Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra showered praise on Kolkata Knight Riders’ after they registered a eight-wicket win against Rajasthan Royals at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati on Wednesday.
KKR were able to restrict RR to 151-9 after Ajinkya Rahane decided to bowl first. Vaibhav Arora provided the first breakthrough as he dismissed Sanju Samson in the Powerplay overs. After the fielding restrictions were lifted, KKR spin duo of Varun Chakravarthy and Moeen Ali were able to keep RR batters at bay.
Moeen Ali, who was playing his first match of the season, accounted for Yashasvi Jaiswal and Nitish Rana and conceded only 23 runs in his spell. Furthermore, Varun Chakravarthy dismissed Wanindu Hasaranga and Riyan Parag and returned with figures of 2-17 in his quota of four overs.
Moreover, Harshit Rana and Vaibhav Arora bagged two wickets apiece for KKR. KKR were without the services of Sunil Narine but the other bowlers were able to step up.
“Four bowlers picked up two wickets apiece. Vaibhav Arora picked up two wickets and Harshit Rana took two wickets in the end, but the engine room was the eight overs of spin. Four overs from Varun Chakaravarthy, but Sunil Narine wasn’t there. Not missing Sunil Narine when he wasn’t there, I think that’s a huge positive for KKR,” Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
“He wasn’t available. I think he had a fever, so Moeen Ali played. He picked up two wickets and Varun took two, and they gave only 40 runs in eight overs. That was game, set, and match in my opinion. We believe this team’s strength is spin bowling, but if Sunil Narine isn’t there, and you don’t miss him, and the guy who comes takes two wickets, I think the game changed there,” Chopra added.
On the other hand, the renowned commentator showered praise on Quinton de Kock, who scored an unbeaten knock of 97 runs off 61 balls to help his team chase down 152 runs.
“Quinton de Kock’s 97 not out. People don’t make centuries these days, they remain not out on 97. If you think about it from Quinton de Kock’s perspective, he is firstly playing for a new franchise and he doesn’t play international cricket anymore. You might feel there wouldn’t have been any pressure on him, but the pressure is there,” he said.
The former KKR player reckons this knock would help in taking the pressure of Quinton de Kock’s shoulders.
“You are opening for a new franchise where Phil Salt has left a legacy. After that, Rahmanullah Gurbaz is sitting outside. In such a scenario, the monkey is off your back the earlier you score runs. So he needed to score runs, and he played till the end. You scored 97 while chasing 150,” Chopra elaborated.
Kolkata Knight Riders will next take on Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Monday.
