IPL 2021, Qualifier 2: Disciplined bowling helps KKR restrict DC to 135

A fine performance by the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) bowlers helped the franchise restrict Delhi Capitals (DC) to a paltry total of 135 runs. The two teams are battling it out in the Qualifier 2 of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021. On a pitch which provided very limited assistance to the batsmen, there was plenty to cheer for from the KKR perspective. All the bowlers were quite economical in a very crucial encounter, maintaining the pressure at every stage. Shakib Al Hasan, Lockie Ferguson, Sunil Narine, Varun Chakaravarthy and Shivam Mavi combined effectively to ensure limited freedom to the DC batsmen. Varun was the pick of the bowlers from the perspective of wickets taken, with the spinner accounting for two dismissals.

“There’s dew now, It started to set in late – after the 14th over. So it is chaseable. We have played a couple of games here and hence we have an idea about what lengths to bowl. Bowling the right lengths is the key here. The ground is a bit soft, it’s humid as well, so it’s difficult to play here,” said Mavi as quoted by Cricbuzz.

Shikhar Dhawan was the top run-getter for DC, accumulating 36 runs from 39 deliveries in an innings comprising of a boundary and two sixes. Shreyas Iyer provided valuable support, smashing a six off the final ball to ensure a fine finish to proceedings.

Eoin Morgan wins toss, opts to field as Marcus Stoinis returns for crucial encounter

KKR skipper Eoin Morgan opted to field after winning the toss. The Kolkata-based franchise do not enjoy the services of Windies all-rounder Andre Russell, which might come back to haunt them. DC have included all-rounder Marcus Stoinis for the clash, in place of Tom Curran.

“We have played a few games here at Sharjah, so far it’s worked”

Morgan stated that his decision to bowl was influenced by past success enjoyed using the same tactic, in previous games at Sharjah.

“We are going to bowl first. We have played a few games here at Sharjah, so far it’s worked. There might be dew factor later on. We have kept the same side. We are playing some good cricket at the moment, we are confident as a side. Guys know their roles inside out, so hoping to come here today and produce something close to that. Playing DC will be a good test. The mindset that we have had throughout the second phase has been spot-on, guys have looked to play aggressive, smart cricket, which is great. We really enjoyed playing here and hopefully it has put some smiles on people’s faces as well,” said the KKR skipper as quoted by Cricbuzz.

Pant admitted that he would have opted to field as well.

“We would have bowled first. It’s fine, we can’t be thinking about the toss too much, so let’s play some good cricket today. There’s nothing we wanted to change from the last game, just one or two overs here and there would have done us the job. We needed an extra batsman in these kind of tracks, so Stoinis comes in. Tom Curran is out. We are in a great frame of mind, always exciting to play together, always having lot of fun, looking to have fun during the match also,” stated the Indian cricketer.