Shakib proves he’s the best in the world
Shakib Al Hasan, recently named the world’s best all-rounder, had been forced to sit out Kolkata Knight Riders’ first two matches in the IPL, but on a slow, turning wicket Eden Gardens he produced a match-winning performance. He struck three blows with the ball, squeezing Rajasthan Royals, and then he smashed two boundaries to ease Kolkata home.
Bangladesh skipper Shakib’s 3/17 was decisive in the end. He took care of the Royals openers after their partnership had started to gather pace; then he broke another substantial stand, between Shreevats Goswami and Owais Shah, that could have hurt Knight Riders. Royals adapted to the slowness of the pitch, and took 15 runs off the last over to set Knight Riders a stiff target.
Jacques Kallis and Manvinder Bisla ensured Knight Riders did not lose wickets as they kept up with the asking rate, and Shakib and Manoj Tiwary produced a few big strokes towards the end.
Royals started well, with Rahul Dravid and Ajinkya Rahane putting on 45 in six overs. Dravid got away a few boundaries with charges down the track against the medium pacers while Rahane cover drove and swept offspinner Sunil Narine for consecutive fours.
Shakib, though, had an immediate impact. Rahane tried to push Shakib’s first delivery on the off side, but it turned sharply to take the outside edge to the wicketkeeper. The second ball of Shakib’s second over was tossed up invitingly. Dravid went after it, and found extra cover.
In between those two dismissals Ashok Menaria, batting ahead of Brad Hodge and Owais Shah, ran himself out after a couple of let-offs.
Royals had slipped from 45/0 to 49/3, but Shah and Goswami doubled that score with safe accumulation. The duo threatened more damage after taking 16 off the 16th over, bowled by Rajat Bhatia.
Enter Shakib in the 17th over. Shah drilled him down the ground for four but Goswami mishit a sweep to midwicket. Narine bowled an excellent penultimate over, getting a clueless Shah stumped off a flicked delivery that spun away from the right-hander. Johan Botha was rendered as clueless as Shah for the rest of the over, which went for just three.
Royals managed to swing L Balaji for a couple of boundaries in the last over to give their attack just about enough to defend on a helpful pitch. Though Gautam Gambhir was run out early, Kallis and Bisla were in control as they chipped away at the target. The medium pacers were targeted, as was left-arm spinner Ankeet Chavan. Johan Botha and Brad Hogg were negotiated without bravado.
The highest the asking-rate was allowed to go was eight an over after the 17th. When it reached that level, Knight Riders had Shakib, who delivered.
IPL
Kolkata Knight Riders 137/5 (Kallis 31, Bisla 29). Rajasthan Royals 131/5 (Shah 31, Dravid 28; Shakib 3/17). Kolkata Knight Riders by 5 wickets.
County championship
– Somerset 147 (Philander 38; Wright 4/47) and 127/4 (Compton 61*). Warwickshire 243.
– Nottinghamshire 161 and 231/4 (Lumb 104*, Hales 57). Durham 129 .
– Derbyshire 130 (Wagg 6/44) and 152/6. Glamorgan 95 (Clare 5/17).
– Gloucestershire 314 (Dent 114, Cockbain 64; Balcombe 8/71) Hampshire 182/7 (Katich 74).
– Lancashire 124 (Croft 50; Anyon 5/36) and 85/4. Sussex 300 (Yardy 110, Joyce 64).
– Middlesex 256 (Malan 88). Surrey 161/5 (Davies 62).
– Northamptonshire 132 and 50/4. Kent 368 (Powell 128*, Jones 53l Brooks 5/98). — ESPNCricinfo and Cricket Reporter, SportsCentral
- Follow SportsCentral on Twitter