#KKR

‘Fair character’, ‘has the fire’, ‘can infuse winning culture’: Gautam Gambhir can be the kind of coach India need | Cricket News

Danijones5 months ago06 mins

While it has been widely reported that former India opener Gautam Gambhir as the new India coach is a ‘done deal’, an official announcement on the team’s new boss replacing Rahul Dravid might take a few more days to come. But experts have no doubt left that Gambhir is the kind of character who has the fire inside him to take the Indian team to new heights.Among his most recent successes, Gambhir took over the role of Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) mentor just before IPL 2024 and turned out to be the chief architect of KKR’s third triumph in the T20 league. It only added to his credentials as a mentor, after he had taken Lucknow Super Giants to the playoffs in two successive editions, before making a move to join KKR in a similar role. “What a record he has had as a coach!” said the former wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik, who announced his retirment after IPL 2024, on Cricbuzz. “Being a mentor for LSG, two years on the bounce qualifying (for playoffs), comes to KKR and they say, ‘Please, you got to do something special for us’. Ends up winning the trophy.” It was effectively Gambhir’s third IPL title in KKR colours. When the team won its two titles in 2012 and 2014, Gambhir was the KKR captain. “He has been at the helm, taken all the decisions (for KKR), be it sending (Sunil) Narine opening or getting Mitchell Starc in the auction — in all of those big recruits and getting the right team, the right balance, and then taking all the shots,” Karthik, who has previously played for KKR in the IPL, said.“I am seeing in the news that he could be part of the Indian team (chief coach) as well, and I really wish he does. He has that fire in him,” Gambhir added. Gambhir’s track record as a player and coach/mentor reflects that he knows what it takes to win big tournaments. Besides three IPL titles with KKR, Gambhir was part of the team under MS Dhoni when India won the 2007 T20 World Cup and the 2011 ODI World Cup.Karthik believes that Gambhir has put things in such proper order at KKR that even if he has to leave the job and take up the role of India’s chief coach, KKR remain well placed to excel in the next IPL season as well. “I think he has really built a good (KKR) team, one that will have a lot of players retained and he has left them in a very, very good place. And if he gets the opporunity (India coach), I really wish he takes it. Being part of the national team and the patriotism that he has, I think he will definitely be tempted to take it and I really wish he comes in because he will infuse that winning culture he has infused here (at KKR),” reckoned Gambhir. “India would do very well under him because I feel he has that fire that is required.“When it comes to KKR, whenever he is back (after stint as India coach), they will take him back with open arms. But I do believe he has left Shreyas Iyer and the team in a much better place than it was when he took it (mentorship role).” Former New Zealand pace Simon Doul was also part of the discussion on Cricbuzz, and fully agreed with Karthik’s opinion.“Those (Gambhir) are the kind of people you want at the helm — highly respected, tough. He is a tough character, but I think he is very fair character and I think he’ll do a great job if he were to take over, if he were to accept the role,” said Doull.The tenure of current India coach, Rahul Dravid, will end after the T20 World Cup in June.

‘Still two trophies behind MI and CSK’: Gautam Gambhir aims higher after IPL 2024 win

Danijones5 months ago05 mins

KKR mentor Gautam Gambhir is determined to make his team the most successful franchise of the Indian Premier League as he aims to surpass MI and CSK’s tally of most title victories. Notably, Kolkata recently clinched their third IPL title after beating SRH in the final of IPL 2024. Following their win, the Shreyas Iyer-led side became the third most successful team in the competition after MI and CSK who have five titles each to their name. Following their win, Gambhir has set his aim higher to be the most successful side in the history of the tournament. Commenting on his team’s win, the former KKR captain said that the journey has just begun as he wants to add three more trophies to his team’s tally to make them the most successful franchise of the tournament. “You’re saying this because we’ve won it three times but if you ask me we’re still two trophies behind MI and CSK. Yes, I’m happy today but again the hunger inside that we’re still not the most successful franchise of the IPL. To get there, we need to win thrice and for that, we will have to work really hard. So I feel, if we’re able to make KKR the most successful franchise of the tournament then there won’t be anything better than that but for that, the journey has just begun” Gambhir told Sportskeeda. Further speaking ahead, the 42-year-old picked KKR’s first title triumph in 2012 as the most special one as it laid the foundation for their next two victories in 2014 and 2024 respectively. Gambhir picks IPL 2012 as ‘most special’ victory “2012, not just because I was the captain but because we won it for the first time I just told you that when you win it for the first time then you get to know the kind of cricket you need to play to win an IPL final. Until you win, you keep questioning whether you will be able to win it or not. Once you win it you feel that we’ve won it and will win it again. Hence 2012, because we won it first time,” he added. Notably, Gambhir led KKR to their first title triumph in 2012 beating defending champions CSK in the final. He further inspired his team to their second triumph in 2014 beating PBKS in a high-scoring final. It took KKR ten long years to add a third trophy to their cabinet as Gambhir returned to the franchise as a mentor after parting ways ahead of the 2018 season. KKR fans would hope that Gambhir continues his ‘Midas Touch’ for the team and continues to guide them to more IPL victories in the years to come. Published By: Rishabh Beniwal Published On: May 30, 2024

