KKR go top of the table after commanding Narine-led win over LSG
The loss, by a huge 98-run margin, has pushed LSG out of the top four with the playoffs not far away
The loss, by a huge 98-run margin, has pushed LSG out of the top four with the playoffs not far away
Scorer: Chandan Duorah | Commentator: Srinidhi Ramanujam
That's it from us today. Hope you all enjoyed our coverage. This is Srinidhi signing off on behalf of Sreshth, Ranjit and Chandan. Stay hydrated and good night!
Shreyas, KKR captain: "The last six matches in the dressing room there has been havoc, team-mates are coming in and asking what's happening, we are losing tosses, but we are winning games that's what matters. To be honest, we don't assess the total from the first few overs. Anything close to 200 is a great score, whatever we got after that was extra. Great start by both openers, they have been phenomenal. We have to be flexible with left-right combination, bowlers have to change their approach with this, as this plays into bowlers' mind. [on uncapped players] It's all about freedom, to go out and express. Their mindset is positive. Majority of the time, they have been good. [on Narine] He was splendid. The start from openers have been great. Pure bliss. We just want to keep continuing the momentum so that we get to the great total and be optimistic."
Narine, player of the match: "I think the most important thing is starting well. Support staff have been backing me. It's been working for me, hope it works for the rest of he tournament. It's about picking what you are gonna do on that particular day with your strengths, you have to be smarter. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. [on bowling with Chakravarthy] It's going very well with Varun, he is picking wickets, making my job easier. He is a hard worker."
Rana: "The only thing was we didn't want to leave anything behind; we just wanted to qualify [for the playoffs]. Our coaches asked us to bowl the suitable lengths on this surface - hit the hard length, and don't try too much. That is where I my focus was, and that is what benefitted me. I have concentrated a lot on bowling, as to whether I can do something else. I've talked to a few people, and have myself tried to know what I can do better. Russell taking wickets is extremely helpful - when he takes wickets, it helps tilt the momentum on our side."
Rahul, LSG captain: "Lot of runs. Poor performance overall. It was a big total. Like I said, It's a poor performance with both bat and ball. Narine in powerplay puts a lot of pressure. Our bowlers couldn't handle this pressure. That's how the IPL is. You will come against good players and that's when you will be tested. Wicket is very good. There is a bit of bounce if you bowl hard length. It wasn't a bad pitch. 235 was 20-30 runs were above par. Our batting was poor. We prepare in advance, we talk about the opposition batters, trying to see what kind of plans we need to come up with. We need to execute it when we come here, but we didn't, we made a couple of mistakes against Sunil and anyone who strikes well. Once we go back to dressing room, we move on from this game and see where we went wrong. Last home game, we are on the road for the next few games, we need to be little bit more fearless."
11.17pm What an all-round performance from KKR! They win by 98 runs in Ekana and move to the top of the table. Narine's onslaught and a few handy cameos took the visitors to 235 for 6, the highest score at this venue. Barring Stoinis, LSG couldn't find a batter who could get going. Russell's two wickets to dismiss Pooran and Stoinis were crucial to turn the game around. Varun, Narine, Rana all chipped in to event.
Ravi Bishnoi lbw b Harshit Rana 2 (2m 3b 0x4 0x6) SR: 66.66
Anuj: "Today was a day of allrounders, first Jaddu now Naraine!"
Yudhvir Singh c Russell b Varun 7 (7m 7b 0x4 1x6) SR: 100.00
amit: "boy, oh boy! Imagine the NRR gains by KKR"
Two months ago, who could have predicted that he'd be back at the top of the order, pulling off his high-wire act time after time?
The loss, by a huge 98-run margin, has pushed LSG out of the top four with the playoffs not far away
Rahul said the wicket remained good to bat on in the chase but the pressure of chasing a target like 236 - "20 or 30 above par" - could result in slides like LSG's
Two points here will go a long way in helping both teams break away from the mid-table rush, and hosts LSG will be wary of KKR's strengths in both the spin and six-hitting departments
Coach Langer said "it'll be probably difficult" for Mayank to play in the playoffs