Kolkata Knight Riders beat Rajasthan Royals by five wickets in a thrilling game at the Eden Gardens. Rajasthan Royals were batting first and got off to a brilliant start in the power play as both the openers once again put up a great performance. Kolkata Knight Riders spinners pulled things back in the middle overs and Rajasthan Royals were not able to get a big finish as they finished with 155 at the end of the first innings. Chasing the target, Kolkata Knight Riders lost early wickets and were well behind in the chase. It was a tricky surface and the match went down the wire. Rinku Singh smashed a half century and with a cameo from Anukul Roy they managed to win the game in the final over.
Riyan Parag | Rajasthan Royals captain:
I think like the first four or five overs we assessed, the was a 170-run wicket, so we were 10 under par for starters. And then I think the way we clawed back, the effort the bowlers put in, I'll say, and it was our game. No excuses there. We can't be dropping catches, we can't be bowling lines that help the batters. So, silly errors from our side. But this was our game. I think there was a lot of spin in the wicket (on not bowling Brijesh and the other pacers until late). And the way Bishnoi and Poonja bowl is different. I felt that spin was what the situation required. And that's why I went with it. When it works out, it looks nice. But then I felt it worked out today as well. And then just a few errors here and there. And that's the point. (On Brijesh) I think he was almost there to bowl, I feel, the 14th and the 16th as well. But then they lost wickets and then they were two left-handers. So I got myself in and the spinners were going really well. So I chose to trust those spinners that we might, you know, get a slog or something to get a wicket. We almost did that. And once that Bishnoi's over was done, I felt, okay, spinners might go here because of the left-hand combinations. And I felt Brijesh will go 18 and 20th over. Not at all. I think the way the middle order executed today, I think they all set a platform for them. Me and Hetty, we took 10-15 balls each and then when it was time to go, we missed. So I think the game plan was there collectively during the time was we felt, like I said, it was a 170 wicket and we would give ourselves some time and go for the last five overs. We tried doing that, didn't really come off, but I'm happy with the way the boys are thinking. I feel, again, a few errors here and there and that's also true, boys. Hopefully next game, we could have a clinical game for you all. Everyone who plays for Rajasthan Royals has complete confidence and full faith in him (Yashraj Punja). You throw them in the deep end and they come out shining. So I felt Punja bowled really well. A few nerves here and there in the first over, but I think once he bowls and keeps on bowling these hard overs for us, then there's a chance that he's going to become a great bowler for us.
Read More: Riyan Parag Captaincy Record
Ajinkya Rahane | Kolkata Knight Riders Captain:
First of all, really happy to be here. I got five extra minutes after the game. Feels really good. There were a lot of emotions going on during the game, but personally, I'm really happy for Rinku Singh, Anukul Roy, and Varun Chakravarthy as well. The way he bowled in the middle today, Varun was going through a tough phase, but last three games, he's been bowling fantastically. Rinku Singh again, he was going through a tough phase mentally. Really happy to see him finishing the game. And Anukul Roy, he had a fantastic domestic season, very confident guy. We wanted to give him that opportunity. Today, he couldn't bowl because of the left-hand-right-hand combination. But really happy to see how both of them, they batted that partnership for us. (Conversations with the players) Most of the practice sessions, we do have common conversation. I like to have one-on-one conversation rather than talking in the groups. Even all the coaches, they've been talking to the players. It's about reading the situation well. I feel cricket is a simple game. If you keep it really simple, rather than thinking far too ahead. I thought this victory will probably give us that confidence as a team because bowling-wise, I felt we've been doing really well. Last three games, the bowlers are coming nicely together. They're bowling in partnership, bowling as a unit. Batting-wise, yes, there are areas we can still improve. But again, as I said, there's lots to take positive from this game. So, really happy with the victory. (On Kartik Tyagi) Fantastic, he's been really good from the practice games which we played. Since then, he's been really clear about his ability, what he wants to do in the middle. As a captain, when you have a guy like that who's really clear coming and playing after a very long time, he's still young. But the confidence which he has