The 41st match between Eoin Morgan led Kolkata Knight Riders and Rishabh Pant led Delhi Capitals was a low-scoring one. Put in to bat first, both Steve Smith and Shikhar Dhawan started well but due to the middle-order failure, they could manage 127 runs in 20 overs. Pant top-scored with 39.
While chasing KKR too got off to a steady start. While Nitish Rana scored 36, a quick cameo from Sunil Narine (21 off 10) took the team home. And, the captain credited the head coach as well.
Bowls in the powerplay, chokes in the middle, defends at the death. Keeps evolving & comes back stronger with new actions, retaining the mystery.
Roles with bat: Top order biffer, spin enforcer in the middle overs, & now FINISHER.
Sunil Narine: An absolute legend of T20 Sport. pic.twitter.com/KIvtXMgviu
— Srini Mama (@SriniMaama16) September 28, 2021
Sunil Narine, the Player of the Match said: “Watching a few games here, knew there’s a bit of spin here. Didn’t want to get too full. I’ve been through a lot. Need to give credit to bowling coach, that’s a plus and that’s been key for me to come back. Batting in the middle-order is challenging. Its pleasing to see hardwork paying off after a long time. I think we are playing some good cricket. A few niggles, but that said we are playing good cricket.”
Eoin Morgan, the winning captain said: “Delighted. Tough playing two-day games in three days. But delighted to get a couple of points. Winning toss and fielding is not an easy thing to do. Guys were more calculated today, and it came off. When the outfield is slow, if you are cagey it can come back to hurt you. Both sides played the game hard. On a hot day, things can boil over. Thankfully it didn’t. We all played in the right spirit. And its a tough contest against Delhi Capitals. Full credit has to go to our coach Brendon McCullum. Its his ethos, his mindset, and the boys have bought into that.”
Venkatesh Iyer has brought a new change in #KKR, first with bat and now giving some vital overs.
— Bhawana (@bhawnakohli5) September 28, 2021
Venkatesh Iyer, the star performer said: “Felt good with the ball. Always had the confidence that I can deliver with the ball. I do practice the yorker a lot. I practice with my bowling coach Anand Rajan. For me, it’s about accuracy and bowling to my field. As long as my execution is current, I am extremely satisfied. I think to be a player who can help in all three departments is good. I thrive fielding as well. I’ve always wanted to be that cricketer.”
Delhi captain Rishabh Pant said: “I think we were 10 short, not much. We knew wicket would slow down in the second innings. But every team is trying to win the match. We want to give 100% and if it doesn’t go our way we will learn and move on. Batting was pretty difficult for new batters. We wanted to capitalise in the end with the bat, but we lost wickets and ended up 10 short. Bowling performance – really happy. There isn’t a massive change that we need to do.”
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