IPL 2022, LSG vs KKR: Lucknow Super Giants go top as pacers crush Kolkata Knight Riders

KKR are back to their losing ways. On Saturday, the Knight Riders received a comprehensive 75-run thumping at the hands of Lucknow Super Giants. Chasing 177 to win, KKR folded up for a paltry 101 in Pune. Andre Russell (45 off 19b; 3x4, 5x6) and Sunil Narine (22 off 12b; 3x4, 1x6) provided some fireworks, but the Lucknow pace attack was too strong for Kolkata. Avesh Khan (3/19) and Jason Holder (3/31) shared six wickets between them. AS IT HAPPENEDEarlier, when Lucknow openers KL Rahul and Quinton de Kock walked out to take guard against the KKR bowlers, all eyes were on the LSG skipper. After all, Rahul had scored 451 runs in the tournament, and was chasing Jos Buttler for the Orange Cap. The motley crowd at the MCA International Stadium was hopeful Rahul would add to the two centuries he had scored in the 2022 IPL. But reality proved to be totally anti-climactic. Rahul was run-out for a diamond duck (out without facing a ball), as his opposite number Shreyas Iyer swooped in from short extra-cover and effected a brilliant direct hit in the first over of the Lucknow innings.

It seemed the unfortunate mix-up between Rahul and Quinton de Kock would affect the South African's batting temperament. Instead of getting fazed, de Kock along with Deepak Hooda upped the ante in the Powerplay overs. While de Kock was severe on anything short, implementing the cut and pull to good effect, Hooda made sure the balls that were pitched up went towards the fence or over it. De Kock (50 off 29b; 4x4, 3x6) brought up his half-century in the 7th over of the innings, but was defeated by Sunil Narine in the very next over. In his attempt to loft a good length, away going delivery towards the extra-cover boundary, de Kock only managed to