IPL 5: Kolkata vs Punjab statistical highlights

 

New Delhi: Statistical highlights of the IPL 5 match between Kings XI Punjab and Kolkata Knight Riders.

 Kolkata Knight Riders have equalled their previous best win against Kings XI Punjab in the IPL. They had won by eight wickets at Eden Gardens, Kolkata on April 30, 2011. 

 Kings XI Punjab (124/7) have registered their second lowest total against Kolkata Knight Riders - the lowest being 119 for six at Eden Gardens, Kolkata on April 30, 2011.

 Gautam Gambhir (66 not out) has recorded his 21st fifty in his 100th Twenty20 game - his 12th in the IPL.

 Gambhir's runs' tally of 1654 at an average of 32.43 in 61 matches is the fifth highest in the IPL, next only to Raina (1925), Tendulkar (1739), Gilchrist (1702) and Rohit Sharma (1666).

 Gambhir, during the course of his aforesaid innings, has completed his 500 runs for Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL, totalling 557 at an average of 34.81 in 21 matches, including four fifties.

 Gambhir has celebrated his 100th game in Twenty20 with his sixth Man of the Match award - his fifth in the IPL

 Kolkata have won three games and lost three out of six played in the present tournament.

 Kings XI Punjab have won two and lost three out of five contested in the IPL 5.

 Kolkata Knight Riders' convincing eight-wicket triumph is their fifth in nine games against Kings XI Punjab in the IPL.

 Adam Gilchrist (40 not out off 30 balls) has posted his highest innings in the present tournament.

 Gilchrist took his runs' tally in the IPL to 1702 at an average of 27.01 in 65 games.

 Mandeep Singh has managed 112 runs (ave.22.40) in five matches - the most by a Punjab batsman in the 2012 edition of the IPL.

 Brett Lee (2/19) has recorded his second best bowling performance in the IPL - the best being 3 for 15 for Punjab against Delhi at Bloemfontein on May 15, 2009.

 With eight wickets at 11.75 in four matches, Sunil Narine is the leading wicket-taker for Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL 2012

 Piyush Chawla has taken his  wickets' tally to 64 at an average of 23.54 in 60 games in the IPL.  Only Malinga (70), RP Singh (66), Mishra (65) and Munaf Patel (65) have captured more wickets than Chawla.

Statistical highlights of Kings XI Punjab-Kolkata Knight Riders IPL match


MOHALI: Statistical highlights of the IPL match between Kings XI Punjab and Kolkata Knight Riders: 

 With eight wickets at 11.75 in four matches, Sunil Narine is the top wicket-taker for Kolkata in the IPL 2012 

 Piyush Chawla took his wickets' tally to 64 at an average of 23.54 in 60 games in the IPL. Only Lasith Malinga (70), RP Singh (66), Amit Mishra (65) and Munaf Patel (65) have claimed more wickets than Chawla. 

 Gautam Gambhir (66 not out off 44 balls) is the leading run-getter in the present competition for Kolkata - 179 (ave.35.80) in six matches. 

 Gambhir posted his 21st fifty in his 100th Twenty20 game - his 12th in the IPL. He celebrated his 100th Twenty20 game by receiving his sixth Man of the Match award - his fifth in the IPL. 

 Gambhir has managed 1654 runs at an average of 32.43 in 61 matches - the fifth highest tally in the IPL, next only to Suresh Raina (1925), Sachin Tendulkar (1739), Adam Gilchrist (1702) and Rohit Sharma (1666). 

 Gambhir, for Kolkata Knight Riders, has completed his 500 runs in the IPL, aggregating 557 at an average of 34.81 in 21 matches, including four fifties. 

 Kolkata Knight Riders have equalled their previous largest victory against Kings XI Punjab in the IPL. 

 Punjab (124/7) have recorded their second lowest total against Kolkata - the lowest is 119 for six at Eden Gardens, Kolkata on April 30, 2011. 

 Kolkata have won three matches and lost three out of six played in the present competition. 

 Punjab have won two and lost three out of five played in the IPL 5. 

