After Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) secured a close five-run victory against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in their Indian Premier League (IPL) match, KKR captain Nitish Rana expressed his faith in his spinners as the deciding factor. He highlighted the importance of dismissing Heinrich Klaasen and SRH skipper Aiden Markram in order to secure the win.
“In the middle overs, we bowled a few loose overs and took a gamble with Shardul and Vaibhav and they managed to get both set batters and that is how we made a comeback in this game. We had to get them (Markram and Klaasen) out because if they bat till the end, then surely the game would have gone out of our reach. I had a doubt if I had to go with spinner or pacer and backed my spinner to do the job. I always see who is the best spinner in the game and that’s how I decide whom to back on a given day,” Nitish Rana said in a post-match presentation.
The KKR bowling lineup demonstrated nerves of steel in the final overs, ensuring a narrow win over Sunrisers Hyderabad during the IPL match held in Hyderabad on Thursday. In a post-match presentation, Rana shared his thoughts on their comeback in the game, crediting the gamble with Shardul and Vaibhav, who managed to take out the set batsmen. He also discussed his decision-making process when choosing between a spinner or a pacer, emphasizing the importance of identifying the best spinner for each situation.
In the match itself, KKR chose to bat first and managed to score 171/9 in 20 overs. Standout performances came from Rinku Singh, Nitish Rana, and Andre Russell. Meanwhile, Marco Jansen and T Natrajan shone as the best bowlers for SRH, with Aiden Markram, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mayank Markande, and Kartik Tyagi each taking a wicket.
SRH’s chase of 172 started off rocky, losing four wickets for just 54 runs. However, a crucial 70-run partnership between captain Markram and Klaasen brought SRH back into contention. Ultimately, KKR bowlers managed to hold their ground in the final overs, preventing SRH from achieving victory. KKR’s Shardul Thakur and Vaibhav Arora showcased impressive bowling skills, while Andre Russell, Anukul Roy, Varun Chakravarty, and Harshit Rana each took a wicket.
Varun Chakravarty was awarded ‘Man of the Match’ for his 1/20 spell. KKR currently holds the eighth position with four wins and six losses, totaling eight points. SRH trails in ninth place with three wins and six losses, amassing six points.
KKR vs SRH Score Summary:
- Sunrisers Hyderabad 166/8 (20 ov)
- Kolkata Knight Riders 171/9 (20 ov)
- KKR won by 5 runs.
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