KKR batters with match-winning fifties in IPL playoffs
Kolkata Knight Riders will be up against Sunrisers Hyderabad in Qualifier 1 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. KKR are eyeing their third IPL title, having lifted the trophy in 2012 and 2014. Meanwhile, there have been some notable batting performances for KKR in the playoff stage. Here are the batters with match-winning fifties for KKR in IPL playoffs.
Dinesh Karthik - 52 in Eliminator, 2018
KKR were powered by their then skipper Dinesh Karthik in the 2018 Eliminator game against Rajasthan Royals. The Knight Riders were reduced to 4/51 while batting first. Karthik, who arrived at number five, played a composed knock and bailed his team out of trouble. His 38-ball 52 helped KKR finish at 169/7. RR could only manage 144/4 in reply.
Venkatesh Iyer - 55 in Qualifier 2, 2020
Venkatesh Iyer was instrumental to KKR's run to the final in IPL 2020. He made his bat talk in the second Qualifier versus Delhi Capitals where KKR were asked to chase down 136. The southpaw batted aggressively and added 96 runs with Shubman Gill for the opening wicket. Venkatesh ended up scoring 55 off 41 balls as KKR prevailed with a ball to spare.
Jacques Kallis - 69 in Final, 2012
Though the 2012 IPL final is mostly remembered for Manvinder Bisla's heroics, Jacques Kallis also played an important knock in that game. Chasing 191 against Chennai Super Kings, KKR lost the in-form Gautam Gambhir cheaply. Kallis and Bisla then added 137 runs for the second wicket. The Proteas star made 69 off 49 balls as KKR crossed the line in the final over.
Manvinder Bisla - 89 in Final, 2012
As mentioned, Bisla starred for KKR in the 2012 final against CSK. The wicketkeeper-batter, who was selected ahead of Brendon McCullum, justified his selection. He attacked the CSK bowlers from the outset as the required run rate stayed within reach. Bisla missed out on a well-deserved ton as he departed after scoring 89 off 48 balls. Nevertheless, KKR crossed the line.
Manish Pandey - 89 in Final, 2014
In a high-voltage 2014 IPL final, Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) racked up 199/4 after KKR put them into bat. Interestingly, Mitchell Johnson removed Robin Uthappa in the very first over. Manish Pandey added 53 runs with skipper Gambhir before the latter was dismissed. Pandey finished on 94(50), which included 6 sixes. Eventually, Piyush Chawla got KKR home in the final over.