 Adam Gilchrist (40 not out off 30 balls) recorded his highest innings in IPL 5. He took his tally in the IPL to 1702 at an average of 27.01 in 65 matches. 

 Brett Lee (2/19) produced his second best bowling performance in the IPL - his best is 3 for 15 for Punjab against Delhi at Bloemfontein on May 15, 2009.

RR vs KKR: Rajasthan Royals crush Knight Riders to win two in a row

JAIPUR: Riding high on brilliant knocks from Brad Hodge and Ashok Menaria and a disciplined execution by the bowlers, Rajasthan Royals thrashed Kolkata Knight by 22 runs to make two in a row in the fifth edition Indian premier League. 



Chasing a stiff target, Kolkata Knight Riders were bundled out for 142 to concede an easy win to Rajasthan Royals in the seventh match of the IPL at Sawai Mansingh stadium. 

After Hodge and Menaira powered the hosts to 164/5, Kolkata got off to a worst start as they lost four quick wickets inside six overs with just 25 runs on the board. 

Rajasthan pacer Amit Singh dealt two consecutive blows to KKR in the form of South African veteran Jacques Kallis and skipper Gautam Gambhir in the second over. 

Kallis (5) was the first to depart caught by Rajasthan skipper Rahul Dravid at mid-off while trying to clear the region. Gambhir (0) followed suit the very next ball when Amit bowled a beauty that angled away after pitching as KKR skipper poked at it helplessly to glovesman Shreevats Goswami behind the stumps. 

Spinner Ankit Chavan further compounded the misery for KKR when he dismissed New Zealander Brendon McCullum leg before for just two runs. 

Debabrata Das (12) too departed early bowled by West Indian Cooper as Kolkata were left reeling at 25 for four. 

Talented Tiwary and explosive Pathan tried to resurrect the innings and forged a 41-run stand for the fifth wicket before the latter was caught by Hodge off Siddharth Trivedi at deep square leg. 

Earlier, sent in to bat, Royals' Ajinkya Rahane, who scored 98 in their win over Kings XI Punjab, was run-out by a direct throw from skipper Gambhir stationed at mid-off. Even a dive couldn't save Rahane who was found atleast a yard short. 

Rajasthan skipper Rahul Dravid started in right earnest when he hooked Lee for a six and then hit him for a four. 

Off-spinner Sunil Narine making his IPL debut was hit over fine leg for a six. 

Dravid hit 24-ball 26 helped by two sixes and an equal numbers of fours before he became another run out victim. 

Goswami, who looked good for his 18-ball 23, could not capitalise on the start as he was cleaned up by Bhatia while trying to drive it through the covers. 

The loss of two wickets somewhat put brakes on the scoring rate of Rajasthan as both Hodge and Menaria started dealing in singles and doubles to keep scoreboard ticking. 

Hodge broke the shackles in the 14th over bowled by Pathan when he hit the bowler for two huge sixes and a four to knock 17 runs from that over and took Rajasthan past the 100-run mark. 

He then hit Kallis for two consecutive fours in the next over. 

Lee, who was called back for his second spell, put an end to Hodge's exploits when the Victorian was caught by wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum while trying to play a pre-determined reverse scoop. 

New man in Shah made his intentions clear from the outset as he first hit Kallis for three fours and then clobbered Lee for a six and a four to take Rajasthan past 150-run mark. 

Menaria was bowled by Lee in the 19th over when he tried to go high over the cover region but missed the hit.

Knight Riders' coach hints at changes for Wednesday's match


MOHALI: Admitting that the batting has been the weak link so far, Kolkata Knight Riderscoach Trevor Bayliss on Tuesday indicated that there might be some changes when his team takes on Kings XI Punjab in the Indian Premier League match on Wednesday. 

"I don't think we batted anywhere near our best. Bangalore was our best effort with the bat (which KKR won by 42 runs). If we could bat more like that in the competition, we are going to be difficult to beat," Bayliss said at the press conference on the eve of the match. 

The batsmen are yet to create an impression and the coach said that there would be some changes in the line-up. 

