Live Score
Cricket Teams
Cricket PlayersIPL 2018: ‘Kolkata Knight Riders’ death bowling turning point vs Sunrisers Hyderabad’
Kolkata Knight Riders registered a five-wicket win over Sunrisers Hyderabad to qualify for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2018 and young batsman Shubman Gill believes their death bowling has been key for them in the tournament.
Kolkata Knight Riders’ journey into the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2018 play-offs has not been smooth. (KKR vs SRH REPORT)
They did not have the nicest of starts, but a late resurgence by the Dinesh Karthik-led side saw them trump their stronger rivals. (KKR vs SRH HIGHLIGHTS) (FULL SCORECARD)
On Saturday, against table-toppers 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 been one of major factors in KKR qualifying for play-offs.
READ | IPL 2018: RR spinner Shreyas Gopal sends Virat Kohli’s RCB out of 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 play-offs 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 KR won the match with two balls to spare.
READ | Chris Lynn fifty helps Kolkata Knight Riders register win vs Sunrisers Hyderabad
“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 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.
