IPL 2018: Match 15, RR vs KKR - Who Said What

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) breached the fortress of Rajasthan Royals (RR) and halted their nine-match winning streak at the venue. They gunned down the total of 161 easily courtesy some brilliant batting from Robin Uthappa first and then from Nitish Rana along with Dinesh Karthik. it was their bowlers who chipped in with wickets regularly in the first innings and restricted Royals to am middling total. However, the hosts also missed the spar which was much needed in the middle for them and lost the game comfortably.

After being invited to bat first, Royals started cautiously as their batsmen found it difficult to get through the wrist spinnersin the first 3 overs. But Ajinkya Rahane started things going for them by hitting 4 consecutive boundaries off Sunil Narine in the very next over. But the post powerplay phase slowed down the run rate of the hosts as Dinesh Karthik nicely rotated his bowlers. D’Arcy Short stayed in the middle but could only score just over run a ball. Though little cameos down the order helped them post a competitive total of 160 runs after 20 overs.

The chase began on the worst note for the visitors as Chris Lynn bagged a second ball duck. But Robin Uthappa took the attack to the opposition in the powerplay and formed a decent partnership with Narine to put them ahead in the game halfway through the chase. While the latter got run out needlessly, Uthappa continued his onslaught and ensured that he takes his team close to victory. But Ben Stokes’ brilliance at long on sent back into the hut only to make the match a little bit interesting.

But the duo of Nitish Rana and Dinesh Karthik ensured that there were no further hiccups on the way for their side. The chase was sealed in the 19th over comfortably as KKR jumped to the top of the points table after registering their third win of the season.

Man of the Match, Nitish Rana said:

I know that my job is to defend runs and that’s what I was striving for. I bowl regularly in domestic cricket. Backed myself, and I’m lucky to be MoM in both these last two games. Big platform this, we don’t get loose balls regularly.

The ones we get have to be converted into boundaries. That’s why I was getting frustrated that I wasn’t able to put some of them away. It’s there at the back of my mind (to play for India), but right now my focus is to do my best.

Kolkata Knight Riders captain, Dinesh Karthik said:

Feels good to get two wins on the trot. Just feel that the wrist-spinners are a little harder to pick. Spinners did a good job for us. The way Robin batted was fantastic. Nitish is getting used to that role where he’s coming not out which is good to see.

Fielding could be better, death bowling could be better. If you want me to be harsh, even fast bowlers could be better. His arm is slightly higher than Kedar Jadhav but he’s done a good job for us.

The way Robin batted was fantastic. He set the tone for us. Nitish is getting used to that role where he’s coming not out which is good to see. Fielding could be better, death bowling could be better. If you want me to be harsh, even fast bowlers could be better.

Consistency is something we’re looking at as a team. Rana is a good player. Last year he did well for MI. And now he’s come to KKR. He’s got a couple of rough ones, got a couple of good catches taken off him. His arm is slightly higher than Kedar Jadhav but he’s done a good job for us.

Rajasthan Royals captain, Ajinkya Rahane said:

I thought we were 15-20 runs short. In T20 it’s always not about scoring 180. In this format, fielding is a crucial part. We let ourselves down in fielding. Very disappointing. Game 1 – (the wicket had) very good bounce. Today, the ball was keeping low. But no complaints.

I got a good start and it was my responsibility to carry on. We thought 175-180 would have been good on this wicket. Doesn’t make too much difference (losing the toss) I believe in playing good cricket. The intensity has to be up to the mark. Our intensity was a little bit down today.

It wasn’t there. I wanted to keep backing my players (on an unchanged XI). T20 is all about backing your players. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. Boys are doing really well. I just wanted to stick to the same combination.

Keep following CricTracker for more news and updates.