Team responded after my ‘threat’
I STARTED SPEAKING AND LET GO OF ALL I HAD. I WANTED INTENSITY FROM MY TEAMMATES. I WANTED THEM TO FIGHT
them whoever dropped on intent should understand that this could be his last game for KKR, at least in my captaincy.
When I write this almost 24 hours later I remember some of them looking at me, shocked and microphones caught it but we were chirping all the time when RCB were batting. I am happy to lose spots on IPL Fairplay award list but I cannot see my team slipping on points table.
The team responded brilliantly. The tone was set by Nathan Coulter-Nile. During my stint with Justin Langer at Perth, I had seen Coulter-Nile train with Western Australia state team. He is a mean looking guy, strong as an ox.
We didn’t speak a word as I passed on the ball to him. He knew his job and I knew mine. The Aussie bowled like a wind and I supported him with attacking fields.
My being under the helmet was more of a statement than a catching position.
And then there was another sight which would have pleased every supporter of Indian cricket. An Indian fast bowler Umesh Yadav having ‘Boss of Universe’ Chris Gayle ducking and weaving was highlight of the game. Add to all this, our catching was top-drawer.
I must say I was surprised that RCB had quite a lot of support from the Eden crowd. I am fine with it as it augurs well for the overall health of Indian cricket.
But I do hope by the end of the game that we had some ‘converts’ switching camps.
I was asked what was the turning point of the game? Let me put it this way: we had two KKR teams playing the last game.
First one that batted in the first half and was going through the motions.
The second one was playing for its life. Post the win, when we came back to the dressing room I was tempted to say sorry to the team if I was rude.
I didn’t. It was time to binge on some Paturi.
DINESH CHOPRA MEDIA The journey from woeful to wonderful took Kolkata Knight Riders 9.4 overs. “Obviously we were little bit down halfway. We knew we were a little bit under par to say the least. But the captain asked us to show some intent and some pride. The opening bowlers set the tone. The fact is that they came out firing, took some early wickets and really got us back in the game. From there on, it was just trying to put the ball in right areas. I think I would be lying to say that we came at the halftime saying that we would definitely win the game,” said Chris Woakes who finished with a spell (2-0-6-3) that included wickets of Chris Gayle, Stuart Binny and Samuel Badree.
Nathan CoulterNile’s start to showing ‘intent’ came with a huge no-ball but the free hit gave an indication of things to come. It was fast and climbing which Gayle pulled but couldn’t keep down. The next ball swung and Gayle again couldn’t put bat to it. Then, with two slips in