Kyle Mills, the bowling coach of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) praised the team’s young bowlers; Kamlesh Nagarkoti, spinner Varun Chakravarthy and pacer Shivam Mavi for their resilience after Kolkata Knight Riders defeated Rajasthan Royals to stay alive in IPL 2020 playoff race on Sunday, November 1.
While Pat Cummins picked 4 wickets conceding 34 runs, pacers Shivam Mavi, Kamlesh Nagarkoti and spinner Varun Chakravarthy played key supporting roles combining for 5 wickets conceding just 59 runs in 12 overs.
Kyle Mills: Young Lads Stepped Up Under Pressure And Were Resilient Enough
The tight bowling from the trio contributed in KKR’s win, and Kyle Mills was vocal about their success after the match. Shivam Mavi was the most economical of the trio picking two wickets conceding only 15 runs while Varun Chakravarthy picked 2 wickets for 20 runs and Kamlesh Nagarkoti returned with figures of 1/24.
“Resilient is the word which we can use across all facets of life. In cricket, the thing gets really tough and few guys really stood up today, the young lads Nagarkoti, Varun, Shivam Mavi playing some under the same condition,” said Mills in a video on the KKR website.
“You guys stepped up when pressure was on and if cricket is the life, you need to hold onto that feeling and those emotions and know the fact that you get through tough situations where you need resilient to get through,” he added.
Before the game, KKR were languishing at the bottom of the table with 12 points. But with the win on Sunday (November 1), the Eoin Morgan-led side moved to the fourth spot in the points table with 14 points from 14 matches.
Brendon McCullum Praised Intent Of KKR Players While James Foster Reckons Dinesh Karthik’s Stunning Catch Was Game-Changing Moment
KKR head coach former KKR and New Zealand’s wicket-keeper batsman Brendon McCullum also praised the intent shown by the players in the must-win game against Rajasthan.
“We could have said we didn’t win the toss, conditions were against us or this is not our year but each time we managed to find out the way,” said McCullum
“The intent shown by leaders, in particular, was outstanding, who knows what happens from. We may or may not qualify but for me, the guys have what we needed to do today,” he added.
Meanwhile, according to fielding coach James Foster, wicketkeeper former captain Dinesh Karthik’s flying catch to dismiss in-form England batsman Ben Stokes was the game-changing moment.
“DK, it was a hell of a catch tonight!. That was a real game-changer. What I enjoyed about the catch is everyone celebrated with you,” said Foster.
Wicket-keeper Dinesh Karthik caught Ben Stokes off the bowling of Pat Cummins, who picked a four-wicket haul sending back Robin Uthappa, Stokes, Steven Smith and Riyan Parag within 5 overs to left Rajasthan reeling at 37/5 in the Powerplay.