IPL 2018: Leading Run-Scorers, Top Wicket-Takers, Averages and More T20 Stats

The Kolkata Knight Riders (163/3) beat Rajasthan Royals (160/8) by seven wickets at Jaipur's Sawai Mansingh Stadium in the 2018 Indian Premier League on Wednesday.

Dinesh Karthik hit six late in the 18th over to seal the win. Nitish Rana also delivered a terrific all-round display, including 35 runs, while Robin Uthappa delivered 48 runs to help see off the Royals.

D'Arcy Short had hit 44 for the Royals, who set a respectable target before the Knight Riders took over.

Rana and Karthik have improved their tallies in the race for the orange cap, with the latter joining the top five. Meanwhile, Royals batsman Sanju Samson couldn't close the gap on Virat Kohli after being caught by Kuldeep Yadav off an Andre Russell delivery.

Here are the updated orange and purple cap standings after Wednesday's match:

Orange Cap Leaders (Runs)

1. Virat Kohli, Royal Challengers Bangalore (201)

2. Sanju Samson, Rajasthan Royals (185)

3. Nitish Rana, Kolkata Knight Riders (162)

4. Andre Russell, Kolkata Knight Riders (153)

5. Dinesh Karthik, Kolkata Knight Riders (151)

Purple Cap Leaders (Wickets)

1. Mayank Markande, Mumbai Indians (8)

2. Chris Woakes, Royal Challengers Bangalore (8)

3. Sunil Narine, Kolkata Knight Riders (7)

4. Umesh Yadav, Royal Challengers Bangalore (7)

5. Rahul Tewatia, Delhi Daredevils, (6)

Best Bowling Average

1. Nitish Rana, Kolkata Knight Riders (5.50)

2. Krunal Pandya, Mumbai Indians (11.80)

3. Sandeep Sharma, Sunrisers Hyderabad (12.50)

4. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Sunrisers Hyderabad (14.00)

5. Mayank Markande, Mumbai Indians (14.12)

All statistics per the IPL official website.

Kolkata were set a run chase of 161, a figure Robin Uthappa attacked with gusto on his way to an impressive 48. His successful scoring came to an end when Ben Stokes produced a fine catch for the Royals.

Sky Sports Cricket relayed the moment Stokes got Uthappa out:

Stokes' catch left Kolkata needing 59 runs off 45 balls. Dinesh Karthik and Nitish Rana steadily put some runs on the board, but the Knight Riders needed quicker scoring.

Even so, Kolkata had chipped away enough to need 35 from 24 after the final time out. Things picked up when Karthik smashed a six off Jaydev Unadkat, with Rana soon following with another six.

Stokes bowled the penultimate over, but Karthik soon sent a delivery to the boundary as the Knight Riders closed in on the total they needed. Victory was confirmed when Karthik slogged a Ben Laughlin ball over the top for six.

Cricbuzz showed the game's best players, making special note of Rana's quality in both phases:

"

Nitish Rana's impressive all-round performance lifts #KKR to number 1 spot as they beat #RR at their fortress

Top performers:

Rana - (2/11 and 35*)
Uthappa - 48
Karthik - 42*#RRvKKR #IPL2018 pic.twitter.com/jrkUrAFs5j

— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) April 18, 2018"

The Knight Riders have deservedly gone top, but Sunrisers Hyderabad can change the picture at the summit of the table by beating Kings XI Punjab on Thursday.