IPL 2018, Match 49, KKR vs RR - Who Said What

Kuldeep Yadav was the man for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) who surprisingly spun the web around the batsmen in the first innings. His spell of 4/20 in four overs bamboozled the Rajasthan Royals (RR) batsman completely who could never make a come back in the game despite trying hard with the bowl in the hand. Though the hosts have kept their qualification hopes alive and in their hands now and a win in next game will take them through to the playoffs. But the Royals are now struggling with poor net run-rate and will need a miracle in their last league game.

After being invited to bat first, it was the opening duo of Rahul Tripathi and Jos Buttler who started off in a spanking fashion as the visitors raced past the 50-run mark in the fourth over itself. But very few had expected the capitulation which followed later after Tripathi was scalped by Andre Russell with 63 runs on the board. Kuldeep’s introduction into the attack turned the game completely. He started with the wicket of Ajinkya Rahane and went on to pick the likes of Buttler, Ben Stokes and Stuart Binny.

The chase needed a calm head of Chris Lynn and Dinesh Karthik as the Royals bowled well throughout the innings even as the hosts ran away with a quick-fire star. Sunil Narine scored 20 off the first four balls of the chase against the off-spin of Krishnappa Gowtham. But it was the bowling of Stokes which had kept them in the game as he went to take the wickets of Narine, Lynn and Robin Uthappa. However, it was too late by the time the Australian was dismissed as he stroked a patient 45 run-knock and made sure that his team was never behind in the chase.

In the end, it was the skipper fittingly finishing the game with a six who remained unbeaten on 41 and completed yet another chase for his side.

Man of the Match, Kuldeep Yadav said:

I was a bit under pressure after the start they got. I was only thinking of taking a wicket, Jos Buttler is the man in form and I was really trying to get him out. You have to motivate yourself, you have to back your strengths and basics and try to succeed.

I don’t try a lot because I try to succeed with my strengths only. You need to keep changing in a format like T20. I knew Buttler would go for a reverse sweep and that’s why I bowled the quicker one to him.

You need to keep planning in every game for every batsman; sometimes it goes your way, sometimes it doesn’t but you need to keep trying.

Kolkata Knight Riders captain, Dinesh Karthik said:

I think they started off brilliantly; especially Buttler and Tripathi played really well. But it also shows our character where we just didn’t give up. When we got the chance we just didn’t let it go.

Winning one and losing the next is a part of the IPL. We just try and put in team bonding sessions, keep interacting and look to put a smile one everyone’s face. (On the review he took) Yeah I was convinced. I thought at that stage the wicket was really important.

Kuldeep is an international quality bowler and is one of the best chinaman bowler in the world, he is sometimes so confident that he ends up slacking off and giving out one easy ball. But he is very hardworking, always in the gym and if I can keep him consistent it is enough. (On qualifications) Now you are scaring me (chuckles)

Rajasthan Royals captain, Ajinkya Rahane said:

The intent was positive (from the team). Jos (Buttler) and Tripathi batted really well and when I went in I just wanted to carry the momentum forward. Jos was batting really well and it’s not just upto him all the time. Batsmen will have to take responsibility.

We have to blame all the batsmen and we lost because we played badly. I felt our bowlers bowled really well. 170-180 would have been very good. We still have a chance. We have to learn from this game and move forward.

We know how the wicket will play in Jaipur, so we got to learn and move forward. We will definitely miss Jos and Stokes, but as a cricketer I really feel happy for Jos that he has been picked in the Test squad. As a player you feel really happy when selected to play the Test matches.

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