A stellar batting display followed by an incredible performance with the ball saw Kolkata register a 37-run victory over Rajasthan at the Dubai International Stadium.
Here are the key talking points from the contest:
Cummins comes good
Since his disastrous performance against Mumbai Indians on his debut for the team, Pat Cummins has been worth his weight in gold for KOL and is justifying his hefty price tag. The Australian gave away 13 runs in his three overs with the ball while picking the prized wicket of RR skipper Steve Smith. This comes on the back of a sensational performance against HYD where he finished with figures of 1-19 in his quota of four overs, picking the scalp of the in-form Jonny Bairstow. Cummins is coming in clutch for KOL.
Robin a spot in the team
Veteran Robin Uthappa's experience is certainly handy in the dressing room full of young Indian talent but his form with the bat certainly isn’t justifying his place in the playing XI. Through three matches, Uthappa has scored 16 runs, failing to reach double figures in each of his three outings. With RAJ packing pinch-hitters across the batting line-up, Uthappa's role is to anchor the ship but he’s struggling to deliver so far. With the talented Yashasvi Jaiswal on the bench, RAJ have a rather simple decision on their hands of letting Uthappa make way for the young opener and pushing Steve Smith down to his natural position in the middle order.
Nagarkoti's stellar night
For years, Kamlesh Nagarkoti has been touted to have a breakthrough season and become India's next pace sensation but frequent injuries have derailed his career so far and have propped questions of his durability as a fast bowler. However, against RR, the 20-year-old finally showed a glimpse of his unbelievable potential, picking up two wickets for just 13 runs in his two overs. He also took a brilliant catch to dismiss Jofra Archer and was a handful with the bat at the tail-end of KOL's innings, proving his all-round ability. A great outing for a potentially great player.
Tom terrific
One of the silver linings on a truly terrible evening for RR was all-rounder Tom Curran's performance with the bat. The 25-year-old hasn’t batted much owing to the terrific form of the top six prior to this contest, but in his first proper outing with the bat, the Englishman showcased what a quality batsman he can be for his side. Curran scored 54 off just 36 balls, smashing two fours and three sixes in what was his maiden half-century in the Indian T20 League. This innings will do Curran a world of good and will give RR another batting option in an already deep batting line-up.
Feature image courtesy: Twitter.com / Indian T20 League
