WATCH: Shivam Mavi Dismisses Bhanuka Rajapaksa After Getting Smacked For 22 Runs In 4 Balls

KKR vs PBKS IPL 2022: Bhanuka Rajapksa smashes Shivam Mavi for 22 runs in 4 balls only to get dismissed on the 5th.

Cricket Image for WATCH: Shivam Mavi Dismisses Bhanuka Rajapaksa After Getting Smacked For 22 Runs I (Image Source: Twitter)

KKR vs PBKS IPL 2022: In the batter-dominated T20 format, the bowlers often are treated unfairly and are taken for runs despite bowling well enough. Young Indian pacer Mavi, who was brought in as an extra bowler in place of Sheldon Jackson, was smacked for 22 runs in 4 balls against Bhanuka. However, the ball didn't lose his skills and dismissed the batter on the 5th ball. 

In the 7th match of IPL 2022 between Kolkata Knight Riders and Punjab Kings, KKR bowlers picked up regular wickets and made sure none of the Punjab Kings' batter could settle at the crease. However, there was a single partnership for Punjab Kings which added substantial runs. And, a lot of those runs were scored by Sri Lankan wicketkeeper-batter Bhanuka Rajapaksa. 

Bhanuka added 41 runs off 17 balls along with Shikhar Dhawan for the 2nd wicket, out of which 31 runs were scored by the Sri Lankan. In the 4th over being bowled by young Shivam Mavi, Bhanuka took on the bowler and scored a four while going across the line and managed a thick edge of the bat on the ball to send the ball for four down fine leg. 

On the second delivery, Bhanuka stepped out and smacked a six easily over mid-on. Mavi delivered the third ball in the slot on the leg side, and the left-hander yet again whipped the ball away over mid-wicket with comfort. The fourth delivery was a slower ball which was yet again deposited in the stands with a heavy bat swing. 

However, on the 5th delivery, Bhanuka played his first shot of the over towards the offside. Trying to flat-bat the ball down the ground, the batter didn't have any room and mishit as well as mistimed it straight to Tim Southee fielding at mid-off, who completed the catch successfully.

While talking about the match, Kolkata Knight Riders restricted Punjab Kings to 137 in 18.2 overs. Opting to bowl first, Shreyas Iyer made brilliant bowling changes and the wickets kept coming. Umesh Yadav was the pick of the bowlers with 4-23, while Tim Southee picked up 2 wickets whereas Shivam Mavi, Sunil Narine and Andre Russell managed 1 wicket each. KKR now need 138 runs in 20 overs to register their second win in IPL 2022.