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PIX: Ferguson's Super spell helps KKR edge past SRH

Last updated on: October 18, 2020 22:01 IST

Images from Sunday's IPL match between Kolkata Knight Riders and SunRisers Hyderabad, in Abu Dhabi.

Lockie Ferguson celebrates the wicket of David Warner in the Super Over

IMAGE: Kolkata Knight Riders pacer Lockie Ferguson celebrates the wicket of SunRisers Hyderabad captain David Warner in the Super Over of the Indian Premier League match, in Abu Dhabi, on Sunday. Photograph: BCCI/IPL

Lockie Ferguson produced one of the most incredible bowling performances in this edition of the Indian Premier League to earn Kolkata Knight Riders a thrilling Super Over victory over SunRisers Hyderabad, in Abu Dhabi, on Sunday.

 

The New Zealand fast bowler was Kolkata’s man of the moment. He did everything right from his first delivery in the match, his pace proving too hot.

He dismissed SunRisers captain David Warner and Abdul Samad in the Super Over, leaving the Knight Riders with just three runs to chase for victory.

Lockie Ferguson celebrates the wicket of Priyam Garg

IMAGE: Lockie Ferguson exults after bowling Priyam Garg. Photograph: BCCI/IPL

This was after Jonny Bairstow's 36 and Warner's unbeaten 47, and 18 runs off the final over by Andre Russell, saw SunRisers tie the scores at 163 in the stipulated 20 overs.

Ferguson was magnificent during the 20 overs also. His spell of 3 for 15 from four overs had SunRisers in all sorts of trouble.

He bowled a brilliant first spell in which he dismissed Kane Williamson (29) with a short delivery, got rid of Priyam Garg (4) with a slower one and saw the back of Manish Pandey (6) with a yorker.

KKR players celebrate after Lockie Ferguson dismisses Kane Williamson

IMAGE: KKR players celebrate after Lockie Ferguson dismisses Kane Williamson. Photograph: BCCI/IPL

When the latter was dismissed, the SunRisers were reeling at 82 for 4 in the 12th over. But Warner and Samad rallied the side.

Ferguson's five wickets in the game got Kolkata the much-needed two points which swelled their tally to 10.

SunRisers stay put on six points and are in danger of missing out of the play-offs.

Priyam Garg takes the catch to dismiss KKR opener Shubman Gill

IMAGE: SunRisers Hyderabad’s Priyam Garg takes the catch to dismiss Kolkata Knight Riders opener Shubman Gill during the IPL match, in Abu Dhabi, on Sunday. Photograph: BCCI/IPL

Earlier, Dinesh Karthik's carefree approach was well-complemented by skipper Eoin Morgan's grace as Kolkata Knight Riders posted a par 163 for 5 against a disciplined SunRisers attack.

Karthik (29 not out) and Morgan (34 off 23 balls) joined forces at 105 for four and added 58 runs in the last five overs after 150 looked a tall order at one stage.

Morgan's innings had three fours and a flicked six over mid-wicket off Basil Thampi while former captain Karthik hit a couple of sixes and an equal number of boundaries.

Eoin Morgan with Dinesh Karthik

IMAGE: Eoin Morgan and Dinesh Karthik during their partnership. Photograph: BCCI/IPL

T Natarajan (2/40) was the most successful bowler but it was Vijay Shankar (1/20 in 4 overs) who was the most economical.

Rahul Tripathi (23 off 15 balls) gave the first charge in the Powerplay as he hit Natarajan for a straight six and a pulled boundary, while Shubman Gill (36 off 37 balls) struggled to time the ball, save an over from Thampi when he got three successive fours.

SunRisers Hyderabad players celebrate the wicket of Rahul Tripathi

IMAGE: Sunrisers Hyderabad players celebrate the wicket of Rahul Tripathi. Photograph: BCCI/IPL

Tripathi couldn't maintain the momentum as an ugly cross-batted hoick off Natarajan only ended up with the bails flying off.

However, Gill, after those flurry of fours, found it difficult to up the ante.

Nitish Rana (29 off 19 balls) looked in good nick after a gap of few games. He straight away took on the SunRisers best bowler Rashid Khan and deposited him straight for a six and also found a couple of boundaries.

Thangarasu Natarajan celebrates after taking the wicket of Andre Russell

IMAGE: Thangarasu Natarajan celebrates after taking the wicket of Andre Russell. Photograph: BCCI/IPL

But Gill's inability to rotate strike put the Knight Riders in a spot of bother. He tried an inside-out lofted shot off Rashid and Priyam Garg, running towards his left from long-off, took a brilliant diving catch to see the opener's back.

Gill's dismissal was followed by that of Rana, who mis-timed a shot off Vijay Shankar and was again caught by Garg, who ran forward to take a well-judged catch.

Andre Russell's (9 off 11 balls) season just went from bad to worse as his shot off Natarajan's slower one landed in the hands of Shankar at deep mid-wicket boundary.

From a stable 87 for 1 in the 12th over, Kolkata Knight Riders slumped to 105 for 4 at the end of the 15th over, but Morgan and Karthik hit a few boundaries at the end to give the team a healthy total.