IPL: KKR decimate RPS with record partnership between Uthappa-Gambhir I vanillanews

IPL: KKR decimate RPS with record partnership between Uthappa-Gambhir

Robin Uthappa and Gautam Gambhir combined for a match-winning 158-run stand for the second wicket as KKR chased down the target of 183 with 11 balls remaining and seven wickets in hand in Match 30 of the Indian Premier League season 10. Uthappa scored 87 off 47 deliveries, while Gambhir made 62 off 46 deliveries. With this win, KKR jumped to the top of the table while RPS remained on fourth.

After getting a life in the very first over of the match when a faint edge flew over the wicketkeeper’s head, Rahul Tripathi capitalized on the chance and continued his rollicking form in the tournament. The duo of Tripathi and Ajinkya Rahane combined for a solid 65-run stand for the opening wicket. After two good overs from Umesh and Chris Woakes, Tripathi crunched two off drives off Umesh to get the ball rolling. Rahane lofted Woakes for a six followed by Tripathi walking down the track hitting a half-volley straight to the boundary.

In reply, there was no surprise to see Narine open the innings with Gautam Gambhir. Narine got a cracker of a delivery first up with Jaydev Unadkat angling one full straight at the stumps. Narine was beaten through and through but the ball missed the stumps as well. Narine though managed a four off the next delivery and proceeded to hit Shardul Thakur for two more fours. But Thakur got his man when he caught Narine short of the crease after Gambhir dabbed one to short fine and ran

With the asking rate coming down to seven runs per over, Gambhir and Uthappa started to play sensibly. For RPS, without Ben Stokes, they lacked the depth and under pressure, the bowlers leaked unnecessary runs. Gambhir went on to reach his 35th IPL fifty off just 35 deliveries. He plonked Tahir for a six and a four off Dan Christian. With 24 required off last five, Tahir was brought into the attack and Uthappa took him to the task with two huge sixes, but was dismissed trying to go for a big shot with KKR needing five runs to win. Gambhir departed soon after to Christian but KKR cantered home with 11 balls remaining.