IPL: Clinical KKR surge to top of table

Nitish Rana turned in a useful all-round performance to lead Kolkata Knight Riders to top of the IPL points table following a seven-wicket victory over Rajasthan Royal in Jaipur on Wednesday.

Rana grabbed 2-11 and then scored an unbeaten 35 as Kolkata Knight Riders responded with 163-3 in 18.5 overs after Rajasthan Royals made 160-8.

Rana and skipper Dinesh Karthik, with 42 not out off 23 balls, added an unbroken 61 for the fourth wicket to seal the win, after Robin Uthappa with 48 off 36 and Sunil Narine with 35 off 25 had laid the foundation following the early loss for Chris Lynn without scoring.

Earlier, Rajasthan Royals fell away after a good start, losing wickets regularly in the middle and death overs. D’Arcy Short topscored with 44 off 43, but it was skipper Ajinkya Rahane who gave the innings momentum with 36 off 19, including four successive fours off Narine. 

Tom Curran with 2-19 supported Rana in the bowling department. The IPL will continue tomorrow (Thursday) with Kings XI Punjab playing Sunrisers Hyderabad from 10:30h.

Editor’s Note: All IPL games are aired exclusively on E-Networks channel- E2.