KKR edge past DC with 3-wicket win in nail-biting Qualifier; to face CSK in IPL 2021 final

After a spectacular performance from bowling department aided by a wonderful half-century from Venkatesh Iyer, Kolkata Knight Riders have defeated Delhi Capitals by three wickets in what seemed to be a nail-biting finish to IPL 2021 Qualifier 2 at Sharjah Cricket Stium on Wednesday. Kolkata will now lock horns with Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2021 final on Friday, October 15 at Dubai International Stium.

Kolkata won toss and chose to field first and it looked to be right decision given that pitch favoured bowling so heavily. Kolkata's mystery spinners performed ir spell well as y restricted Delhi to 135/5 and following that, as dew set in, Venkatesh Iyer and Shubhman Gill looked like y h guided KKR to victory. But re was a twist in tail as Anrich Nortje and Kagiso Raba forced match to death overs where Ravichandran Ashwin did his job well to force KKR to a level that y required 6 runs from 2 balls to secure ir berth in finals. However, Tripathi hit a magnificent six to end match on a happy note for KKR.

KKR vs DC Match Report

In power play, Delhi tried ir best to score a safe target. y may have lost Prithvi Shaw but a run rate of 6.5 on Sharjah pitch is considered good. It was a good platform for likes of Rishabh Pant and Shimron Hetmyer to come in and take innings on from re. Marcus Stoinis came in after Shaw was given out for an lbw after a superb bowling showdown by Varun Chakravarthy. Just as Stoinis (18 off 23) seemed to get warmed up, he was bowled by Shivam Mavi. A couple of overs later Chakravarthy was again turning and twisting ball as he does so well to get Dhawan out on a googly as Delhi opener went down track looking to slog it away but ball went through stroke and towards Shakib Al Hasan who took a brilliant diving catch.

In next over, DC's skipper, Pant departed for just six runs after he looked to pull far but ball landed straight in Rahul Tripathi's hands and from n on, things were not looking too great for Delhi. At end of 16th over Delhi were 92 for four but after that, y were handed a lifeline when it seemed that Hetmyer was caught out by an excellent catch from Shubhman Gill but TV umpire deemed Chakravarthy to have crossed line for a no-ball. very next over Hetmyer hit two sixes and eventually, Delhi finished innings at a respectable 135 for 5 after Shreyas Iyer held down fort to score 30 off 27 and specifically 15 runs in last over.

Venkatesh Iyer's half-century propels KKR to victory

KKR began chase well scoring 15 in first two overs and openers Shreyas Iyer and Gill did so well to take m to 51/0 by end of PowerPlay. y n quickly raced to 76/0 in 10 and needed 60 runs in 60 balls. Iyer was exceptional in his batting as he hit 55 off 41 balls and put KKR into a winning situation. Shubhman Gill played a fantastic inning as he scored 46 off 46 as KKR needed just 13 in last 24 balls. But match was not done just n, some exquisite death over bowling from Kagiso Raba and Anrich Nortje took pressure of match to last over and while Ashwin did well to hold KKR. With six needed off last two balls, Rahul Tripathi hit a brilliant six to finish it off and hand win to KKR.

(Image: iplt20.com/BCCI)