attempted slower cutter outside off, Pandey jumps down the track, takes it on the half-volley and mows it over the man at long-on. Eighth successive win for KKR v Kings XI
Kings XI vs KKR, 11th match at Kolkata, Apr 13 2017 - Ball by Ball Commentary
KKR won by 8 wickets (with 21 balls remaining)
11.20pm Chris Lynn was out injured and popular opinion was that Uthappa should be reunited with Gambhir at the top. Instead, Narine walked out to open with Gambhir. It wasn't really a surprise, given Narine had opened three times for Melbourne Renegades in the BBL. Narine was also among the top six-hitters in the PSL. After a few plays and misses, Narine unleashed his favourite leg-side swats, while Gambhir played more orthodox shots. KKR moved to 76, their best score in the Powerplay. Narine and Uthappa fell, but Gambhir stayed till the end to seal the 171 chase with eight wickets and 21 balls to spare.
Maxwell, Kings XI captain: I thought we had a chance with 170, the ball was swinging and seaming. We had an extra quick. I was not surprised by Narine opening the batting, he has done it in the Big Bash. They got away from us and that opening partnership basically took the wind out of us. One poor over where we lost three wickets, then we lost our way. We will have to regroup for Delhi.
Gambhir, orange-cap holder and Knight Riders captain: This is a beautiful wicket to bat on and we had some quality fast bowlers. Umesh coming back made it easy for us. I need to start trusting Narine with the bat now! He is a quality bowler, and the leader of the attack irrespective of the conditions. Narine can hit a big ball, we have a long batting line-up, and so we sent Sunil in at the top. He won't face many balls at No. 9 anyway.
Narine, Man of the Match: It came off today. Some days it might not. Yes, I enjoyed batting [shades of WG Grace in your batting?] I opened there at the BBL, and today I said 'anything for the team'. I just try to keep things simple with my bowling. Just stick to the basics.
This is Narine's first Man-of-the-match award in the IPL since 2014. That is all we have for you from this match. Do come back for the double-header tomorrow. Until then, goodbye and good night.
Deepnash: "That 3 wicket over from Umesh Yadav made the difference in the end"
another slower delivery outside off, even slower at 105ks, asks Pandey to reach out wide outside off. Guided to point
slower offcutter outside off, 107ks, moves away, Gambhir squirts to cover
low full-toss on off, punched down to long-on
short of a length and outside off, square-cut away to the right of Miller at point now
Miller, at backward point, is claiming a catch. Umpires Llong and Deshmukh converge and refer it to the TV umpire. The soft signal is not out. Wide yorker, Gambhir angles his bat and aims to squeeze it away. The ball hit the ground before Miller grabbed it
off-stump yorker, accurate stuff, dug out to cover
length and outside off, now it's Pandey's turn to chop a single to third man
back of a length and outside off, guided to third man
seam-up, length ball on the hips, which is chipped over midwicket
seam-up, full on middle and leg, clipped away through midwicket
another slower ball, 103ks, barely rises up to the hip. Pandey swivels on the back foot and banishes this legcutter to the square leg boundary
full offcutter outside off from the front of the hand, dabbed in the direction of third man
Jasir: "Gambhir can take motivation from the comeback of Yuvraj who is 35 like himself, and has really taken over the short bowling and returned with a bang!"
Khan: "David Warner missed by 1 run yesterday.."
back of a length and outside off, Pandey opens the face and steers a single down to third man
slower cutter, hip-high ball on the off stump, which is swatted away to deep square leg
floated up pretty full and outside off - right in the slot for the drive - Pandey presses forward and eases it through the covers
full and straight, clipped away to deep midwicket
Gambhir backs away outside leg, this arm ball bounces, Gambhir late-cuts it past the left shoulder of Saha
arm ball, slides in, nurdled to backward square leg
flighted on the leg stump, no turn, slugged away to deep midwicket
Over 17 • KKR 171/2
KKR won by 8 wickets (with 21 balls remaining)