218/4 (20.0)
CR : 10.90
247/2 (20.0)
CR : 12.35
Kolkata Knight Riders won by 29 runs 🏆
Player of the Match
Sunil Narine
2/29
11:45 PM IST, Local Time: Anjum Chopra is ready with the post-match presentation...
Super Striker of the Match: Finn Allen (SR of 265.71)
Most Sixes in the Match: Finn Allen (10 Maximums)
Most Fours in the Match: Sai Sudharsan (6 Fours)
Most Dot Balls in the Match: Sunil Narine (11 Dots)
Ajinkya Rahane (Kolkata Knight Riders Captain): "[Eventful game, good game, full of runs. How did you see it?] Very good game! Really happy with the two points. Tired, it was very humid inside, but really happy with the way we started with the bat, losing the toss and then put into bat. Amazing to see Finn Allen, Angkrish and Cameron Green's knocks. That partnership. That intent. And every single time, putting quality bowlers under pressure. It was amazing. So credit goes to these batters.
[Chat around the team heading into this game, and how did the team take it?] Preparation has always been fantastic. I mean, the guys have been preparing really well. The talk was all about taking one game at a time. We know the scenario where we stand at the moment. So it's simple. And as I said earlier, cricket is a game. When you keep it really simple, don't make it complicated, it works the most for you. So tonight, batters backed their strength. As I said, the intent was amazing. Don't forget they have a quality bowling attack, all the pace bowlers, and a spinner as well. So it was amazing to see batters going out there and dominating each and every time. And also when we were bowling, the new guy, Saurabh Dubey, has been fantastic. Kartik has been really good. So it was an overall performance. I thought it was a fantastic effort from the bowling unit.
[What does he say to the young bowlers in the team, and what does he expect from them?] It's all about trusting their ability. All these guys have been doing really well in the domestic season. And I always felt that whenever you are doing well in the domestic, you carry that confidence forward. And that's what's really helped me as well whenever I was doing well in the domestic. So that's working well for them. Saurabh Dubey played well in the Vidarbha league. He bowled well there. When he came here, all the bowlers and the coaches thought he had the talent and height as well. And he's been working really hard with the bowling coaches. So the message from my side is basically nothing. So credit goes to these guys who've been doing really well, working really hard. And it's all about belief. It's all about confidence.
[About Sunil Narine] Makes my job really easy. When you know Sunil Narine is in your team, and Varun was struggling, but still, I mean, credit to him as well. He showed that courage to play this game. He had this sore foot. But when you have Sunil Narine and Varun Chakaravarthy in your team, I can't ask for more. I mean, I'm always happy. I can throw the ball any time from whichever end. And they're always there to deliver. So really happy.
[All the best for the upcoming game] Thank you."
[Chat around the team heading into this game, and how did the team take it?] Preparation has always been fantastic. I mean, the guys have been preparing really well. The talk was all about taking one game at a time. We know the scenario where we stand at the moment. So it's simple. And as I said earlier, cricket is a game. When you keep it really simple, don't make it complicated, it works the most for you. So tonight, batters backed their strength. As I said, the intent was amazing. Don't forget they have a quality bowling attack, all the pace bowlers, and a spinner as well. So it was amazing to see batters going out there and dominating each and every time. And also when we were bowling, the new guy, Saurabh Dubey, has been fantastic. Kartik has been really good. So it was an overall performance. I thought it was a fantastic effort from the bowling unit.
[What does he say to the young bowlers in the team, and what does he expect from them?] It's all about trusting their ability. All these guys have been doing really well in the domestic season. And I always felt that whenever you are doing well in the domestic, you carry that confidence forward. And that's what's really helped me as well whenever I was doing well in the domestic. So that's working well for them. Saurabh Dubey played well in the Vidarbha league. He bowled well there. When he came here, all the bowlers and the coaches thought he had the talent and height as well. And he's been working really hard with the bowling coaches. So the message from my side is basically nothing. So credit goes to these guys who've been doing really well, working really hard. And it's all about belief. It's all about confidence.
[About Sunil Narine] Makes my job really easy. When you know Sunil Narine is in your team, and Varun was struggling, but still, I mean, credit to him as well. He showed that courage to play this game. He had this sore foot. But when you have Sunil Narine and Varun Chakaravarthy in your team, I can't ask for more. I mean, I'm always happy. I can throw the ball any time from whichever end. And they're always there to deliver. So really happy.
[All the best for the upcoming game] Thank you."
Player of the Match: Sunil Narine
Sunil Narine (Player of the Match): "(On his bowling performance tonight) I think it comes with hard work. Guys have been preparing well for this game. I think we have been putting in the hard yards and it's showing. Hopefully we can continue to win cricket games no matter what the tournament has in store for us.
(What's his ideal role in the team?) Nothing much. It's all about planning what's in front of you. Every game brings a different challenge. I just try to come on top of that challenge. Today was something, next day will be something different. I will try to win those scenarios rather than overthinking. If you overthink things, it will get tough for you.
(Was he told that it's his 200th game tonight?) I mean, yeah, being a senior guy and god has given me the talent, the health and strength to 200. Hopefully, I play many more. It's a blessing. It's something that has gone a long way and it's a long journey for me. Hopefully I can continue to perform like this and play as long as possible."
(What's his ideal role in the team?) Nothing much. It's all about planning what's in front of you. Every game brings a different challenge. I just try to come on top of that challenge. Today was something, next day will be something different. I will try to win those scenarios rather than overthinking. If you overthink things, it will get tough for you.
(Was he told that it's his 200th game tonight?) I mean, yeah, being a senior guy and god has given me the talent, the health and strength to 200. Hopefully, I play many more. It's a blessing. It's something that has gone a long way and it's a long journey for me. Hopefully I can continue to perform like this and play as long as possible."
Most Player of the Match Awards in IPL
25 - AB de Villiers
22 - Chris Gayle
21 - Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli
18 - MS Dhoni, David Warner, Sunil Narine*
17 - Ravindra Jadeja, KL Rahul
25 - AB de Villiers
22 - Chris Gayle
21 - Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli
18 - MS Dhoni, David Warner, Sunil Narine*
17 - Ravindra Jadeja, KL Rahul
An IPL game at a semi-packed Eden Gardens after a month and it turned out to be a memorable one for the home fans as Kolkata Knight Riders secured a comprehensive win to keep their playoff hopes alive. KKR simply out batted the Titans, who eventually fell short by 29 runs. Finn Allen dazzled with the bat, while the ‘GOAT’ Sunil Narine once again delivered with the ball.
Up next, it’s a Super Sunday double-header tomorrow — the second-last one of the tournament. Punjab Kings host RCB in Dharamsala in the afternoon in what is a must-win clash for PBKS. Later in the evening, we head to Delhi where DC take on RR in another crucial encounter for both sides.
For now, this is Pritam Dey signing off on behalf of my colleagues Ajay Pal Singh, AkshayaKrishna Polya, Manish Bishnoi, Paras Yadav, and Aman, who brought you all the updates from this high-scoring contest. BYE BYE👋
Up next, it’s a Super Sunday double-header tomorrow — the second-last one of the tournament. Punjab Kings host RCB in Dharamsala in the afternoon in what is a must-win clash for PBKS. Later in the evening, we head to Delhi where DC take on RR in another crucial encounter for both sides.
For now, this is Pritam Dey signing off on behalf of my colleagues Ajay Pal Singh, AkshayaKrishna Polya, Manish Bishnoi, Paras Yadav, and Aman, who brought you all the updates from this high-scoring contest. BYE BYE👋