Fast bowlers Kamlesh Nagarkoti and Shivam Mavi ran through Rajasthan Royals’ top order as Kolkata Knight Riders registered a 37-run win in the Indian Premier League on Wednesday.
Nagarkoti, 20, grabbed 2-13 while Mavi got the prized wickets of Sanju Samson (8) and Jos Buttler (21) to restrict Rajasthan to 137-9. Pat Cummins started the slide by taking the wicket of Steve Smith in his first over.
Tom Curran, batting at seven, top-scored with 54 off 36 balls and was one of three Rajasthan batsman to reach double figures.
Earlier, after being sent in to bat, Kolkata made 174-6 thanks to Shubman Gill’s 47 off 34 balls up front and Eoin Morgan’s unbeaten 34 off 23 deliveries.
Jofra Archer pinned down Kolkata’s batsmen with fine figures of 2-18 and had Gill caught off his own bowling in the 12th over.
It was Rajasthan’s first loss in the tournament after they won both their previous games at Sharjah.
Kolkata captain Dinesh Karthik said there was still scope for improvement.
"I wouldn't call it perfect. There were a lot of areas we could improve. It was a good game," the wicketkeeper said.
"A lot of things pleased me – the way Gill started, the way Russell started, the way Morgan kept his head. The beautiful sight of the youngsters going for the catch no matter high it is."
Karthik singled out India's 2018 U19 World Cup stars Nagarkoti and Mavi, and Gill, for their perseverance.
"These boys, the journey they've gone through when not playing, and for them to just come out and express themselves with the bat and ball was incredible."
