IPL 9, Match 2: KKR v DD - 5 Talking Points

The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) kicked off their IPL 9 with a resounding 9-wicket win over a hapless Delhi Daredevils (DD). All the shopping that had seemingly been done by the Daredevils in the auction has thus failed to bore fruit. Although it is too early in the tournament to decided the fate of an IPL franchise, the result will certainly be a massive disappointment in the context of the IPL as far as the Daredevils are concerned. While the talking points stretch as far as Zaheer Khan making his much-awaited comeback to bowling to the impact Carlos Brathwaite can have on proceedings, we take a look at five major ‘game changing’ talking points in the second match of the 9^th edition of the Indian Premier League.

1. Andre Russell decimates Delhi Daredevils top order:

The Kolkata Knight Riders were missing some big names, especially Sunil Narine. However, despite the loss, the patched-up KKR bowling unit came to the fore. With the likes of Andre Russell in their ranks, the bowling unit looked stronger than ever. Russell was given the new ball by skipper Gautam Gambhir. However, little did anyone, perhaps not even Russell himself expect the impact he would have. His variations with both pace and lengths stands him a class apart. Despite the first two overs going for a massive amount of runs, Russell had his say in proceedings soon after. He wrecked the top order, removing Mayank Agarwal, Quinton de Kock and Shreyas Iyer in quick succession. The wickets opened up the fragile middle order while triggering an unprecedented batting collapse.

2. Daredevils youthful lineup ripped apart:

One of football’s greatest commentators of the time, Alan Hansen once said: “You don’t win anything with kids.” Although he was wrong at the time he said it, he would have been a millionaire had he said it shortly before the KKR v DD match got underway. The top six batsmen from Daredevils lineup had an average age between 22 and 23. Each time a youthful and inexperienced batting lineup is fielded, it is either hit or miss. And in this case, it was a horrific miss and one that could have a massive impact on the season. And what is worse, they scored just 55 runs between them. Despite having done their bit of shopping in the pre-season, an uneasy question arises. Have the Daredevils missed the trick by not adding experience to their batting unit amid all the exuberance of youth? Food for thought.

3. Brad Hogg weaves magic:

Brad Hogg is 45. Yes, you heard it right, 45. When you look back at the retirements that have taken place earlier this year, Brendon McCullum is 34, Nathan McCullum is a year older while Shane Watson is also 34. Many have also expressed their views on Hogg, stating that he ought to be alongside Sanjay Manjrekar and Sunil Gavaskar in the comfort of the commentary box. He is almost like a ‘grandfather’ figure in the KKR squad at the moment. However, there was something about the manner in which he went about his four overs. It wasn’t like any other bowler. He was a chinaman, and we surely don’t have many like him in the game at the moment. He is a wily character, someone who guarantees wickets. On the night, he did exactly (and perhaps even more) of what skipper Gambhir demanded of him. He conceded 19 runs and picked up three wickets. Is he really 45? Well, the way he is performing at the moment, it seems as though Sunil Narine will have to claw his way back into the KKR starting XI.

4. Carlos Brathwaite fails to live up to expectation:

He is big and he is strong. More importantly for the Delhi Daredevils, his name is Carlos Brathwaite. The West Indian all-rounder shot to fame following his final over onslaught of Ben Stokes. With the spotlight, the limelight and any other possible light on him, Brathwaite made his way into bat with the alarm signals ringing as loud as ever. He let the first one play off without a touch as 5 runs were added to the Delhi score. Piyush Chawla hopped in to bowl the second delivery. This time, Chawla was deposited 50 rows back. A tense Rahul Dravid breathed a sigh of relief. Maybe, just maybe this was the shot in the arm they needed. However, his fantasies were not meant to be as Brathwaite was trapped lbw to a googly from Chawla. Whether he will be able to make an impact on the tournament for the Daredevils remains to be seen.

5. Uthappa and Gambhir stitch useful opening stand:

Chasing 99 wasn’t a big task whatsoever. However, it was important for Uthappa and Gambhir to find their feet, an initial launch pad that would kick-start their tournament. Although they haven’t been a part of the national side for some time, their class was something evident. The shots flowed from their bat like an undiscovered river as they claimed the accolades they so richly deserved. Robin Uthappa had reintroduced himself to the world with a fantastic compilation of 35 from 33 deliveries. Gautam Gambhir played his part with a masterful and unbeaten 38 off 41 deliveries. He was joined by latest Indian recruit Manish Pandey as the duo saw out the match, ensuring a KKR victory.

How did Twitter react to the game? – Twitter Reactions: KKR start their IPL campaign with an easy win