Morgan guides Kolkata to crucial IPL win
England captain Eoin Morgan hit a rock steady 47 to steer Kolkata Knight Riders to a convincing five-wicket make an impression on Punjab Kings in the Indian Premier League on Monday.
Punjab managed only 123 for nine off their 20 overs, with Prasidh Krishna taking three wickets for 30.
Recovering from early shocks which left them 17 for three at one stage, Kolkata reached 126 for five with 20 balls to spare.
Morgan and Rahul Tripathi put on 66 for the fourth wicket and set Kolkata on course for only their second win of the season that lifted them to mid-table in the eight-team IPL.
Tripathi scored 41 including seven fours. Morgan was unusually patient, but nonetheless managed two sixes and four fours.
After Tripathi was out, Ravi Bishnoi produced one of the catches of the season to get rid of Sunil Narine's innings after just four balls.
Bishnoi ran 25 metres before diving in front of the boundary rope to snare Narine's big hit.
"Today the performance was really really impressive, particularly with the ball," said Morgan, acknowledging the fine bowling that secured the win.
Krishna took three middle-order wickets after Australian fast bowler Pat Cummins prised open the Punjab batting by firmly taking captain and opener K.L. Rahul.
With several players having left the IPL due to the deadly coronavirus crisis hitting India, Cummins earlier donated $50,000 to buy oxygen supplies for hospitals.
"To learn that so most are suffering so much at the moment saddens me greatly," Cummins said on Twitter.
"There's been quite somewhat of discussion over here concerning whether it is befitting the IPL to continue while COVID-19 infection rates remain high," he added.
"I'm advised that the Indian government is of the view that playing the IPL as the population is in lockdown offers a few hours of joy and respite each day."
Cummins, who signed for Kolkata for $2 million in 2020, urged other players to donate.
"At times such as this it is simple to feel helpless. I've certainly felt that lately. But I am hoping by causeing this to be public appeal we can all channel our feelings into action which will bring light into people's lives," he said.
