Parthiv Patel and Graeme Swann were baffled that Kolkata lacked intent. Kolkata Knight Riders managed to post only 133 for 9 on a good batting surface in Mumbai after their batsmen failed yet again. Andre Russell, who came into bat only in the 16th over, managed to hit just 9 runs against Rajasthan Royals while the likes of Dinesh Karthik, Nitish Rana, Shubman Gill, and Eoin Morgan fared no better.
Former England spinner Graeme Swann said it was surprising to see Kolkata Knight Riders’ lack of intent in Match 18 of IPL 2021 against Rajasthan Royals on Saturday. Kolkata Knight Riders managed just 133 for 9 in the stipulated 20 overs after being sent into bat at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai where totals in excess of 180 have been regularly posted this season.
Kolkata Knight Riders Weren’t Trying To Hit Boundaries In The First 15 Overs Which Was Strange Enough: Graeme Swann
Graeme Swann said it seemed as if Kolkata Knight Riders weren’t looking to force the pace by looking for boundaries after the 2-time champions kept losing regular wickets despite not taking too many risks in the first 15 overs of their innings. KKR started cautiously and were 25 for 1 at the end of the powerplay after losing Shubman Gill for just 11 runs despite the Royals dropping the young opener once.
KKR’s decision to send Sunil Narine at No. 4 also didn’t work according to the plans as the pinch-hitter fell for 6. Captain Eoin Morgan, who came in at No. 5, unfortunately, fell for 0 without facing a delivery as he was run out at the non-striker’s end after a mix-up with Rahul Tripathi. Nitish Rana and Rahul Tripathi got a 33-run stand going but they were not able to impart any momentum into the innings.
KKR were 93 for 4 at the end of 15 overs and they held back dashing batsman Andre Russell, who had hit a quickfire fifty in the previous match against CSK. Andre Rusell, who walked into bat in the 16th over, managed just 9 runs as Chris Morris picked up his wicket and removed a well-set Dinesh Karthik in the same over which was the 18th over of KKR’s innings.
Pat Cummins hit a six in the final over but he was undone by a slower ball from Chris Morris, who finished with figures of 4/23. It was a strange inning from Kolkata as their top order and renowned batsmen failed to get going once again.
“Well, I am not sure what his plan was. It certainly wasn’t about being aggressive. You expect them to go out and play aggressively, given they have Brendon McCullum as their coach,” Graeme Swann told Star Sports.
“But 25 for 1 in the first 6 overs. Very, very confusing. I mean, the guys bowled well, the lefties (from Rajasthan) bowled well. There was a brilliant run-out as well. But the first 15 overs, it didn’t really seem like KKR were trying to hit boundaries. Very strange but maybe it’s one of those days when things didn’t work for them,” he added.
Rahul Tripathi was the top scorer with 36 runs of 26 balls with the help of 1 four and 2 sixes as he was the only one who was looking to be aggressive but the others succumbed under pressure and were dismissed in order to increase the run rate.
Kolkata Knight Riders Didn’t Show Intent: Parthiv Patel
Meanwhile, former India wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel said he was baffled that Kolkata didn’t use the likes of Andre Russell properly despite his fireworks at the same venue a couple of nights ago. Andre Russell hit a six but he was caught in the deep mid-wicket when trying to clear the boundary again in the 18th over against Chris Morris.
“I agree with Swann. There was no intent there. Some of the shots they played, some of the run-outs, it seemed as if they were not looking for runs. In the first 6 overs, you have to take your chances.” Parthiv Patel said.
“You can’t just block it out, especially on a wicket like this. They did not utilize Andre Russell. In the kind of form he is, he can’t play only the last 4 overs,” Pathiv Patel said.
Kolkata Knight Riders headed into Match 18 on the back of three successive defeats. After Rajasthan’s win by 6 wickets, KKR is placed at the last 8th spot. Rajasthan achieved the target losing only 4 wickets as skipper Sanju Samson scored a 41 ball 42 while David Miller scored 24 off 23 balls and both were unbeaten. Kolkata Knight Riders are languishing at the bottom place with 1 win and 4 losses.
Brief Scores: Rajasthan Royals 134/4 (Sanju Samson 42*, David Miller 24; Varun Chakravarthy 2/32) beat Kolkata Knight Riders 133/9 (Rahul Tripathi 36, Dinesh Karthik 25; Chris Morris 4/23) by 6 wickets.