IPL 2018, KKR vs KXIP : 3 masterstrokes during the game

Match 19 of the IPL 2018 saw a top table clash between teams headed by Tamil Nadu boys at the Eden Gardens.

Setting a decent total on the board, KKR would have been confident of defending 191 runs but KL Rahul and Chris Gayle smashed the bowlers all over the park and batted sensibly when the rain was lurking around not gifting their wicket away.

Following the rain interruption, they were set a revised target of 125 runs in 13 overs and thanks to their proactive batting, it was chased easily in the end with Gayle doing the final honours, earning an important victory for Kings XI Punjab.

Sportskeeda takes a look at the three commendable tactics employed in the game which had a considerable impact on the end result.

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#1 Ashwin's astute captaincy

Ashwin's decisions during the match paid off

One of the reasons for Kings XI's success in this tournament so far has been attributed to brilliant captaincy from Ravichandran Ashwin.

Almost all of his decisions pain rich dividends to his side right from opting reviews, picking Gayle in the third match and making right choices on the field.

Today he employed some specific tactics for Andre Russell who has the reputation of hitting the ball hard down the ground, by placing Karun Nair in the fine long-off.

Russell obliged to that tactic and heaved a yorker length delivery down to Nair over the bowler's head cutting short the onslaught restricting KKR to 191 which was chased successfully by Kings XI thanks to blistering knocks from Gayle and Rahul.

#2 Bowling Mujeeb against Narine

Ashwin's decision to bowl with Rahman against Narine delivered instant success

Sunil Narine made a name for himself as a utility allrounder from being a specialist spinner. He was used as a pinch hitter at the top and gave many sizable contributions for his side, smashing both pacers and spinners all over the park.

Ashwin being an off-spinner himself resisted bowling to the left-hander and made Mujeeb Ur Rahman to bowl the second over against Narine.

He hew into the trap almost instantly misjudging a googly and heaved into the deep where Nair took a tumbling catch to dismiss him for 1, symbolising yet another masterstroke from Ravichandran Ashwin.

#3 Sensible batting from the openers

The openers set the tone for Punjab's win

Having smashed 86 runs off seven overs chasing 192 runs to win, Kings XI openers Gayle and Rahul batted sensibly taking rain factor into account and were conscious of not gifting their wickets away before the interruption.

Narine's over was treated with respect by both openers when the drizzling made their way into the ground and after the rain break.

The revised target was 125 runs from 13 overs which were chased easily in the end, thanks to an enterprising knock from Gayle who smashed third consecutive half-century and winning the orange cap having played just three matches.

What an asset he is proving to be for Kings XI Punjab!

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