It rained sixes at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata but in the end, Harshit Rana stole the show by defending 13 runs in the last over against a rampant Heinrich Klaasen. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) captain Shreyas Iyer was nervous as he saw Klaasen hit huge sixes in the slog overs to get close to the target. When the most expensive bowler of Indian Premier League (IPL) history, Mitchell Starc went for 26 runs in the penultimate over, Iyer handed the ball to a 22-year-old Rana.
He was hit for a six on the first ball by Klaasen but the youngster held his nerves to concede just two runs and pick up a couple of wickets in the last over. In the post-match presentation, Iyer revealed what he told the inexperienced bowler before the final six deliveries.
“Right from the 17th over, had butterflies in my stomach. Felt anything could happen in the last over. They needed 13 runs and we didn't have the most experienced bowler. But I had the belief in him, and I told him to back himself and it doesn't matter what happens. He was a bit nervous coming in, and I just looked him in the eye and told him 'this is your moment, buddy.' Told him to back himself and doesn't matter what happens in the game,” Iyer told the broadcasters.
Iyer praises Russell, Narine
Iyer lauded KKR's veteran all-rounders Andre Russell and Sunil Narine. While Russell's unbeaten 25-ball 64 helped KKR post 208/7, Narine did not concede a single boundary and picked up the wicket of Rahul Tripathi.
“They have such experience. Great to see Andre perform with bat and ball, and even Sunny (Narine) was splendid with the ball. Fantastic to have them around,’ he said.
Iyer happy with win in season opener
Iyer was happy with the close win. Despite a few outstanding displays in the field, he feels it is an area where they can get better.
“Always gives you motivation when you start with a win. This game also gives us a lot of learnings, there is a lot we will take from this ground. I think fielding is an area we need to improve on. It was so loud out there, it was difficult to signal to the other players from the deep,” he concluded.
The 29-year-old on his IPL return was dismissed for a two-ball duck by T Natarajan. He will have a chance to contribute with the bat against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on May 29.
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