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IPL 2021, Qualifier 2 Live Updates: Rahul Tripathi’s on strike for the hat-trick ball, and once again goes for the slog like Narine before him, only this time he connects from the middle of his bat, clearing the long off fence in style as KKR knock DC out and keep their fairytale campaign going with a thrilling three-wicket win! Preview: The 2021 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) gears up for its second last match as two-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) take on last year’s runner-up Delhi Capitals (DC) in Qualifier 2 in Sharjah on Wednesday. While both teams have been consistent in the UAE leg of IPL 2021 to eventually make it to the playoffs, the Eoin Morgan-led KKR deserve special credit for turning things around spectacularly in recent weeks, for they faced the prospect of being among the first teams to get eliminated around the time the league got suspended in May. Kolkata won five of their seven-remaining games, and beat defending champions Mumbai Indians (MI) to the fourth playoff spot on the basis of superior Net Run Rate after the top three slots had been sealed by DC, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). Kolkata then continued their fairytale run as thanks to a stellar all-round show from Sunil Narine, KKR handed RCB a four-wicket loss to inch closer to their dream of winning a third IPL title and drawing level with the MS Dhoni-led CSK. [caption id=“attachment_10052631” align=“alignnone” width=“640”]
File image of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) captain Eoin Morgan and his Delhi Capitals counterpart Rishabh Pant. Sportzpics[/caption] Delhi, have once again been impressive this season after their playoffs finish in 2019 followed by their maiden appearance in the final the following year. While they finished on top of the points table at the end of the round-robin stage with 10 wins from 14 games, they have hit a roadblock of sorts with defeats in their last two games — against RCB in their final league game followed by a four-wicket loss to CSK in Qualifier 1. Momentum, thus will be on KKR’s side heading into the penultimate game of the season, but skipper Rishabh Pant and coach Ricky Ponting will back themselves to shrug off the defeats and come out stronger, especially with a world-class pace attack at their disposal along with the promising form of batters such as Prithvi Shaw, Shreyas Iyer, Shimron Hetmyer in addition to the captain himself. Teams (from): Delhi Capitals: Rishabh Pant (captain), Ajinkya Rahane, Prithvi Shaw, Ripal Patel, Shikhar Dhawan, Shimrom Hetmyar, Shreyas Iyer, Steve Smith, Amit Mishra, Anrich Nortje, Avesh Khan, Ben Dwarshuis, Ishant Sharma, Kagiso Rabada, Kulwant Khejroliya, Lukman Meriwala, Pravin Dubey, Tom Curran, Umesh Yadav, Axar Patel, Lalit Yadav, Marcus Stoinis, Ravichandran Ashwin, Sam Billings and Vishnu Vinod. Kolkata Knight Riders: Eoin Morgan (Captain), Dinesh Karthik, Gurkeerat Singh Mann, Karun Nair, Nitish Rana, Rahul Tripathy, Shubman Gill, Harbhajan Singh, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Kuldeep Yadav, Lockie Ferguson, Pawan Negi, M Prasidh Krishna, Sandeep Warrier, Shivam Dube, Tim Southee, Vaibhav Arora, Varun Chakravarthy, Andre Russel, Ben Cutting, Shakib Al Hasan, Sunil Narine, Venkatesh Iyer, Sheldon Jackson, Tim Seifert. Match starts at 7:30 PM IST.
Highlights, IPL 2021, KKR vs DC Qualifier 2, Full Cricket Score: Tripathi's six off penultimate ball wins it for KKR
IPL 2021, Qualifier 2 Live Updates: Rahul Tripathi’s on strike for the hat-trick ball, and once again goes for the slog like Narine before him, only this time he connects from the middle of his bat, clearing the long off fence in style as KKR knock DC out and keep their fairytale campaign going with a thrilling three-wicket win!
