A late assault from England all-rounder Jofra Archer ensured a three-wicket win for the Rajasthan Royals over the Kolkata Knight Riders in Thursday’s Indian Premier League clash at Eden Gardens.
Chasing a 176-run target, after captain Dinesh Karhik’s unbeaten 97 had pushed the Knight Riders to 175 for six, the Royals won with four deliveries to spare.
The result lifts Rajasthan from the bottom of the 2019 tournament’s eight-team standings, while Kolkata retains sixth position.
Archer struck 27 not out from a mere 12 deliveries down the order, ensuring that the tough work done by opener Ajinkya Rahane and middle-order kingpin Riyan Parag was not wasted.
The Knight Riders will rue an inability to bowl the opposition out after the pursuit had slipped to 123 for six inside 16 overs.
Earlier, Karthik’s near century defied a visiting bowling attack spearheaded by the returing Varun Aaron. The seamer hadn’t played IPL cricket since 2017 prior to Thursday’s comeback, and impressed throughout.
He bowled with superb speed – and accounted for the dismissals of the dangerous Chris Lynn and Shubman Gill. Both were bowled on a pitch that generated plenty of pace and bounce.
Friday will see the Chennai Super Kings host the Mumbai Indians in Chepauk.
Photo: SPORTZPICS for BCCI
