Picture Credit: Twitter/@KKRiders
Ahead of IPL 2021 Eliminator between Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bangalore, the Men in Purple look all pumped up and ready. While the Kolkata side had a forgettable run in the first half of the competition in India, they registered wins in five out of seven matches in the UAE leg to find their way into the Playoffs.
Hours before the start of the do-or-die match, Kolkata stars Shubman Gill and Lockie Ferguson reflected on the team's journey to the final four. Shubman said that the kind of comeback that they have managed to pull off in the Middle East is not something all teams can manage in a competition like IPL.
He highlighted that the team does not boosts of an orange cap holder or a purple cap holder yet they have been able to perform collectively well as a unit which has been the reason for their success. On the other hand, Ferguson reflected how even the losses they suffered in the second phase of the tournament were close games and they were not completely outplayed in any fixture.
The Kiwi pacer added that the best teams in world cricket are those where each of the 11 members can be a match-winner on a given day. The takeaway statement though which was also used in the caption of the video shared by the Kolkata Knight Riders on their social media came from Ferguson when he said that the tournament starts now suggesting that what happens in this phase of the tournament will have a far greater meaning and impact.
"Now the tournament starts" ⚔️? Tonight, at 7:30 PM IST... দেখা হবে! @shubmangill #LockieFerguson #RCBvKKR #Playoffs #KKR #AmiKKR #KorboLorboJeetbo #আমিKKR #ipl2021," the video was captioned.
Check out the video here:
Meanwhile, Chennai Super Kings on Sunday became the first team to enter the IPL 2021 final. They handed table-toppers Delhi Capitals a four-wicket defeat to storm into the final for the record ninth time. The winner of the eliminator will consequently take on Delhi Capitals in Qualifier 2 to try and play the final where MS Dhoni-led Chennai await them in Dubai.
Dhoni rolled back the clock as he remained unbeaten on 18 from 6 deliveries and wrapped up a tricky run chase with 2 balls to spare.