KKR to chase 66 runs in 9 overs

Kolkata, May 14: Kolkata Knight Riders spinners spun a web around the Rising Pune Supergiants batsmen as they were left struggling at 103/6 in 17.4 overs when rain halted the Indian Premier League (IPL) game at the Eden Gardens.

The downpour lasted for about an hour but the pitch and the outfield were well covered. After the third inspection at 11.20 p.m, KKR were set a revised target of 66 runs in 9 overs, via the Duckworth/Lewis method.

When rain stopped the contest, Mahendra Singh Dhoni (8) and Ravichandran Ashwin (0) were at the crease for the Supergiants. George Bailey top scored for the visitors with a 27-ball 33. For KKR, Piyush Chawla returned figures of 2/21.

From the outset, the Knights were able to make early inroads into the Supergiants batting order. First to depart was Ajinkya Rahane (2) who tried a wild slog and lost his wicket in the process. Next to head back to the dug out was Australian batsmen Usman Khawaja whose sweep was gobbled up by Suryakumar Yadav at the deep square leg boundary.

In between there were a few hits which travelled to the ropes and after six overs, Pune were placed at 37/2.

Thereafter, Bailey and Saurabh Tiwary slowly but steadily tried to stitch a stand, pinching the ones and twos and clubbing the occasiol boundaries.

However, debutant Ankit Rajpoot broke the 41-run partnership as Tiwary edged one through to wicket-keeper Robin Uthappa in the 10th over. Chawla then deceived Bailey (33) with a flighted legspinner as Uthappa whipped the bails off in a flash.

It was a hostile welcome given by KKR to rival captain Dhoni as his counterpart Gautam Gambhir surrounded him with men around the bat, a sight not often seen in T20 cricket.

The ploy almost worked for the home side as Dhoni nearly played one onto his stumps.

Runs came in singles as KKR further tightened their grip on proceedings. Thereafter Irfan Pathan fell short of his crease as Dhoni called for a cheeky run. The 100 filly came up in the 17th over as Thisara Perera lofted Chawla into the stands, but the very next ball he was out holed out at long on.

Brief Scores: Rising Pune Supergiants 103/6 in 17.4 (George Bailey 33; Piyush Chawla 2/21) vs Kolkata Knight Riders. IANS