‘It never seemed that they will make it to playoffs’ – Irfan Pathan, Aakash Chopra laud KKR’s remarkable comeback in IPL 2021

The league stage of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 is done and dusted, and the four teams going into the playoffs are finalized. Delhi Capitals, Chennai Super Kings, Royal Challengers Bangalore, and Kolkata Knight Riders are now in the hunt for the prestigious title and it would be interesting to see how the playoff pans out. While all these four teams have been impressive, KKR’s journey has to be the most fascinating.

At the time of season suspension in May, the Eoin Morgan-led side was reeling at the penultimate place, having won just two of their seven games. While KKR seemed down and out, the two-time champions made a stunning comeback, winning five of their remaining seven games. In fact, it won’t be too wrong to claim that KKR have been the best side in the UAE leg.

Speaking on the same, former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan said KKR never seemed like finishing in the top four. “It was not good at all and it never seemed that they will make it to the top four. But it is praiseworthy how they have performed in the UAE. A couple of things are still missing and they have done it despite that,” Pathan said during a discussion on Star Sports.

While acknowledging that KKR still have a few problem areas to address, the former pacer asserted that Dinesh Karthik and skipper Morgan’s cameos against Rajasthan Royals would have boosted the side’s morale ahead of the knock-out matches.

Dinesh Karthik, Eoin Morgan’s form good signs for KKR ahead of playoffs: Irfan Pathan

“A small positive that we saw in the last match (against Rajasthan Royals), Dinesh Karthik’s slight form, his unbeaten knock and Morgan hit a six. So this will give them the confidence and it will be useful in the playoffs,” added Pathan.

Pathan’s former teammate Aakash Chopra was also a part of the discussion. Speaking of KKR’s stunning campaign, the former opener reckoned the Indian youngsters should be credited. “There is Shubman, Iyer, Nitish, Varun and Rahul Tripathi. All of them together have taken the team forward. Morgan hasn’t scored runs and despite that, you didn’t miss his absence. I mean hats off to the Indians in the Indian Premier League, they are shining,” said Chopra.

Meanwhile, KKR will battle it out with Virat Kohli’s Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Eliminator. The high-voltage encounter takes place at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on October 11. The two-time champions would definitely take the field confidently and hence, RCB can’t afford to put a foot wrong.

Notably, star all-rounder Andre Russell didn’t feature in the last few fixtures due to an injury. Although Shakib Al Hasan has done well, Russell regaining fitness would be a massive boost for the Men in Purple and Gold.