Indian Premier League 2020 | KXIP snatches win from under SRH’s nose

Defending 126, Jordan and Arshdeep do the star turn as Rahul’s men continue their ascent

Murugan Ashwin of Kings XI Punjab celebrates the wicket of Jonny Bairstow of Sunrisers Hyderabad during Indian Premier League (IPL) match between Kings XI Punjab and the Sunrisers Hyderabad, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai on Oct. 24, 2020

Chris Jordan’s three for 17 helped Kings XI Punjab defend the lowest total — 126 — this edition and edge past Sunrisers Hyderabad by 12 runs at the Dubai International Stadium on Saturday.

With SRH needing 17 off the last two overs, KXIP captain K.L. Rahul took a gamble and bowled Jordan in the penultimate over.

The Englishman vindicated the decision, conceding just three and picking up the wickets of Jason Holder and Rashid Khan off successive deliveries.

The slide

Arshdeep Singh (three for 23) then defended 14 off the final over as SRH slipped to 114 all out after being 56 for no loss at one stage.

It was Arshdeep’s dismissal of Vijay Shankar in the 18th over that opened the floodgates after SRH had remained in the chase for most part. Jonny Bairstow (19, 20b, 4x4) and David Warner (35, 20b, 3x4, 2x6) infused urgency, adding 56.

Warner was out caught-behind off Ravi Bishnoi (one for 13) after a referral. Bairstow and Abdul Samad fell soon after.

Manish Pandey and Shankar arrested the slide with a 33-run fourth-wicket stand. But once they fell, the KXIP bowlers took over and delivered the team’s fourth consecutive victory.

Slow start

Earlier, Rashid (4-0-14-2) spearheaded an incisive bowling performance for SRH after it asked KXIP to bat. Rahul (27, 27b, 2x4, 1x6) and Mandeep Singh — opening the innings in the absence of Mayank Agarwal — were off to a slow start.

Sandeep had Mandeep caught at deep square-leg for his 100th IPL wicket. Chris Gayle started with a couple of boundaries, but T. Natarajan (none for 23), Rashid and Holder (two for 27) kept the batsmen on a tight leash.

The pressure eventually told when Gayle and Rahul fell off successive deliveries, leaving KXIP struggling at 69 for three after 11 overs. Nicholas Pooran and Glenn Maxwell were watchful, but before the duo could shift gears, Sandeep dismissed Maxwell in the 14th over.

Pooran’s rescue act

When Rashid had Deepak Hooda stumped by Bairstow four balls later, KXIP was in a spot of bother. The otherwise free-stroking Pooran remained unbeaten on 32 off 28 balls (2x4), his cautious innings proving the difference in the end.

The day in numbers

Second lowest total defended by KXIP in the IPL after the 119 against MI in 2009.

This is the lowest target SRH has failed to achieve in the tournament. It had faltered while chasing 137 versus MI in 2019.

SRH lost its last seven wickets for just 14 runs to slump from 100/3 to 114 all out.