Hyderabad: Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) made to the play-offs of the IPL with a five-wicket win over Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) yesterday, rising to the occasion and displaying in abundance the quality that sets apart a two-time champions.

Opting to bat, hosts SRH were restricted to 172 for nine after a flying start at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.

Playing in their crucial final league game, KKR held their nerves to chase down a target of 173 with two balls to spare. If young medium pacer Prasidh Krishna’s three wickets in the last over was highlight of KKR’s rally with the ball, openers Chrish Lynn and Sunil Narine’s scintillating start, scoring 52 runs in 3.4 overs, headlined the two-time winners’ response with the bat.

While Lynn struck a brisk 55 off 43 balls with three sixes and four boundaries, Narine smashed 29 in just 10 to set up KKR’s chase.

Robin Uthappa, who got a life early in his innings, contributed 45 off 34 balls, as the visitors became the third team to qualify for the play-offs after CSK and their tonight’s opponents.

Chris Lynn was chosen as the Player of the Match.

RR score over RCB

Young Shreyas Gopal spun a web around a star-studded Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) batting line-up with a brilliant four for 16, helping Rajasthan Royals (RR) to a 30-run victory to keep his side in the reckoning for a play-offs berth in the IPL in Jaipur on yesterday.

The 24-year-old leg-spinner led a fine bowling display by the home side as it shot RCB out for just 134 in 19.2 overs after opening batsman Rahul Tripathi had helped the Royals post a competitive 164/5 with a solid unbeaten 80 off 58 balls. The Royals opted to bat in their final league game. South African superstar AB de Villiers briefly threatened to take the game away in RCB’s favour with a 35-ball 53 but Gopal and his bowling colleagues ensured Royals’ victory.

Shreyas Gopal was chosen as the Player of the Match.