Mohali> Punjab Kings made their IPL debut by defeating Kolkata Knight Riders by seven runs in the rain. With three wickets in hand in the last four overs, Kolkata needed 46 runs to win. Shardul Thakur (8) and Sunil Narine (7) were at the crease. After 16 overs, Kolkata’s fight ended when the rain arrived. Score: Punjab 5–191, Kolkata 7–146 (16). Andre Russell (35 off 19 balls) and Venkatesh Iyer (34 off 28 balls) brought Kolkata closer to victory. Both of them scored 50 runs in the sixth wicket. This partnership came following losing five wickets while scoring 80 runs. Windies star Russell hit three fours and two sixes. Iyer hit three fours and a six. Captain Nitish Rana (24) and Afghan wicketkeeper Rahmanullah Gurbus (22) were out before the big score. Punjab captain Shikhar Dhawan tested seven bowlers. Englishman Sam Curran, the most expensive player in the IPL, took a wicket conceding 38 runs in three overs. Nathan Ellis, Sikander Raza and Rahul Chahar have a wicket each. Sri Lankan batsman Bhanuka Rajapakse’s half-century gave Punjab the best score. He returned by scoring 50 runs in 32 balls. There were five fours and two sixes. Shikhar Dhawan provided support with 40 off 29 balls. Sikandar Raza (16), Prabhsimran Singh (23) and Jitesh Sharma (21) were also out. Sam Curran (26) and Shah Rukh Khan (11) remained unbeaten. Read on deshabhimani.com
