Xtra Time Web Desk : Kolkata Knight Riders on Monday clinched a huge 52 run victory over five time champions Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League in what was an eventful match at the DY Patil Stadium. But what was more interesting was winning captain Shreyas Iyer’s bombshell at the post match presentation ceremony, regarding the team selection policy.
Putting in to bat first, the chopped and changed KKR side which made five changes from last match, brought back the opening pair of the opening game in Venkatesh Iyer and Ajinkya Rahane, which paid off as Venkatesh played a devastating innings of 43 from just 24 balls and gave a good start to his team in the power play.
A match which after the first 14 overs of the KKR innings was completely dominated by a fiery Jasprit Bumrah, who took a five fer within a couple of overs, went in vain as the Kolkata franchise bundled out the fragile looking Mumbai Indians batting for just a score of 113.
Despite the controversy regarding Rohit Sharma’s dismissal, the main talking point throughout the match was KKR’s chopping and changing policy, which led them to make the highest number of changes (22) in the tournament.
And after the match, winning skipper Shreyas Iyer opened up on this policy of the franchise and said, “It’s really difficult (Number of changes in the squad). I was also in that position once when I started playing IPL. We discuss with the coaches, CEO is also involved in team selection, Bas goes to the players and tells them if they’re not playing. All of them are very supportive of the decision-making. The way they turn up to the ground, each and every individual in the playing XI, it’s something to be proud of as a captain.”
Apart from Shreyas, KKR opener Venkatesh Iyer also opened up in the post match presentation ceremony on his come back to the side after being dropped for a couple of games.
“I was dropped for a couple of games. Coming back and opening the innings was good. The most important thing is we won. That’s what feels good. Irrespective of what you contribute, if the team wins, naturally you feel happy. It’s important to contribute to the team, whether I bowl or field or bat, you always want to contribute to the side irrespective of whatever skill you are trying to do. Fielding is something very important to me, so is bowling. Unfortunately I didn’t get a lot of overs, but whatever overs I get, I ensure I do the job that the captain wants me to do,” said the 27 year old Southpaw.
Now, with only a couple of games remaining, Kolkata Knight Riders would like to win them in order to compete for a playoff spot, which currently looks unlikely.