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So near, yet so far! Delhi Capitals came so anxiously close to making it back-to-back IPL finals after a terrific fightback from the likes of Nortje, Rabada, Avesh and Ashwin in the slog overs. What seemed like a cakewalk for Kolkata with Iyer and Gill at the crease became increasingly tense with each dismissal. Credit to Delhi for not giving up even when KKR were left needing 13 off 24 with eight wickets in hand. In Rishabh Pant, the DC management have unearthed another able leader after Shreyas Iyer last season, and will hope to come back even stronger.
For Kolkata, they have now made it four wins in as many games and have entered their first final since 2014. Given their 100 percent record in IPL finals, they will certainly be fancying their chances against CSK, a side they beat in the summit clash nine seasons ago under Gautam Gambhir’s captaincy to win their maiden title. Though they will have to look at the late collapse against Delhi and work on those areas if they are to aim for a third title.
We hope you enjoyed our coverage of the second Qualifier. Time for us to bid you all good night. Do join us in our coverage of the final in Dubai two days from now.
After 19.5 overs,Kolkata Knight Riders 136/7 ( Rahul Tripathi 12 , Lockie Ferguson 0)
Tripathi smacks the ball down the ground for a single off the first ball. Shakib’s on strike next up, and looks to slog it towards the leg side, but doesn’t connect. Dot ball! Ashwin traps Shakib LBW in the third, the latter missing an attempted paddle towards fine leg to get trapped plumb leg-before, bringing Narine to the crease with six needed off three. The all-rounder skips down the track and ends up mistiming the slog towards long off, getting caught by Axar with Ashwin getting two in two!
Rahul Tripathi’s on strike for the hat-trick ball, and once again goes for the slog like Narine before him, only this time he connects from the middle of his bat, clearing the long off fence in style as KKR knock DC out and keep their fairytale campaign going with a thrilling three-wicket win!
OUT! Sunil Narine perishes first ball! Tries to win it in style for the Knight Riders, but doesn’t get the distance while looking to clear long off, getting caught by Axar Patel in front of the boundary! Ashwin’s on a hat-trick! KKR 130/7; need 6 off 2
Narine c Patel b Ashwin 0(1)
OUT! Another KKR batsman departs for a duck as Ashwin traps Shakib leg-before in the third ball of the final over! Shakib looked to scoop this over fine leg, but missed and was trapped plumb in front of middle. KKR 130/6; need 6 off 3
Shakib LBW Ashwin 0(2)
After 19 overs,Kolkata Knight Riders 129/5 ( Rahul Tripathi 5 , Shakib Al Hasan 0)
Nortje to bowl the 19th. Tripathi punches a back-of-length ball through cover, where a misfield by Iyer allows him to dash back for a second. Appeal for LBW next ball turned down, though it still is a dot for Delhi. Tripathi pulls down the ground for a single in the third ball, bringing captain Morgan on strike for the first time. Dot off the fourth as a punch by Morgan is intercepted by Axar at cover. Nortje fires one wide outside off in the fifth, putting it out of Morgan’s reach as he misses. Morgan looks to pull the last ball, but ends up chopping it onto the stumps to depart for a three-ball duck. Three runs and a wicket from another brilliant over from Nortje as KKR are left with 7 off 6 with five wickets in hand.
BOWLED! What a fightback this has been from the Delhi Capitals! Now Eoin Morgan chops onto the stumps while looking to hoick over the midwicket region to depart for a three-ball duck! KKR 129/5
Morgan b Nortje 0(3)
After 18 overs,Kolkata Knight Riders 126/4 ( Rahul Tripathi 2 , Eoin Morgan (C) 0)
KG Rabada returns for his final over, and starts off with four dots in as many balls. Suddenly there’s a hint of unease in the KKR camp after a couple of wickets and a few dots. Tripathi cuts a back-of-length ball through point for a single off the penultimate delivery, before Karthik ends up chopping the ball onto his stumps to depart for a three-ball duck. Could KKR pull off the choke of the year from here? Delhi will certainly fancy their chances now with no set batters at the crease and Nortje having an over left. One run and a wicket from Rabada’s final over as he signs off with 2/23. KKR need 10 off 12.