in his ability to what he wants to bowl in different kind of situations has been amazing. He bowled in the death overs, bowling in those middle overs as well, sometimes tough overs. So, really happy to see Kartik Tyagi gaining that confidence as a young fast bowler. And the pace which he's bowling has been fantastic. (On the batting) There's lots to learn from every game. As I said, batting-wise, yes, we had a bad powerplay last three games, basically not good, but again, that's where the cricketing awareness comes in as a team, as a batting unit. Sometimes I feel strike rate is overrated. Wicket like this, you just have to focus on the singles, still keep the intent, but have those singles and doubles. It's not about going out there and hitting big sixes. I think if we can have that cricketing awareness, take the game deep, and we saw what happened today. Last couple of games, yes, we made those errors, but that can happen. This was a great escape for us, I would say, that partnership from Rinku and Anukul, but as a batting unit, we need to learn very quickly. Thankfully, we'll get those five, six extra days now before the next game, and those days will be really good, but we need to reflect, we need to learn what errors we have made, because as I said, cricketing God gives you that one opportunity. And I thought tonight's game was such that as a team, we have to come together, probably be honest with each other, and have that clear communication. Apart from that, everything has been really good, like preparation, the attitude from boys, the atmosphere we have inside the dressing room has been amazing, but it's just simple things where cricket demands. You just have to deliver that. The fans have been fantastic throughout here, they come here and support. Last five games were really bad for us, but this victory belongs to them. This victory belongs to the fans, as I said. They have been amazing, very positive. Once we enter the stadium, you get that positive vibe, those loud chants and the atmosphere, that energy has been fantastic.
Read More: Ajinkya Rahane Captaincy Records
Rinku Singh | Translated from Hindi:
(Were you in anger while batting today?) Sometimes it happens like that when a few things don’t go your way, so you feel that intensity. But it wasn’t like I was hesitating or unsure about playing my shots. My mindset was to take the game till the end because I had conversations with the coach and also with my batting partner. The idea was to take it deep since the match was in a tricky situation. (When he got a reprieve early in the innings) That’s what happens sometimes, sir. In that moment, the mind doesn’t work properly and you end up playing such shots. But thankfully, luck was on my side and we eventually won the match. Yes sir, that was in my mind as well. I had played quite a few innings and was waiting for a big one. This was a very good innings for me and also very important for my confidence. There’s nothing like a fixed position for me. I can bat at number five, lower down the order, or even at number four. Wherever the team needs me, I’m ready to bat in that position. This will give us a lot of confidence because this is our first win of the season. From here, we will carry this momentum forward.
Varun Chakaravarthy | Player of the Match:
Yeah, it feels great. Before I talk about myself, I think I need to give credit to the entire coaching staff because it has been a last tough weeks of matches and things didn't go our way and there was too much outside noise and the head coach and the other coaches also, they never let that noise affect us. We were in our own process. So I think we all deserve this win, even though it's just one win, it feels very sweet. (On the conditions today) Nothing special, it's just the wickets, how IPL is curating wickets. It was little slow today, suited us. But initially, the first few matches I was injured, I had two fractures. I still have two fractures in my left hand. So I'm just trying to manage that. Yeah, so it is a little tough, but I'm just trying to manage. I would say it was a little slow, but it was perfectly suitable for us and we made the most of it. And I think we could have batted a little better in the middle, but all well. Yeah, we don't know where we'll end up, but we are just making a statement that we are not pushovers. We are just not coming here to participate. We are here to win every match. We are here to make a strong contention for the trophy. We still have hopes and I think we are gonna do well from this.
Kolkata Knight Riders pick up their first win of the season and they finally have something to cheer. It has been a tough tournament for them and this win would take some pressure off them. On the other hand, Rajasthan Royals have lost their previous two matches and they will be keen to bounce back and put up better performances going forward.
