DC KKR: Kolkata through to the final defeats Delhi

DC KKR: Rahul Tripathi

DC KRR IPL 2021: A match to remember at Sharjah between KKR and DC playing the second qualifiers. Venkatesh Iyer punished DC bowling right from the start. While Varun Chakravarthy broke some initial partnerships to restrict DC.

CSK already qualifying for the finals beating Delhi Capitals, will face KKR in the finals.

Having to bat first Prithvi Shaw(18) was flashing hard, punishing even a small mistake. However, he departed before the powerplay to continue his string of low scores.

The chakravyuh is still unrivaled. Striking on the first ball of his spell trapping Shaw in his googly. Varun Chakravarthy’s form will be key in the T20 World Cup this month for India. He again picked up another wicket on the first ball of his 2nd two-over spell this time Dhawan in his way.

DC KKR: KKR team celebrates a wicket
KKR team celebrates a wicket

Unlike Shaw, Shikhar Dhawan(36) was someone else. Unable to get bat on the ball looking sluggish at times. The only shot which made him runs was the sweep shot which gave him around 60% of the runs scored.

The pitch was very skitty and showed invariable bounce at times. DC skipper, Rishabh Pant(6) was the victim as his wicket ball climbed to the shoulder of his bat.

Every bowler had his moment and every one of them was economically outstanding. The strategy from the KKR team was well defined for this pitch. Proper line and length from the pace bowler and mysterious spinner duo along with Shakib’s clever variation were inevitable.

The last three over were good from DC’s perspective as they got around 30 runs with a six on the very last ball as well. Thanks to Shimron Hetmyer(17) and Shreyas Iyer’s(30*) late support that DC reached 135.

DC KKR: Venkatesh Iyer and Shubman Gill
Venkatesh Iyer and Shubman Gill

Chasing even a small target was a challenge on its own. However, the start from Venkatesh(55) and Gill(46) made the task an accessible one. Iyer in particular was very aggressive and taking on spinners like a piece of cake.

Their partnership of 96 runs nearly closed the match. You have to remember the way Gill(46) batted at well with such maturity and elegance.

A hard night for Axar Patel as he was replaced by Shardul in the T20 World cup and going for 32 runs with no wicket in his four overs. A long wicket drought was broken as Rabada picked two wickets after four matches.

After the fall of the openers, the finish to the match became a roller coaster ride. KKR gripping the match with full strength till now seemed like they got tired and lost grip. They lost 6 wickets to make the last 13 runs.

If Delhi Capitals would have fielded well in the last four overs the story would have been a lot different. It was unacceptable for the Capitals to perform like this in crunch matches and situations.

DC KKR: after match scenes
after match scenes

Being invisible for most of the tournament, Ravichandran Ashwin got the match to a one-ball six runs taking two wickets in the last over. But Rahul Tripathi does it for Kolkata. A half-tracker from Ashwin, Tripathi stays low and over long-off for a big six to seal it off for KKR.

Anyway, finishing 4th in the table and winning the IPL finals has happened once when Deccan Charger led by Adam Gilchrist qualified on NRR and won the IPL trophy. Can KKR do the same or Will CSK bring down the difference between them and MI?

Watch the DC KKR highlights IPL 2021 Qualifiers 2.

DC KRR: post match presentation.

Rishabh Pant:

“There are no words to express how I am feeling right now. We tried to keep things tight but unfortunately, we were not able to get over the line. KRR bowlers were amazing and bowled really well in the middle overs. We will like to come back strong in the next season. We learn from each other, back each other, and would be looking to come back harder in the next season.”

Rahul Tripathi:

“It feels great to finish the game. I never thought it would go so deep but I am glad to finish the game. I wanted to face the last two balls to hit a six but I was also open to taking a couple of runs. It has been a great journey for us in the UAE leg and the positive approach has helped us a lot.”

Eoin Morgan:

“We will dissect what happened in the death overs. The openers gave us a brilliant start and we were over the line and that is what matters. Delhi are a very good side and fought hard. Rahul Tripathi stepped up for us and got us over the line, credit to him. It is pleasing to see guys like Venkatesh Iyer, Shubman Gill, and Rahul Tripathi batting the way they have. We always had the belief even when we were struggling back in India. Chennai are one of the best teams in the league but anything can happen in the final.”

Venkatesh Iyer:

“I am doing what I have been asked to do and am very happy to get this win. I am just enjoying my time here and I am doing nothing different from Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and first-class cricket. I wanted to bat well with Shubman Gill and who is an exquisite stroke-maker. I am fully focused on the next game now and I am not thinking about the T20 World Cup yet.”

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