Hyderabad: Kolkata Knight Riders became the third team to make the Indian Premier League playoffs on a day when Virat Kohli’s Royal Challengers Bangalore bowed out of the Twenty20 tournament.
Australia’s Chris Lynn helped Kolkata outplay table-toppers Sunrisers Hyderabad by five wickets on Saturday to finish the league stage with eight wins in 14 games.
Lynn’s 43-ball 55 helped two-time champions Kolkata chase down their 173-run target in 19.4 overs at Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.
“At the end of the day, we strive for a playoff spot,” skipper Dinesh Karthik said after the win.
“It’s good to see we are pulling back games. Touch wood, I’d like to think we’re peaking at the right time. Feels good to be here [in the top four].”
Shubman Gill, KKR’s young turk, said some brilliant death bowling led by Prasidh Krishna turned the match in their favour. “I think the way we bowled at the death overs — that was the turning point of the match. Prasidh (4-0-30-4) bowled really well. All the bowlers bowled really well at the death, Gill said at the post-match press conference.
KKR will now play their eliminator at home ground at the Eden Gardens on May 23 and Gill said it will work in their advantage.
“It’s always an advantage to play at home. It’s beneficial to play match at home. The crowd is very supportive. We will also have a better idea of the wicket compared to other teams,” he said.
Meanwhile, Sunrisers wicketkeeper batsman Shreevats Goswami, who scored 35 runs off 26 balls, said the loss won’t hurt their momentum in the qualifier.
“I think momentum does not come in when any team goes for qualifier. Everybody will come well prepared. We have lost three games and we will be more aware of the situation.
“I think we will come back stronger and we will assess our weaknesses and strengths ahead of the qualifiers,” he said.
