Shah Rukh Khan's Charm Continues: KKR Clinch Third Win with Starc, Salt Heroics
Eden Gardens Witnessess Clinical Performance Against Lucknow Super Giants
Shah Rukh Khan spent the majority of Sunday seated inside the corporate box of the Kolkata Knight Riders in block 'B' of Eden Gardens. Only when victory was assured did he make an appearance on the balcony at the end of the fifteenth over, striking his trademark posture.
In the three games he has attended—two at the Eden and one in Visakhapatnam—the KKR major owner has blessed the team with good fortune. Having flown into the city on Saturday night, he is anticipated to be there for their upcoming home game against the Rajasthan Royals on Tuesday.
The Knights defeated the Lucknow Super Giants with ease, achieving a much-needed victory after losing to the Chennai Super Kings in their previous game. In the long term, they will find solace and support in Mitchell Starc's spell and Phil Salt's 89 off 47 balls, more so than in the eight-wicket victory with 26 balls left.
With three for 28, Starc made the "impact" mentor Gautam Gambhir had been discussing, rendering LSG completely unplayable. Salt then used his attacking form, riding luck on a couple of occasions, to make the 162-run chase look easy.
Once Salt and Shreyas Iyer teamed up, two early dismissals had no effect. The LSG attack lacked bite, as the unbroken third wicket partnership knitted together 120 off 76 balls. Keeping Salt company, Shreyas scored 38 runs off a ball.
LSG brought on another exciting fast bowler, West Indian Shamar Joseph, who had destroyed the Australian batting earlier this year at the Gabba, to replace Mayank Yadav. Joseph, making his IPL debut, had trouble with a slow and unresponsive wicket.
Not only did he not hit the proper length, but he also often exceeded 146 mph. In his opening over, he spilled 22, including 10 extras.
Conversely, Starc started the game early and periodically moved the ball without giving anything away. However, he moved the length back a little to benefit from the fact that the hot weather wasn't allowing for any lateral movement. LSG was in terrible shape after his two-ball strike in the last over, which featured Nicholas Pooran off the opening ball.
Marcus Stoinis failed once more, and Pooran left it too late, thus LSG undoubtedly missed out on big-hitters.
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