Marsh fifty fails to inspire Kings XI

The match in a tweet: Kolkata go top of the IPL as Knight Riders put Kings XI in a spin and Gambhir and Uthappa continue to shine

The Aussie pack: It wasn’t a good day for Australian cricketers in the IPL, first with John Hastings pulling out due to an ankle injury. And although Shaun Marsh added an unbeaten 56, Glenn Maxwell failed for Kings XI while Mitchell Johnson continued to warm the bench.

Marsh scored an unbeaten 56 from 41 balls as his side struggled their way 8-138 in 20 overs. Marsh was the only batsman to go past 30 from Kings XI, having come out in the fourth over. As such his strike-rate of 136.58 appeared better than it was in the overall scheme of things for Kings XI. Despite the fifty, the team perhaps may have liked him to show more attacking fervor in the death overs. Especially as Maxwell’s form continued to desert him, caught off a reverse sweep this time, for 4 off 7.

The disappointment returns: After an impressive display against the Rising Pune Supergiants on Sunday, this was another underwhelming effort in Mohali, orchestrated by Kolkata’s impressive bowlers after skipper Gautam Gambhir had elected to bowl.

After half-centuries against Pune, Punjab’s openers were dealt with: Morne Morkel removed Manan Vohra for 8 (12) and Murali Vijay was bowled for 26 (22) by leg-spinner Piyush Chawla.

Gambhir used his spinners well to strangle Kings XI’s batting. Shakib Al Hasan (0-28) was brought on in the third over; Sunil Narine (2-22) bowled three overs as soon as the powerplay finished, a departure from their usual strategy. Piyush Chawla (1-18) and Yusuf Pathan (1-6) continued to tie the batsmen down.

Wickets fell regularly, even as Marsh continued to rally and hold one end up. But he struggled to find the necessary acceleration as the score read 2-56 at the halfway mark. David Miller caught behind off Pathan and Kings XI were heading for a below-par score when Maxwell departed cheaply as well.

Only two batsmen passed 20, and none lower than No.3 even reached double digits. All in all, it was a hapless batting show from Kings XI.

The openers’ feast: Gambhir had scores of 38, 64 and 90 in the first three matches. Uthappa had made 35, 8 and 53 at the same time. Any thoughts Kings XI may have harboured this would be an off day were quickly dispelled.

Never mind the law of averages. Gambhir once again feasted. Uthappa was the aggressor this time and Kolkata reached 50 midway through the fifth over. Uthappa continued to make merry, smacking nine fours as he brought up his second half-century of the season.

He scored 53 from 28 before he was out lbw in the ninth over to Pardeep Sahu (2-18), who was the other bright spark for Kings XI on this night. He also accounted for Gambhir, well caught at midwicket by a diving Maxwell for run-a-ball 34.

Building on their openers’ foundation has been an issue for KKR, and so it proved again here,

Axar Patel (2-19) dismissing Manish Pandey and Shakib cheaply.

But the damage was done, Suryakumar Yadav and Pathan finishing the job with 17 deliveries to spare.

The stat: Gambhir had entered the match wearing the leading run-scorer’s Orange Cap by a solitary run after Aaron Finch’s third successive fifty. But he opened the gap today, taking his tally to 226 runs from four games. It was a fine way to celebrate his 200th T20 match, fifth among Indians behind Suresh Raina (230), MS Dhoni (229), Rohit Sharma (224) and Yusuf Pathan (202).

The wash-up: With their third win in four matches, Kolkata have now gone top of the table with six points. With their openers and bowlers in hot form, they are looking set for a strong showing this season. Considering their middle order is yet to get a decent opportunity to fire, Kolkata may well want to change tactics and bat first soon.

Kings XI, meanwhile, continue to linger at the bottom of the pile and in desperate need of finding a balance that allows them to compete, let alone win.

The next stop: Kings XI will find things no easier on Saturday when they play Sunrisers in Hyderabad with David Warner coming off a match-winning, unbeaten 90. The Knight Riders travel to Pune next and will take on the Rising Supergiants on Sunday evening.