At the Eden Gardens on Sunday, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) defeated the Lucknow Super Giants by eight wickets to record their fourth victory of the year. Phil Salt (89*), Shreyas Iyer (38*), and Mitchell Starc (3/28) were the architects. This season, KKR broke their losing record against the young IPL team and increased their lead to eight points with the previous coach of LSG, Gautam Gambhir, in the Knights’ dugout.
Shreyas, anchor, destroyer Salt
After Sunil Narine ignited Kolkata’s run chase in a spectacular way, Salt emerged as the team’s major destroyer. In the third over, he hit Krunal Pandya three fours, helping KKR reach 58/2 during a powerplay. With just 26 balls to go, he reached his 50 as KKR completed the chase in 15.4 overs thanks to his kamikaze style of play. Shreyas Iyer, Salt’s captain, held up his half of the agreement and provided excellent support by acting as the ideal anchor for his teammate who scored freely. The two removed the wind from LSG’s sails by raising their partnership to 100 runs in just 65 balls.
The LSG pace attack’s inexperience was evident, despite the fact that a returned Mohsin Khan initially startled the Knights by claiming two wickets in the opening six overs. A prime example was when Shamar Joseph, the newest speed wonder from the West Indies, gave up 22 runs on his IPL debut as Salt and Narine were having fun. With the exception of Mohsin, none of his other pacers would do any better. Yash Thakur, Arshad Khan, and Pandya would all frequently give up runs, which is a terrible sin when defending a low total on a fast outfield.
Starc in terms of money
Shreyas’s choice to field first caused quite a stir because of the oppressive heat in Kolkata on Sunday, which reached a high of 39 degrees. However, the bowlers from KKR would pull together, even if Gambhir had only the day before stressed the benefits of teamwork. They held LSG to their lowest point total against KKR this season, 49 for 2, on the powerplay.
They were ecstatic when Mitchell Starc, who cost $24.75, delivered three wickets at a cost of just 28 runs. Acknowledging his limitations and not aiming for inexistent motion, he explained the reappearance of Deepak Hooda, a ferocious Nicholas Pooran, and Arshad Khan. This encounter may have set up the lanky Australian for a deadly IPL season, especially with Gambhir’s backing. “I look to pitch that ball up and swing it; it’s part of my job. However, he had to drag the length back on that wicket,” he would remark, considering his versatility, in the post-innings conversation.
Marcus Stoinis would last just 5 balls scoring 10, ultimately falling to Varun Chakaravarthy while Ayush Badoni (29) was snapped up by Narine. Pooran almost pulled off a rescue act for LSG but he was outfoxed by Starc, nicking behind for an easy catch to wicketkeeper Salt. However, without his 45 off 32, it would have been impossible for Lucknow to reach 161.
After hitting ten runs in only five balls, Marcus Stoinis was dismissed by Varun Chakaravarthy, and Narine took Ayush Badoni (29), who was replaced by Marcus Stoinis. Pooran came dangerously close to save the day for LSG, but Starc outwitted him and nicked behind for a simple catch by wicketkeeper Salt. Nevertheless, Lucknow could not have reached 161 without his 45 off 32.
Fear of Rahul’s conversion
When Ramandeep Singh caught KL Rahul in the deep off a delivery from Andre Russell in the eleventh over, Rahul was unable to convert another strong start. The captain of Lucknow looked in commanding form as he progressively changed gears following a steady start, even striking a six off the preceding ball before being dismissed. Only after de Kock and Deepak Hooda went down in the powerplay did he manage to steady his team.
As the argument over strike rates rages on, Rahul, who has frequently been chastised for his poor start, dispatched Arora for a six and then followed it up with a boundary over the covers off Starc. But following the powerplay, he slowed down. After hitting for 176.92 in the first six overs, his strike rate dropped to 114.28. Maybe that created a risk that didn’t end up being profitable. His current IPL score of 39, 39, 33, 20, 15, and 58 is concerning for his team.
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