WATCH: Nitish Rana run out after bad mix-up with Shubman Gill in KXIP vs KKR match

It is time for IPL’s second double-header weekend as the season moves towards its halfway mark. Kolkata Knight Riders are taking on Kings XI Punjab in an afternoon match at Abu Dhabi currently. After winning the toss, KKR captain Dinesh Karthik elected to bat first.

Nitish Rana was dismissed in an unfortunate way!

Batting first, KKR openers began cautiously against a disciplined new ball bowling from Kings XI Punjab bowlers. Rahul Tripathi was bowled by a beauty from Mohammed Shami to end his horrid stay at the crease. Once he was dismissed, it was all upon Shubman Gill and Nitish Rana to build a platform for the middle order to launch.

But in the 4^th over of their innings, there was a terrible misunderstanding between both the players. After playing a straight shot, Shubman Gill said ‘no’ to the call from Nitish Rana but comedy of errors meant that both were staring towards the same end. In the end, Nicholas Pooran collected the ball and dislodged the stumps comfortably to run Nitish Rana out. It was unfortunate for Nitish Rana but that’s the way game goes sometimes.

Dinesh Karthik leads KKR’s recovery

After a couple of early wickets, Shubman Gill and Eoin Morgan steadied the proceedings for KKR in the middle overs. Both batsmen didn’t take any risks and treated every ball according to merit. That was exactly what needed from KKR’s point of view after losing those early wickets. After Eoin Morgan’s wicket, Shubman Gill and Dinesh Karthik continued on for them. Dinesh Karthik was particularly aggressive in his approach as Shubman Gill completed his half-century. Dinesh Karthik slammed 58 runs from 29 balls which also included 8 fours and 2 sixes. That ensured KKR have 164 on the board and with the pitch showing signs of slowing up, the total looks a very competitive one.