XtraTime Web Desk: With the win against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Kolkata Knight Riders registered their first victory in this year’s Indian Premier League.
Sunrisers Hyderabad scored 142 runs in the first innings and in the second innings, KKR won it quite comfortably. Losing few wickets in an important stage but KKR still had Shubman Gill and Eoin Morgan in the middle and they did it for the team. Gill scored 70 of 62 balls while Morgan scored 42 in 29 balls. With their partnership of 92 runs, KKR won the match by 7 wickets and with 2 overs to go.
The young Shubman Gill was chosen the man of the match because of his spectacular performance. The man of the hour said, “I think the ball wasn’t spinning much and was easy to hit down the ground. I have practiced power hitting in the last couple of years. I think it was important for us to win. We bowled really and we had to back it up with a good performance.”
The partnership between Morgan-Gill was the turning point of the match. About the partnership, Gill said, “There weren’t any long conversations with Morgan. We were just trying to anticipate what the bowlers can try and do. As an opener it is my duty to see my team through.”
The winning captain Dinesh Karthik said in the post match conference that it was important for them to win. He said, “Always good to get on board. We have been working really hard. I think one of the advantages of having all-rounders and it is a privilege to use them whenever I can. The fact that we have been able to groom the youngsters is pleasing.”
Kamlesh Nagarkoti was out of the tournament for two straight years. The captain called it an emotional journey and said, “It has been an emotional journey for us with Nagarkoti for the last couple of year’s. But credit to the management to have stuck to him. It feels good to see the youngsters is pleasing.”
The losing Captain David Warner disclosed the reason why he chose to bat first. He said, “I think I got my decision right. For us, our strength is death bowling. I thought it was actually a difficult wicket to accelerate on. I don’t regret what I did at the beginning of the game and I stick by my decision.”
His Australian teammate Pat Cummings was brilliant for KKR today. Speaking about that Warner said, “Cummins bowled Test match line and length. There was a little bit of movement. It got harder in the middle. We went four or five overs for 20 probably killed us a bit there. Extra 30 or 40 runs would have been great. We have to go harder at the top. Can’t help if the bowlers are bowling right lines and lengths.”