BOWLED! Delhi Capitals are starting to believe again! Dinesh Karthik ends up getting his stumps shattered while looking for a pull towards the midwicket region, chopping the ball onto his stumps. KKR 126/4
Karthik b Rabada 0(3)
After 17 overs,Kolkata Knight Riders 125/3 ( Rahul Tripathi 1 , Dinesh Karthik (W) 0)
Avesh bowls out his final over after the final drinks interval, and adds his name to the wickets column as Gill ends up getting a thick outside edge to Pant while looking to bring up his half-century with a boundary, departing for 46. Two new batters at the crease, with Dinesh Karthik joining Rahul Tripathi, with KKR needing 11 off 18. A late fightback from Delhi, but one that might not matter in the end.
OUT! Shubman Gill falls short of a well-deserved half-century, trying to drive a wide delivery from Avesh to get caught-behind for 46! Tried to bring up the milestone with a glory shot, but ended up paying the price. KKR 125/3
Gill c Pant b Avesh 46(46)
After 16 overs,Kolkata Knight Riders 123/2 ( Shubman Gill 45 , )
Nortje in place of Axar. Single off each of the first three balls before Gill rides the bounce generated by a short delivery from the South African, nailing the tennis forehand-pull over long on to collect his first six of the innings, and bring Kolkata closer to the finish line. Nortje, though, persists with the short ball, with Rana mistiming a hook to get caught by Hetmyer at deep square leg in the last ball as Kolkata lose their 2nd. They need another 13 off 24, with Rahul Tripathi joining Gill at the crease. Second interval signalled.
OUT! Nortje persists with the short ball even after getting smacked for a six by Gill over long on, and sure enough, gets his first wicket as Rana isn’t able to time as sweetly as his partner earlier did. Goes for the hook, but ends up offering Hetmyer a simple catch at deep square leg. Time for the players to have a drink after this wicket. KKR 123/2
Rana c Hetmyer b Nortje 13(12)
After 15 overs,Kolkata Knight Riders 113/1 ( Shubman Gill 37 , Nitish Rana 11)
DROPPED! Ashwin puts down a sitter at third man after Rana goes for another glory shot, slicing a full delivery towards wide third man. Was another needless shot from Rana, similar to the mistimed slog towards long on in the Eliminator against RCB that got him dismissed. This time, he’s been given a lifeline and a chance to finish the game for his side. Five from this over, including two off the last ball thanks to an overthrow. Delhi continuing to gift chances. KKR need 23 off 30.
After 14 overs,Kolkata Knight Riders 108/1 ( Shubman Gill 34 , Nitish Rana 9)
Axar bowls out his final over, conceding 10 off it including a maximum in the fourth delivery as Rana announces himself at the crease with a powerful smash towards the sight screen. The left-arm spinner signs wicketless for 32. Another 28 needed off 36 for KKR from here.
After 13 overs,Kolkata Knight Riders 98/1 ( Shubman Gill 32 , Nitish Rana 1)
Iyer collects a streaky boundary at the start of the over with a thick outside edge that flies past the keeper all the way to third man, but departs the very next ball as the southpaw holes out to substitute Smith at deep square leg, giving Delhi their breakthrough though it might have come a bit too late for their liking. Another left-hander in Nitish Rana joins Gill at the crease, and he gets off the mark with a single off his second delivery. Six runs and a wicket from the over. KKR still in the driver’s seat, needing 38 off 42 with nine wickets in hand. DC need a collapse of epic proportions.
OUT! Delhi finally have their breakthrough, though they fear this might have come a tad too late. Iyer looks to clear the square leg fence with a pull off Rabada, but ends up holing out to Smith in front of the boundary rope. KKR 96/1
Iyer c Smith b Rabada 55(41)
After 12 overs,Kolkata Knight Riders 92/0 ( Shubman Gill 31 , Venkatesh Iyer 51)
Iyer and Gill continue inching closer towards the target with singles, four of them coming in this over as Axar’s third over. Iyer, meanwhile brings up his third half-century in his debut IPL season, taking 38 balls to get to the milestone, and now has more than 300 runs against his name at an average in the mid-40s. KKR need 44 off 48.
