Holder shines in IPL again

Jason Holder keeps impressing cricket fans watching the Indian Premier League (IPL).

The West Indian again stood out with impressive figures of four wickets for 24 runs as he inspired Gujarat Titans to a thrilling win over Punjab Kings in the cash-rich T20 tournament yesterday.

Holder, the giant Barbados and West Indies all-rounder, secured his second Player-Of-The-Match award in a row as his magnificent spell reduced the Kings to 163-9 off 20 overs in front of 100 000 fans at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. 

In reply, the Titans reached the target with four wickets to spare off the last ball. Washington Sundar struck a big six off the penultimate ball to seal the third win in a row.

Earlier in the day, Sunil Narine claimed two for 31 as his Kolkata Knight Riders beat Sunrisers Hyderabad by seven wickets. 

In the process Narine, who like Holder is a West Indies T20 World Cup winner, took his 200th wicket for Knight Riders. He became the third bowler overall and first overseas player to reach the milestone. 

Punjab, who lost their previous game to Rajasthan Royals, have a one-point lead over Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Rajasthan and Gujarat. It was Kolkata’s third successive win as they stayed eighth in the points table after nine games, rebounding after five losses and a no-result.