Narine-Salt partnership powers KKR to 261-6 against PBKS

KKR’s Sunil Narine (left) and Phil Salt during the match v Punjab in Kolkata yesterday. Pic/PTI

Riding on yet another rollicking start, Kolkata Knight Riders stormed to 261 for 6, the highest-ever IPL total at the Eden Gardens, to present Punjab Kings a tough chase on Friday.

Phil Salt and Sunil Narine were in a murderous mood as always as the two added 138 off just 63 balls for the first wicket. Both made the most of reprieves to provide a fine launch pad.

Narine, dropped at backward point by Harpreet Brar when on 16, and then overturning a leg-before decision via DRS when on 59, was caught at deep backward point while going for another big one. His 71 came off 32 deliveries and had nine fours and four sixes. Salt, let off on 34 and 35, came away with a 37-ball 75 that had six fours and six sixes.

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With signs of dew midway through their innings and the prospect of bowling on a better pitch with a soaked ball, the Knights were seized by the urgency to present an ‘unassailable' target for the visitors. Andre Russell, sent up the order, played a cameo of 24 off 12 with two fours and two sixes before being surprised by an Arshdeep Singh bouncer. His hurried hook went only as far as square-leg.

One-drop Venkatesh Iyer hung around for a 23-ball 39 that had three fours and a couple of sixes while skipper Shreyas Iyer got 28 off 10 with three sixes and a four as the Knights went past their best at the Eden, a 232 against Mumbai Indians in 2019, and then past the previous Eden highest of 235, made by Chennai Super Kings against them last year.

Stand-in skipper Sam Curran juggled his bowlers every now and then to no avail, but it was a surprise why he held back left-arm orthodox bowler Harpreet Brar till the 12th over.

Mitchell Starc sat out after seven matches. Sri Lankan right-arm pacer Dushmantha Chameera replaced the left-arm Aussie quick to make his debut for the Knights on another hot and humid evening.