After 11 overs,Kolkata Knight Riders 88/0 ( Shubman Gill 29 , Venkatesh Iyer 49)
Throw of the dice from Pant as he brings Nortje back into the attack, the South African having bowled only one so far today. Starts off with a couple of tight deliveries, before the pressure is back on the Capitals as Iyer slices a full delivery towards deep backward point, followed by five wides down the leg side. 12 from over, with Delhi needing a miracle from here if they are to keep their campaign alive.
After 10 overs,Kolkata Knight Riders 76/0 ( Shubman Gill 27 , Venkatesh Iyer 44)
Iyer rocks back and dispatches the ball into the stands beyond deep midwicket at the start of Axar’s second over, easing some of the pressure that was starting to build with the drying up of boundaries after powerplay. An under-pressure Axar then fires a wide down off next ball. Couple of singles added in the remaining deliveries. Nine off the over with the KKR openers collecting more than half of the runs by themselves at the halfway stage. KKR need 60 at run-a-ball.
After 9 overs,Kolkata Knight Riders 67/0 ( Shubman Gill 26 , Venkatesh Iyer 37)
Iyer decides to go big in the first ball of Ashwin’s third, smashing the ball down towards long on though there’s protection in that region to restrict the in-form batter to just one. Wide down the leg side next ball, followed by an inside edge off Gill’s bat towards short fine leg for an easy single. Excellent running between the wickets after Gill scythes towards wide long on in the last ball, challenging themselves against a sharp throw from substitute Steve Smith to complete a double. Six from Ash’s third, and though both batters are well set at the crease, the boundaries have dried up, and that could lead to a bit of impatience.
After 8 overs,Kolkata Knight Riders 61/0 ( Shubman Gill 23 , Venkatesh Iyer 35)
Rabada from a different end. Gill gets a bottom edge while looking to cut the ball square in the third delivery, the ball falling short of Pant’s gloves. Was a length ball that stayed low, thanks to the sluggish wicket. Iyer slices the ball towards wide third man in the fifth delivery after Rabada opts to go full and wide outside off, the ball landing well short of Ashwin to allow the batter an easy single. Five from the over. The KKR openers are cruising at the moment, with 75 needed off 72 after this.
After 7 overs,Kolkata Knight Riders 56/0 ( Shubman Gill 20 , Venkatesh Iyer 33)
Ashwin returns after the interval, with the fielders now spreading out after the end of the powerplay. Iyer and Gill see through Ashwin’s second over of the day, collecting three singles in addition to a brace to Gill in the last ball, deciding against doing anything fancy against the veteran offie.
After 6 overs,Kolkata Knight Riders 51/0 ( Shubman Gill 17 , Venkatesh Iyer 31)
Iyer continues to attack, clipping a length ball from Avesh through the midwicket/mid on region at the start of the over to collect his second four. Single off each of the next two balls, before Iyer collects a brace to bring up the fifty stand with Gill. Gill’s defence is beaten by a ball that stays touch low in the last delivery. Thankfully for the batter, it misses the off pole. Time for the players to have a drink, with KKR very much in the driver’s seat in the chase thanks to a solid powerplay. Delhi need a wicket immediately to give themselves a chance.
After 5 overs,Kolkata Knight Riders 42/0 ( Shubman Gill 16 , Venkatesh Iyer 23)
Another South African introduced into the attack with Kagiso Rabada replacing Khan. Starts off with a back-of-length delivery angled into Gill, who awkwardly chips it aerially towards midwicket where it falls short of the fielder. Iyer, meanwhile, continues to impress, walking down the pitch and lofting KG over long on for his second maximum — a standout achievement by itself — in the third delivery, but nearly perishes two balls later as Rabada puts down a low return catch. Another good over for KKR, with 12 coming from it, including a brace to Gill in the last ball.