New Delhi: Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) all-rounder Akshar Patel emerged as the hero for his team during their crucial match against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2017. In a must-win game, KXIP defeated the two-time IPL winners by 14 runs to keep their hopes of qualifying for play-offs alive.
Akshar, who has been in brilliant form for KXIP both with bat and the ball this season, put some sensational fielding efforts in front of the home crowd on Tuesday to send KKR on backfoot.
The left-hander first grabbed a stunning catch to dismiss Robin Uthappa for a duck and followed it with a brilliant throw to dismiss set batsman Chris Lynn (84).
The Australian right-hander, who has set the tournament on fire with his blistering knocks, was looking very dangerous at the crease. But in the 18th over of KKR’s chase, Lynn worked a ball from Matt Henry towards midwicket and called for two runs. But within a flash, Akshar picked the ball and threw it to the wicketkeeper who removed the bails before Lynn could make it to the crease.
It was a huge breakthrough for Punjab, considering KKR needed 37 runs from 18 balls at that point of time.
While the team celebrated, cameras captured KXIP’s co-owner actress Preity Zinta shaking a leg after the dismissal.
Watch Zinta’s priceless reaction here:
#AxarPatel’s fielding efforthttps://t.co/Q15ePkuy98
— Cricket-atti (@cricketatti) May 10, 2017
Punjab cannot afford to lose any more matches in the league stage and need to register wins in their next two matches against Mumbai Indians and Rising Pune Supergiant to make it through to the play-offs.
They are currently ranked fifth in the points table after six wins from 12 matches.
Source: Zee News