IPL 2023: Punjab Kings beat Kolkata Knight Riders by 7 runs

Punjab Kings came up with a comprehensive all-round performance to begin their IPL 2023 campaign with a 7-run win (via Duckworth Lewis and Stern method) over Kolkata Knight Riders in a rain-hit match in Mohali on Saturday, April 1. Shikhar Dhawan and Trevor Bayliss's side laid down an early marker even as they were without 3 of their big overseas stars Jonny Bairstow (ruled out), Liam Livingstone (injury) and Kagiso Rabada (international duty).

Kolkata Knight Riders were 146 for 7 at the end of 16 overs when the rain started pouring down at the IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali. The Kolkata chase began 20 minutes late as the floodlights at the iconic venue failed after Punjab Kings had posted 191 in 20 overs.

Kolkata had all-rounders Shardul Thakur and Sunil Narine in the strike after a big partnership between Andre Russell and Venkatesh Iyer ended. However, they were 7 runs short of the DLS par score.

Arshdeep Singh was the pick of the bowlers as he led the bowling attack from the front, picking up 3 wickets for 19 runs in his 3-over quota. The left-arm pacer, who was having issues with over-stepping in the T20I season earlier in 2023, came up with a disciplined bowling show. He rocked the Kolkata knight Riders chase, removing Mandeep Singh and Anukul Roy in his first over.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who got the opportunity to open for KKR after moving from Gujarat Titans ahead of IPL 2023, went after the Punjab



bowlers but he fell to Nathan Ellis inside the powerplay as the 2-time champions were reeling at 27 for 3.

All eyes were on newly-appointed stand-in captain Nitish Rana and the Delhi left-handed came out all guns blazing, hitting a six and 3 boundaries in his 17-ball 24.

Captain Nitish and Impact Player Venkatesh Iyer stitched a 46-run stand in 30 balls as KKR looked to return to tack in their steep chase. However, the KKR skipper threw his wicket away, hitting a widish delivery from Zimbabwe all-rounder Sikandar Raza.

The asking rate was shooting up when Andre Russell joined Iyer. The two batters came up with a counter-attacking show with the West Indies all-rounder going after the Punjab bowlers. Russell smashed 2 sixes and 3 boundaries for 19-ball 35 but he was not able to carry on and take the game deep.

Russell was out in the 15th over to Sam Curran after he was handed a lifeline when he was batting on 20. Russell was disappointed with himself as he vented out his frustration after letting go off a good start.

Iyer hit a couple of lusty after taking advantage of Nathan Ellis's no-balls in the 14th over was not able to stay till the end as he was out for 34 off 28 balls with Arshdeep picking up his 3rd wicket.

Shardul Thakur showcased his intention right at the start and looked like adding some spice to the chase but the rain gods had other ideas.