Cricket news round-up – 4 May: Kolkata stay alive after all but knocking out Punjab

Kolkata Knight Riders kept their IPL 2019 Playoffs hopes alive after they eased past Kings XI Punjab, who were as good as eliminated for another campaign, despite showing signs of promise earlier in the season.

Elsewhere, England were made to sweat in the final leg of their World Cup preparations as Ireland fought hard before succumbing to a 4-wicket loss. Delhi Capitals suffered the loss of Kagiso Rabada for the IPL Playoffs, and Babar Azam signed up with Somerset for the T20 Blast.

Gill powers Kolkata to eliminate Punjab

After arresting their 6-match losing streak, Kolkata have now won two in two. Shubman Gill has starred in both, and against Punjab on Friday, he scored a 49-ball 65* to guide the chase and secure a seven-wicket victory.

Punjab had two oversees youngsters to thank for setting Kolkata a tricky target of 184 – Nicholas Pooran scored a 27-ball 48 and Sam Curran went better in a 24-ball 55* after the top order crumbled. However, that was no match for Kolkata.

As Gill settled down at the top, Chris Lynn launched a few in a 22-ball 46. Then mini contributions from Robin Uthappa (22 off 14), Andre Russell (24 off 14) and Dinesh Karthik (21* off 9) were enough to see Kolkata through.

Kolkata are now No. 5 in the table, below Sunrisers Hyderabad on net run-rate. Punjab are No. 7 with virtually no hope of qualification.

England see off fighting Ireland to World Cup

England may be one of the favourites for the World Cup 2019, but they were more than troubled by a plucky Ireland side in a four-wicket victory in Malahide.

In a match reduced to a 45-overs-a-side encounter, Liam Plunkett and Tom Curran picked seven wickets between them to bundle out the home side for 198. The innings also saw Jofra Archer pick his first international wicket after being drafted into the England squad – he ended with 1/40 in eight overs.

However, England were given a taste of their own medicine when Josh Little, the 19-year-old all-rounder, returned 4/45 to help reduce the visitors to 66/5 and then 101/6. However, Ben Foakes and Curran scored 61* and 47* respectively to help see through the chase.

Kagiso Rabada ruled out of IPL

Delhi Capitals’ play-off hopes suffered a huge blow when Kagiso Rabada’s back injury was serious enough to render him unfit for the remainder of IPL 2019.

Rabada missed their clash against Chennai Super Kings with a back niggle, but after undergoing scans, Cricket South Africa confirmed he had been called back for rehabilitation and as a precautionary measure ahead of the 2019 World Cup.

“It is indeed very hard for me to leave the Delhi Capitals at this stage of the tournament,” a Capitals release quoted Rabada as saying. “But with the World Cup just a month away, a collective decision has been made for me in this regard. It’s been a tremendous season for me with the Delhi Capitals, both on and off the field, and I truly believe that our team can win the trophy.”

Azam signs for Somerset

Babar Azam, the Pakistan batsman, will buoy Somerset’s hopes at the T20 Blast 2019 after he signed on for the county for 14 matches.

He might even be available after that, if his international schedule permits, and given his 1182 runs in 29 T20Is, it’s a catch for Somerset.

“I am looking forward to the new challenge that playing T20 cricket in England will bring,” he said. “I have heard good things about Somerset from Azhar Ali and I want to play a part in the club winning matches. I know that Somerset get good support and I hope that I can give them something to cheer about this year.”