IPL 2017 score update: Raina, Karthik throttle GL to 183/4
- Suresh Raina scored a gritty half-century with the luck on his side.
- KKR dropped a couple of catches as they were sloppy on the field.
FollowGujarat Lions would probably be thinking that they fell short by 15 -- 20 runs as they could have gotten those extra runs if they would have capitalised on the start they got through Jason Roy and Brendon McCullum right at the top of the order. The run rate was hovering around 9 runs an over in the powerplay and the Lions got 52 runs in the first six overs. The way McCullum and skipper Suresh Raina were batting, for a moment it looked like they are going to put up a score somewhere close to that 200-run mark. But unfortunately that did not happen.
Kolkata Knight Riders pulled things back brilliantly in the middle overs with the help of their slower bowlers, especially Piyush Chawla and Kuldeep Yadav. Kuldeep was the pick of the bowlers who picked up two crucial wickets of McCullum and Aaron Finch. Kuldeep finished with the figures of 4-0-25-2. Sunil Narine and Chawla also bowled well but did not make much of an impact.
A late flourish from Raina and Dinesh Karthik powered Gujarat Lions to 183 runs on wicket that hardly has anything for the bowlers. The partnership between Raina and Karthik turned out to be impeccable. The duo added 87 runs from just 57 balls. But Raina has had his share of luck in this game as KKR were sloppy on the field. He could have gotten out if not Yusuf Pathan had dropped him in the deep. Raina remained not out on 68* from 51 balls. Karthik on the other end, scored a quick-fire 47 from just 25 balls.
KKR will have to bat really well to get those runs on a pitch that is taylor-made for batsmen. The conditions will suit the batsmen as the ball is coming nicely on to the bat. However, KKR have a good strong batting lineup and if they believe in themselves, they can go over the line. We are in for a thriller here ladies and gentlemen! Don't go anywhere. KKR need 184 runs to win in 20 overs.
Brief scores:
Gujarat Lions 183/4 in 20 overs - Suresh Raina 68*, Dinesh Karthik 47 | Kuldeep Yadav -- 4-0-25-2.