"I haven't seen the wicket here. Last game that was played here, we watched it on TV and the wicket was different than what we got in Kolkata. 

"We will sit down tonight or early tomorrow morning and discuss. But there is a possibility of some change. I cannot say where that will be (whether middle order or somewhere else), but we will have to discuss," said Bayliss, adding that his top order batsmen need to play some big knocks. 

The Knight Riders have a strong batting line up, consisting of the likes of Jacques Kallis, Gautam Gambhir, Manoj Tiwary, Shakib-al-Hasan and Yusuf Pathan. But none of them have managed to live up to the reputation yet. 

When asked about Pathan's continuous failure with the bat, the coach strongly came to his defence, saying he is a "match-winner and a batsman who can change the complexion of the game within minutes". 

Bayliss also said that Yusuf has the full support of the team and it was just a matter of time before he gets back to his devastating form. 

The Knight Riders suffered consecutive defeats in the first two games of the IPL 5 due to their batting collapse. They lost by eight wickets to Delhi Daredevils before succumbing to a 22-run defeat to Rajasthan Royals. 

However, they won their next two matches before going down again to Punjab in the last game. 

The Knight Riders lost their last game against the Kings XI Punjab by a narrow two-run margin and Bayliss felt that nine out of ten times his team should have won. 

Bayliss though said he was happy with his bowling unit. "Our bowlers have done well in five matches. It is our batting that has let us down. Balaji, Sunil Narine, Brett Lee and even Kallis has done a good job. (Bangladeshi) Shakib had a good game. We are very happy with our bowling," he insisted. 

Asked about Iqbal Abdullah not being a part of the team, Bayliss said, "It's a very difficult situation. He obviously performed well last season. With the advent of Sunil Narine coming on board, it makes it more difficult for him (to be included in playing XI). 

"But as I have said that we will play different combinations on different wickets. So I see him playing a role in this competition. He understands there are some very good players in the squad. This time, he is the unlucky one, but I am sure he will get to play his role at some stage." 

Asked why KKR had lost close matches despite being a strong team, Bayliss said, "That's the game of T20. You've got to take it on your chin. Some you lose, some you win. But it is always harder to win the close ones when you are not on the top of your game. 

"That's what we are working towards achieving, which I am sure every team strives for. And when you reach that point, you try to keep playing well for as long as possible." 

He also said that the beauty of T20 competition is that anybody can beat anybody and there are some last-ball finishes, which is fantastic for the game and the fans. 

Asked if hectic travel schedules, different match conditions at different venues take a toll even on quality players, the Bayliss said: "They have to reinforce in their minds that they are good players. It's a matter of time and concentration, they will come good. 

"Things can click straight away once they spend some time in the middle. These guys are experienced enough and can turn around things very quickly."

• I want to fix the world: Gayle

  RCB batsman smacks a few sixes off the field

  
  

  

  
  

  He smothers the leather off a cricket ball for fun. He likes to groove on the dance floor after a hard day on the field. He tattoos fancy designs on his body when he’s bored. And he doesn’t mind a bit of bling on himself, in the form of glittering accessories and embellished clothing.

  
  Chris Gayle is the quintessential Jamaican cricketer with swagger written all over him. A predator with a bat in his hand, Gayle transforms into a cool dude off the field. Iplt20.com caught up with the hottest star of the Royal Challengers Bangalore for a fun-filled rapid fire Q&A session. Here’s what we got:
  
  The hardest hitter of the cricket ball in the world is Chris Gayle.
  
  One thing I cannot live without is money.
  
  My motto in life is pretty simple. Live life to the fullest.
  
  I don’t have a particular style statement. What defines me is that I’m a cool guy to be around.
  
  Leon Garrick is my best friend in cricket. He’s from Jamaica as well and played one Test and three ODIs for the West Indies. He’s retired now.
  
  My favourite non-cricketing sportsperson is Cristiano Ronaldo and Usain Bolt. It was good fun playing cricket with Bolt once. He bowled to me and got me out. That made the experience special for him.
  
  The toughest bowler I’ve faced till date is Lasith Malinga.
  
