IPL 2021: Match 25, DC vs KKR – Who Said What

The 25^th match of the Indian Premier League saw action between Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders. DC maintained their fine rhythm of the edition by winning the contest by seven wickets. Winning the toss, Rishabh Pant invited KKR to show up with bats first. Eoin Morgan and his men could post only 154 runs on the board owing to some firepower displayed by Shubman Gill and Andre Russell.

Prithvi Shaw was declared as the player of the match for firing the KKR bowlers all around the ground. While Gill got back to the rhythm (43 off 38) after long, Russell ended the show on a fine note by adding 45 off 27. Both Axar Patel and Lalit Yadav picked two wickets for DC but the latter stole the show by conceding at 4.30 in his overs.

The Prithvi Shaw show for DC

As the chase began for Delhi, Shikhar Dhawan and Prithvi Shaw began their unstoppable hitting show. While Shaw smashed 82 off 41, Dhawan played a sublime knock of 46 off 47 deliveries. Pat Cummins remained the sole hero of KKR’s bowling artillery as he picked all the three wickets against DC.

Losing skipper, Eoin Morgan said:

 Very disappointed. We were slow off the blocks with the bat, lost wickets in the middle period and Russell got us to 150-plus. Then got slow off the blocks with the ball. Shaw played brilliantly, nothing much we could do. Also shows how good the surface was. We weren’t good enough with all departments. He (Cummins) is part of our new ball plans. Mavi bowled four on the trot last game and bowled well. Just didn’t go to plan today. You need to be honest and realistic with everyone in the dressing room. We have to be as honest as we can with each other. Hopefully we can turn things around. There is a huge amount of talent in our squad but talent alone doesn’t get you far. It’s about execution.

Winning skipper, Rishabh Pant said:

 He’s a talented player, we all know that. But if you give him confidence he can do wonders. Was only telling him to play the normal game. In this kind of match we can afford to think of run rate. Only thing we talk with youngsters is just enjoy cricket, do your best. Lalit is an allrounder. Hasn’t got a chance to bat but he’ll learn. Last match we only lost by one run, so as a team we talk about we don’t have to change anything. Definitely enjoying captaincy.

Player of the match, Prithvi Shaw said:

Wasn’t thinking anything to be honest. Was just waiting for the loose balls. We’ve played for four-five years now (with Mavi), so I knew where he will bowl to me. I was prepared (for the short ball). The first four-five balls he bowled were half-vollies so I was prepared for the short ball but unfortunately he didn’t bowl. On this wicket especially when the spinner is bowling it wasn’t coming very nicely onto the bat. Was stopping a little. Was waiting for them to bowl at me on off stump or outside so I can free my hands. When I’m in there, I keep playing and don’t think about the score. Don’t think about myself, just want the team to win. No we haven’t spoken yet (with Sehwag) but if I chance I’d like to because he’s the one who likes to score off the first ball.