Rinku and Rana steer KKR home in tricky chase
Sanju Samson scored a half-century for Royals, but struggled to cut loose on a slow Wankhede pitch
Sanju Samson scored a half-century for Royals, but struggled to cut loose on a slow Wankhede pitch
Scorer: M Venkat Raghav | Commentator: @PeterDellaPenna
11.19 pm So KKR score a big win as they try to dig themselves out of the bottom half of the table. Rana and Rinku get them across the line with an impressive half-century partnership.
Rajasthan captain Sanju Samson: "I think the wicket was a bit slow and they bowled really well, but with the batting we have I would have liked to score a few more boundaries at the end. I think we were short 15-20 runs. I have had a niggle the last few games but I'm recovering well and [my back] is fine. It was a great effort [in the field]. With the bowling and fielding we showed some real fight. The body language and energy was amazing. I think we could have batted a bit better and win the toss next time for sure. I think you have to keep on assessing the game and who is batting with you. Wickets at intervals, that's what stopped myself to keep going with momentum. When I wanted to go hard, they bowled really well and we couldn't execute our shots."
KKR coach Brendon McCullum: "Five [losses] on the bounce is no easy feat to pull yourselves out of. I just have to compliment all the guys within the group. I know it's the first year for all the guys in this team but the guys have stuck really close and we could have easily been on the other side of two or three of those games. It's not easy to keep the faith sometimes but the boys are able to do it and tonight was a fantastic performance from a couple of guys who are very good friends in particular. Nitish Rana and Rinku Singh, they will grow so much from that performance. We had guys who arrived late, a couple of injuries, a couple of guys who lost form and confidence as well. So there's a myriad of reasons why we've had to make as many changes as we've had. Tonight, with Anukul coming into the side because of the nature of the wicket meant that we had to adjust our balance again and we wanted five bowlers. Mavi on this wicket has a good record. It's certainly not my way to keep chopping and changing, but sometimes you have to make the calls that you think are right. [On Rinku Singh] He's an amazing story. He's been around the franchise now for a long period of time. Before the first game that he played, I was lucky enough to spend a little bit of time with him. He knew for his own self-worth and his own career, he needed to make a statement in this competition. He was able to do it in the first game. He's such a great team man, a wonderful human being and the real vibe and culture of the group is set by Rinku. His older brother and Nitish Rana as well was out there with him and I think that gave him great confidence. Some players just deserve to have things go their way and Rinku is one of them. [On Anukul Roy] He was brilliant, again one of those guys who has been around IPL cricket for a long time without a whole lot of opportunities. But similar to Rinku, he carries himself so well and is able to contribute to the team, even if he's not playing on the field. It was great to see him get an opportunity tonight and I think he's got a big future in front of him."
KKR captain Shreyas Iyer: "Right from the Powerplay, when the bowlers came in and conceded around 36 runs in the Powerplay and getting a wicket, that was the start we needed. [On Umesh Yadav] The way he's bowling those hard lengths, he's increased his pace definitely. It's really tough to bat against him in the nets. He's got a set of plans which is really hard to read. As a captain, you just have to give him the ball and he's always up to execute things. [On Sunil Narine] He's a great asset for the team. Whenever I give him the ball, he's ready to give me wickets. He turns out to be a very economical bowler at the same time. If he gets a wicket, he gets a big one. [On Rinku Singh] I was talking to my teammates in the dressing room and was like, the way he's maintaining his calm even in such pressure situations playing his second or third game, it's outstanding. Building that partnership with Nitish Rana in that situation, it's something we have to praise about and he's a great asset for the future in the franchise. The way he has given starts right from the first game, he doesn't look like a newcomer in the team. We are looking for a great start. Every time I have to go in and build a partnership... I really love pressure but in every game, it really sweats out a lot of me."
Rinku Singh is Player of the Match: [Translated from Hindi] "Rinku Singh: I am the first to play IPL from Aligarh, though many have played Ranji Trophy. There is pressure in the IPL that is not there much in First Class. It's been five years; I haven't been getting chances regularly. Feels good to contribute now. Baz told me to finish the game and so did Nitish Rana."
That's it from live coverage of tonight's match. On behalf of my tag-team partner (and Hindi translator) S Sudarshanan, I'm Peter Della Penna. Come back tomorrow night for more IPL action. Until then, take care!
Sen has the ball in hand. A maiden required here to force a Super Over.
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Down to a run a ball to win now.
Tushar Ponda: "Seeing Rinku Singh's profile gives a glimpse of his very impressive numbers in FC and LIST A cricket with an average of 64 and 50 respectively. With his age being 24, his great fielding, and amazing batting potential, I really hope to see him in India colors someday."
Sanju Samson scored a half-century for Royals, but struggled to cut loose on a slow Wankhede pitch
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