Quinton de Kock sensational hundred was a sight to behold for spectators at the stadium in Navi Mumbai on Wednesday with an unbeaten 140 off 70 balls. Lucknow Super Giants defeated Kolkata Knight Riders by two runs in a last-ball IPL thriller to seal their play-off spot.
De Kock gave a batting masterclass with an unbeaten 140 off 70 balls as he and Rahul (68 not out off 51) fired LSG to 210 for no loss, the highest opening stand in IPL history. It was a steep chase but KKR stayed in the game through Nitish Rana (42) and captain Shreyas Iyer (50) but it was too big a task for the lower-order. Their innings ended 208 for eight in 20 overs.
Now, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have become the second side to qualify for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 play-offs.
After opting to bat first, Quinton de Kock and KL Rahul got off to a solid start, while KKR got off to a worst possible start. Mohsin Khan packed openers Venkatesh Iyer and Abhishek Tomar inside the powerplay overs. However, Nitish Rana and Shreyas Iyer added quick runs and kept KKR in the hunt.
Rana’s innings came to end on 42(22), while Iyer chipped in with a 29-ball 50. Sam Billings was stumped on 36(24) and big man Andre Russell fell cheaply on 5(11). However, Rinku Singh ensured KKR stay in hunt as he combined with Sunil Narine to push the match in the final over bowled by Marcus Stoinins. It took a one-handed beauty by Evin Lewis as Rinku’s cameo came to an end on 40(15). With three required of the final ball, Stonis cleaned up Umesh Yadav as KKR fell short by two runs in the end.
Just when it looked KKR were down and out, Sunil Narine (21 not out off) and Rinku Singh (40 off 15) started smashing the LSG bowlers around the ground to reignite hopes of the dug out.
KKR needed 38 runs off the last two overs and they both brought the equation down to 21 off the final over.
Rinku came up with couple of sixes and a four to make it five off the last three balls but he fell to a special one handed catch from Evin Lewis to bring LSG back into the game.
With three needed off the final ball, Marcus Stoinis landed a yorker to dismiss Umesh Yadav.
