Dream 11, IPL 2020, 46th Match
Kings XI Punjab (KKIP) VS Kolkata Kinght Riders (KKR)
Played at Sarjah on 26 October 2020 

Brief Scorecard: 
KKIP 150/2 (Mandeep Singh 66*, Chris Gayle 51, KL Rahul 28, L Ferguson 1/32, CV Varun 1/34) beat KKR 149/9 
(Shubman Gill 57, ECJ Morgan 40, Mohammad Sami 3/35, CJ Jordan 2/25, Ravi Bishnoi 2/20) by 8 wickets. 

No stadium is big enough when Universal Boss Christofer Henry Gayle is on song. He had stomach bug during the first 7 matches of KKIP this year in IPL 2020. KKIP playing 7 lost 6 of the matches. Since Gayle’s return, they won 5 on the trot. Yesterday his tornado hitting drowning KKR carried KKIP among the top four making the competition breathing-taking event. Batting first KKR could manage only 149/9. Good tight bowling almost stalled KKIP in the early stage of the response. But once Boss appeared on the scene KKIP rocked and rolled. 100 runs 3rd wicket partnership in 10 overs between Gayle (51) and Impressive Mandeep Singh (65*) changed the complexion of the match.  Scoring 150/2 KKIP won the match by 8 wickets. With 12 points from 12 matches KKIP offset KKR from 4th position on better net run rate. The battle for the top four has intensified.

CHG is mortaring along. His insatiable thirst for runs has not quenched yet. When he hits it stays hit, does not matter who is the bowler? How big is the ground? A little statistic on Gayle says it all.

Sixes Scored by Batsmen 
No Of Sixes Scored In Career                               No Of Players
                100                                                                75
                200                                                                18
                300                                                                 6
                400                                                                 2
                500                                                Chris Gayle is lone warrior 

Centuries, Double Century and Triple Century In Different Formats 
 

Events                                         No Of Cases 
Triple Century in Tests                      27
Double Century in ODI                      6
Century in T20                                  43 
CH Gayle                             Features in All above 

The match yesterday was equally important for both KKIP and KKR. A win would have almost assured KKR a place among the top four. At the same time win of KKIP has given them much-needed breathing space for surviving.
 
Batting first KKR was suffocated early from brilliant bowling of Indian new ball bowler Mohammad Sami Rahul Tripathi and KD Karthik were blown away by Sami after Maxwell accounted for Rana. At 3/10 KKR was looking pathetic. Captain Morgan pairing with Shubman Gill just getting the good news of getting into Australia touring party steered KKR out of Woods. 81 runs 4th wicket partnership between Gill (57) and Morgan (40) led KKR post a reasonable score of 149/9 on a slow low gripping track. Sami (3/35) was the wrecker in chief. Bisnoi (2/20) and Jordan (2/25) assisted him as well.

Unlike KKIP the KKR pacers could not torment KKIP batsmen. Rahul (28) and Mandeep (66) did not hurry things. A 47 runs first wicket partnership laid the foundation till Universal Boss appeared with his Sword marked his title. The tormentor blasted 2 fours and 5 sixes in his 29 balls 51 and also encouraged Mandeep (66*) playing the anchor role for taking KKIP across the rope. Winning big by 8 wickets KKIP kept the momentum going. The rat race for a photo finish is really on. 

BDST: 1610 HRS, OCT 27, 2020
AP