5 memorable moments from the KXIP vs KKR match that don’t fade away

The Knight Riders are almost certain to finish in the top 4 of this year’s IPL. However, there is still a lot of work to do for the Kings XI to qualify for the playoffs. But they are giving it their best shot and might just be able to pull it off.

Batting first, Punjab put up a total of 167 with the help of some good work from Glenn Maxwell and Wriddhiman Saha. In response, the Knight Riders started off very well, but ultimately failed to cross the finish line courtesy some excellent fielding and death bowling from the Kings.

Extra Cover: IPL 2017, KXIP vs KKR: Player Ratings

Here are 5 memorable moments from the match that don't fade away, quite like the Axe Signature range of body perfumes.

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#1 Glenn Maxwell’s fury

This Indian Premier League has been a good one for Maxwell in terms of bowling. The Punjab skipper has been clever with the ball in his hand and most batsmen have found it difficult to face him. However, with the bat, it has been a quiet tournament for the Australian.

But tonight was a welcome exception for the Punjab fans as Maxwell’s destructive innings at the end helped Punjab put up a commendable score. With the help of four sixes and a boundary, the skipper smacked 44 runs off just 25 balls and took his team to a respectable 167.

#2 Saha’s support

Saha played a crucial knock

While Glenn Maxwell’s innings was adorned with fury, his wrath was perfectly complemented by Wriddhiman Saha’s calm and composed innings of 38 runs. Saha might not have been in the limelight in this year’s IPL, but he has been one of the few consistently reliable players for Punjab.

In tonight’s game, he played a supporting role to Maxwell as his hard-earned 38 runs came from 33 balls with the help of 2 boundaries and a six.

#3 Lynnsanity

Lynn was amongst the runs yet again

Oh, how we have waited to use this word! Now, we finally can after the Australian displayed his brilliance with the bat. Despite the Knight Riders ultimately losing the game, Chris Lynn’s innings was an incredible one.

His innings lasted 52 balls. In that period, he smacked eight boundaries and three sixes to score 84. At one point, despite wickets continuously falling at the other end, it seemed like he would carry his team to victory until…

#4 The runout

Axar Patel’s brilliant piece of fielding turned the match on its head

Kolkata Knight Riders weren’t entirely cruising to victory. In fact, if anything, they were stuttering towards the target. However, Chris Lynn’s terrific form meant that the Knight Riders had the upper hand despite losing wickets at regular intervals.

However, right after Manish Pandey was caught in the deep, Lynn fell prey to some brilliant fielding from Axar Patel. The left-arm spinner was blazing fast to get to the ball and was even quicker to release it – and, oh boy, was he accurate!

His throw was right near the stumps; all Saha had to do was grab it and smash the stumps – and he did just that, changing the course of the game, which ultimately led to Punjab’s win.

#5 Mohit Sharma’s unreal spell

Mohit Sharma picked up three wickets

One of the key reasons for Kolkata stuttering throughout their batting in this game was some fine bowling from former Chennai Super Kings bowler, Mohit Sharma. He might have been among the expensive bowlers in the match, giving away 24 runs in his 3 overs, but almost every ball in his spell was a display of divine death bowling that every youngster could learn from.

Be it the back-of-the-hand slower ones or the knuckleball, he executed them all with near-perfect line and length. It was the pressure of not being able to score against him that ultimately led to KKR’s demise and earned him the Man of the Match award as he grabbed three wickets as well.