Knight Riders pip Pune in IPL thriller

The match in a tweet: Tail-ender Umesh Yadav smashes a six in the final over to guide KKR to a nail-biting final-over win against Pune.

The hero: Suryakumar Yadav’s 60 (49) was one of the most pleasing innings in the Vivo IPL. Walking into bat at No.3 for Kolkata, Yadav timed the ball superbly, hit the ball hard but most importantly stuck to the basics of batting by playing in the ‘V’.  Out of this first 37 runs 20 came straight down the ground. It included two spectacular blows off Ravi Ashwin over long-on and two gorgeous straight drives off the Pune fast bowlers. Despite losing wickets at the other end, Yadav anchored the Knight Riders close to the target of 160. 

The support cast: When the pressure is on it brings out the best in Yusuf Pathan in the KKR jersey. With Yadav holding up an end, Pathan took the responsibility of hitting the big shots. With 78 required to win from 49 balls, Pathan smashed the next two balls he faced for six and four, finishing with 36 from 27 to change the course of the game.

The final over: Needing seven to win off the last over, Piyush Chawla managed to take two from the first ball by placing it brilliantly into the outfield. Next ball however, Chawla lost his calm by chipping a slower ball into the hands of Steve Smith at long-on. Needing five to win, Thisara Perera bowled another slower ball which Umesh Yadav picked up early and hit over long-on for a maximum to seal the deal.

The consolation effort: Ajinkya Rahane continues to be the only shining light in the Pune batting.  After scoring 60 couple of nights ago, Rahane was once again at his best, scoring 67 from 52 in a total of 160. On a pitch aiding turn, Rahane's assured footwork against the spinners provided him with the necessary skill-set to shine. The RPS opener once again dominated the spinners with the sweep shot while against the fast bowlers he used the pace to place the ball into gaps. Along the way he struck three sixes and five boundaries but sadly for him he received no support.

The stat: Pune bowled seven wides compared to none by Kolkata. In such a close contest it proved to be pivotal.

The field placement: When MS Dhoni walked in to bat with 17 balls left in the innings to face Sunil Narine, Kolkata skipper Gautam Gambhir had a fairly unimaginable field in place. From there, Gambhir placed himself at short-leg, put Morne Morkel at leg- slip and also brought in a slip. The attacking strategy lasted just two balls as Dhoni managed a single down the ground. 

The Aussie influence: National captain Steve Smith flew the flag for the Australians, though it was a quiet night by his standards, second top-scoring for Pune with 31 off 28 and taking a catch late in the piece to build the pressure that KKR eventually overcame.

The next stop: It won’t get any easier for Pune as they run into the in-form Sunrisers in Hyderabad. Kolkata in the meantime, venture to Mumbai, in what is always a fiery clash at Wankhede.