Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) managed to better their position on the points table with a win over in-form Delhi Capitals (DC). KKR chased down the target of 128 with 10 balls to spare which helped in improving their net run rate. On the other hand, Rishabh Pant’s side conceded their first defeat since the resumption of second phase of the tournament.
Narine’s cameo
While Nitish Rana anchored the run chase and later accelerated, Sunil Narine prevented the game from going into the last over. The Caribbean scored 21 runs from 10 deliveries including one four and two sixes.
Avesh magic, Pant’s mistake
In hindsight, Pant may feel that he may have overused Lalit, especially when there were overs left from Avesh Khan, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje and Axar Patel. The wicketkeeper-batsman may have not used left-arm spinner Patel because there were two left-handed batters in the middle. However, even then he had plenty options to choose from. The second highest wicket-taker of the tournament took three wickets for 13 runs in his three overs including Rahul Tripathi, Dinesh Karthik and Tim Southee.
Smith’s return
Steve Smith played his first match of the second phase of IPL 2021 as DC’s fourth overseas pick. Replacing an injured Prithvi Shaw, Smith registered his highest score in the season so far. The Aussie batter scored 39 runs from 34 balls but failed to convert it into a big score, getting bowled by Lockie Ferguson.
DC collapse
Only three DC batters managed to score in double-digits. Shreyas Iyer got out early for the first time this season. Shimron Hetmyer, Lalit Yadav and bowling all-rounder Patel and R Ashwin disappointed too. Ferguson, Sunil Narine and newcomer Venkatesh Iyer picked up two wickets on a tricky pitch for batting.
Venkatesh, the bowler
KKR needed a sixth bowler after their frontline bowler Ferguson injured his hamstring. Venkatesh Iyer stood up to the task and not only filled in for him but took the wickets of Hetmyer and Patel. The skipper showed more faith in the youngster and chose to give him his full quota of overs ahead of Sandeep Warrier.
In heat of the moment
DC’s R Ashwin and KKR’s Southee and Eoin Morgan were involved in a heated exchange. Southee gave Ashwin a send-off after dismissing him in the last over and Morgan too had a few words for the off-spinner. Karthik’s intervention prevented any further exchange between the players in the heat of the moment. Later, Ashwin got the wicket of Englishman and gave him a send-off.
