Kolkata Knight Riders confirmed a spot for themselves in the IPL playoffs with a five-wicket win over Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Chasing 173 for victory at the Rajiv Gandhi International stadium in Hyderabad, Dinesh Karthik’s men won with two balls to spare in the end.

Here we look at the key talking points from the clash.

RUSSELL’S EVENTFUL OVER KICKSTARTS SUNRISERS INNINGS

After choosing to bat first, Sunrisers openers Shikhar Dhawan and Shreevats Goswami had started circumspectly in the first two overs. Things then kicked off in the third over bowled by Andre Russell. Goswami was adjudged to be caught behind to a sharp bouncer but a prompt review from the batsman overturned the decision.

Goswami then took the attack to Russell with a six and three boundaries off the remaining deliveries as 20 runs came from the over.  That impetus was carried forward by the openers as Sunrisers ended the powerplay with 60 runs without the loss of a wicket.

Both Dhawan and Goswami were equally prolific as the duo brought up Sunrisers Hyderabad’s highest opening partnership (79) this season.

SUNRISERS LOSE THEIR WAY AFTER BREEZY WILLIAMSON CAMEO

After the openers’ strong start, Kane Williamson came in and played a breezy and entertaining cameo of 36 runs off just 17 balls to give the hosts the perfect platform to launch off in the death overs. At 141-2 at the end of 15 overs, Sunrisers were looking at a total in excess of 200 runs but they lost their way as the batsmen to follow failed to make the most of the advantage.

The likes of Manish Pandey, Yusuf Pathan, Carlos Brathwaite and Shakib Al Hasan failed to deliver as Kolkata starved the hosts of any momentum.

Ultimately, only 31 runs came off the final five overs while seven more wickets fell as the wheels came off Sunrisers’ innings.

NARINE AND LYNN OPENING SALVO SETS UP EASY WIN FOR KOLKATA

Kolkata’s openers started their chase of 173 in the most explosive of fashions with Sunil Narine playing the only way he knows. The West Indies all-rounder tore into Sandeep Sharma as 20 runs came off the second over. Narine’s quick-fire cameo of 36 runs from just 17 balls set the tone for the chase as 60 runs came in the first five overs.

Post his departure, Lynn took up the mantle of taking the attack to the bowlers with the swashbuckling Aussie going on to register his third half-century of the season. By the time Lynn departed for a well-made 55 in the 14^th overs, the visitors were already cruising towards a comfortable victory.