‘Death bowling helps KKR advance’
Kolkata Knight Riders’ journey into the IPL 2018 playoffs has not been smooth.
They did not have the nicest of starts, but a late resurgence by the Dinesh Karthik-led side saw them trump their rivals.
On Saturday, against tabletoppers Sunrisers Hyderabad, things looked to go haywire again as the home team notched 110/1 in the first 12 overs. However, KKR struck back in the last eight overs picking eight wickets for 62 runs.
Young batsman Shubman Gill felt their death bowling has helped KKR qualify for playoffs.
“The way we bowled in the death overs was great. Prasidh (4-0-30-4) bowled really well and got good support from other end. Our death over bowling was the turning point against SRH. We are feeling great to qualify for the playoffs and we are looking to face our opponent in the eliminator,” he said.
“The way our bowlers, especially our spinners are helping us make a comeback is phenomenal. In T20, bowlers are bound to get hit but the important point is how we react to it.”
QUICK STARTS HELPFUL
In reply to SRH’s 172/9, Chris Lynn struck two 50-plus stands with Sunil Narine and Robin Uthappa as KKR won the match with two balls to spare.
“Almost in every match Narine and Lynn have made quick starts. It gives time to the middle order batsmen to settle down. Today we thought that pitch would help spin but it did not change much when we were batting in the second innings,” Gill said.
KKR will likely be playing against the fourth-placed team in the Eliminator in Kolkata on Wednesday.
“We will have the advantage of playing in front of home crowd. In Kolkata, people are very supportive. Hopefully we will put up a good show,” he said.
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