  The easiest bowler would be Kevin Pietersen.
  
  My most memorable cricketing moment was the triple-century (333) I scored against Sri Lanka.
  
  The shot I love playing the most is the six straight down the ground.
  
  If I weren’t a cricketer, I’d be a footballer. I’d be a striker just like Ronaldo.
  
  My dream vehicle is the BMW convertible.
  
  If I could get one superpower, I’d like to be invisible – the man that nobody can see. I’d be invisible and fix the world.
  
  On a deserted island, I’d like to be with my family and lovely girlfriend.

The first two weeks of IPL season 5 have seen some excellent individual performances by the Knights. Gautam Gambhir played a captain’s knock of 64 (49b) against RCB which set his boys up for their 1^st win of the tournament. Gauti came in to open the innings for the first time this season and showed his class and composure, playing every shot in the book to take the game out of RCB’s hands. He was supported ably by Manvinder Bisla, who was at his aggressive best, smashing 46 runs off 29 balls in a partnership with Gambhir that set the Knights up for a big total.

Lakshmipathy Balaji shone with the ball against RCB, delivering what the skipper later called the best T20 bowling performance he had ever seen. ‘The Smiling Assassin’ finished with 4/18 and was given the Man of the Match award in his first game of the season. He followed this up with another good display in the Knight’s match against Rajasthan Royals.

Shakib Al Hasan was the star of the match for KKR in their home game against the Royals. The Bangladeshi all rounder was unplayable on the day and picked up 3/17 in his 4 overs. When the Knights were under pressure in their chase, he walked in and coolly smashed 16 runs off just 10 balls to guide the Knights home in a tight finish. The fans expected nothing less from the one of the best all rounders in the modern game.

All eyes were on the mystery spinner Sunil Narine on a turning Eden track when the Knights took on KXIP on 15^th April and he did not disappoint, unleashing his giant bag of tricks to leave the KXIP batsmen searching for answers. He delivered the best bowling performance by a Knight in the history of the IPL, getting 5 wickets for just 19 runs off his 4 overs. Narine was given the Man of the Match award for his display in this match.

Rajat Bhatia has been deceiving batsmen with his clever variations in pace from the very first match. Against the Kings XI Punjab, Bhatia did not concede a single boundary in his 4 overs and picked up 2 wickets for just 14 runs.

Debabrata Das has also shown glimpses of his talent, with some powerful hitting in the matches against Delhi and Punjab at home. He will be disappointed not to have finished the game off against Punjab after top scoring for his team with a well compiled 35 runs off 23 balls. The fans are looking forward to the exciting young local lad making his mark in the tournament with some solid performances.

The new season has seen the Knights put in some good performances over the first 10 days and the camaraderie between the players and coaches has been obvious. The Knight’s unit consists of some legendary names looked up to by an entire generation of cricketers and fans who have played their part in guiding the youngsters along.

Coach Bayliss has developed a great professional relationship with Gautam Gambhir and feels that both of them have a similar approach to the game which will benefit the team immensely going forward. Shakib Al Hasan, currently ranked as the world’s best all rounder, cites the influences of Gambhir and Kallis in his approach to the game. All the players have been receiving advice from Dr.Rudi Webster, the West Indian mental skills coach who is no stranger to dressing rooms filled with top quality cricketers in search of those slight changes to their approach that can make all the difference. After his incredible performance against RCB, L Balaji was quick to credit Wasim Akram and Brett Lee for their role in guiding the other bowlers. The coaches have been working hard on building a strong team spirit, both on and off the field.

The international players have also developed a strong connection with the city of Kolkata and its fans. Brendon McCullum has spoken of his admiration for the support the Knights receive every time they step out on the pitch. Ryan ten Doeschate, who scored a magnificent 100 at Eden Gardens for Netherlands during the 2011 World Cup, has said “There's no place like India, and particularly Kolkata, for playing cricket.” The fans have played their part, pushing the team to give their best in every situation. Kolkata has been turned purple and gold on every match day so far and the fans will be looking forward to cheering their Knights on for the five remaining home games.