SHARJAH–West Indies off-spinner Sunil Narine produced a typically thrifty spell to help strangle Royal Challengers Bangalore and earn Kolkata Knight Riders a surprise two-run win in the Indian Premier League here yesterday.
Pursuing a modest total of 151 for victory, Royal Challengers were 122 for two in the 16th over but made a mess of the run chase to come up short at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
They required what should have been an easy nine runs off the last over but AB de Villiers (11) and fellow South African Albie Morkel (six not out) failed to get the ball away, in a tight over from seamer Vinay Kumar.
Narine had earlier sent down four overs for just 17 runs, and claimed the prized wicket of the in-form Virat Kohli for 31 from 23 balls. Kohli struck four fours but missed one that spun back between bat and pad and clipped the top of off-stump.
Opener Yogesh Takawale top scored with 40 from 28 balls while Yuvraj Singh chipped in with a slow 31 from 34 balls. West Indies star Chris Gayle remained sidelined with injury and is yet to turn out for RCB.
Earlier, Australian Chris Lynn led Kolkata with 45 while all-rounder Jacques Kallis made 43, after they were sent in by RCB.
A stunning catch by Lynn in the final over turned things around.
At the start of the over with two renowned finishers, AB de Villiers and Albie Morkel, in the middle, Royal Challengers were favourites.
Nine runs were needed, and Narine and Morne Morkel, had bowled out. Kumar delivered an over filled with full deliveries that kept his old team down to six, sparking delirious celebrations from the Knight Riders camp.
However, it was Lynn who everyone will be talking about after he took a preposterous, acrobatic catch to send back de Villiers and turn the game in the final over.
De Villiers was looking to clear the long boundary at midwicket and though he connected well, there wasn't enough to clear the rope. He might still have survived, as Lynn slipped before the ball got to him. That didn't deter Lynn, who leapt up and plucked the powerful hit bending his back like a high-jumper, and flopped to the ground, somehow managing it all without touching the rope which was a yard behind.
After de Villiers' exit Royal Challengers needed six off two, not entirely out of reach, especially for a hitter like Morkel. But the catch left Royal Challengers stunned, and even though the final delivery was a hittable full toss, Morkel couldn't put it away, and Knight Riders' jailbreak was complete.
scores
Kolkata Knight Riders 150 for 7 (Lynn 45, Kallis 43, Aaron 3-16) beat Royal Challengers Bangalore 148 for 5 (Takawale 40) by two runs
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