My relation with Virat Kohli is not to give masala to the public: Gautam Gambhir | Cricket News

Danijones5 months ago02 mins

NEW DELHI: Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir shared a warm embrace during the 2024 edition of the Indian Premier League. It was one of the heartwarming moments of the just concluded season. The long-standing alleged hostility between the two former teammates seemed to dissolve as they demonstrated mutual respect and camaraderie. Kohli, the face of Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and Gambhir, mentor the Kolkata Knight Riders, showed that their past differences were behind them. Gambhir’s return to KKR as a mentor proved to be a masterstroke, as he guided Shreyas Iyer‘s team to their third IPL title. KKR dominated the final, thrashing Sunrisers Hyderabad in Chennai. This victory ended KKR’s 10-year title drought. Addressing the perceived rift with Kohli, Gambhir told Sportskeeda, “The perception is far away from the reality. My relation with Virat Kohli is something this country doesn’t need to know. He has as much right as I do to express himself and help our respective teams win. Our relation is not to give masala to the public.” Gambhir also praised Kohli’s six-hitting prowess, acknowledging RCB batter’s batting excellence.Kohli had a stellar IPL 2024 season, topping the batting charts with 741 runs in 15 games and winning the prestigious Orange Cap. Earlier, Kohli also reflected on the moment with Gambhir during an event. “People are very disappointed with my behaviour. I hugged Naveen, and then the other day, Gauti bhai (Gautam Gambhir) came and hugged me. Your masala is over so you’re booing. We’re not kids anymore,” Kohli remarked.

‘To my boys, my team, my champs…’: Shah Rukh Khan’s million-dollar praise for KKR | Cricket News

Danijones5 months ago05 mins

NEW DELHI: Superstar Shah Rukh Khan on Wednesday congratulated the “stars” of his team, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), for their outstanding performance in the IPL 2024 final, where they clinched the championship trophy for the third time.KKR triumphed in the latest edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) with a dominating eight-wicket victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in a completely one-sided final on Sunday.As the principal owner of the team, Shah Rukh also expressed his gratitude to the fans who patiently waited 10 long years for this win. “Love you all and don’t let the dancing stop! Also, so happy and thankful for each and every KKR fan and I hope all around the world youngsters learn that tough times don’t last…” he wrote in a lengthy post on his social media handles. The 58-year-old actor expressed his gratitude to the KKR coaching staff and management in his post. He specifically acknowledged the contributions of Gautam Gambhir, the team’s mentor, Abhishek Nayar, the assistant coach, and Chandrakant Pandit, the head coach.“To my boys… my team… my champs… ‘these blessed candles of the night’… My Stars…of KKR. I cannot do a lot of things and you cannot do them all either…but together we manage most of them. That’s what @KKRiders stood for.“Simply being together. Beyond the ability and guidance of @GautamGambhir….the earnestness of Chandu, the love of @abhisheknayar1 & leadership of @ShreyasIyer15… the dedication of @rtendo27, Bharat Arun, @1crowey & @Numb3z.”KKR is a team that’s not built on hierarchy but “pure respect for collaboration”, he said.“GG (Gambhir) said if u can’t support a single vision as a team… u are leading to a division in the team. Each player understood that. Young and old. The Trophy is not a testament of having the best players in the team… but a proof of each player being the best for the team. Boys you are all made of Star stuff!! Finally Tough and Happy teams do! Korbo…Lorbo…Jeetbo….Always. See u all at the stadia in 2025,” Shah Rukh wrote.Shah Rukh, who was hospitalized last week in Ahmedabad due to a heat stroke following his attendance at an IPL match of his team at the Narendra Modi Stadium, was overjoyed when KKR emerged victorious in IPL 2024.During the final match at Chennai’s Chepauk Stadium, the actor wore a mask for most of the game but removed it when the team was on the brink of securing the coveted title, displaying his excitement.Accompanied by his wife Gauri Khan and children Aryan, Suhana, and AbRam, Shah Rukh was present at the final match.KKR, co-owned by Juhi Chawla and Jay Mehta, clinched its first IPL title in 2012, followed by another win in 2014.(With PTI inputs)

Dangerous SRH might spoil favourites KKR’s party, RR vs RCB start as darkhorse – India TV

Danijones6 months ago010 mins

Image Source : KKRIDERS/SUNRISERS/BCCI/IPL The final push for the trophy begins on Tuesday, May 21 as Kolkata Knight Riders, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, fight it out for the trophy It has been a long, strange, bizarre yet record-breaking season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) which might have witnessed its greatest leader walk off into the sunset. It has been long because 70 games in 58 days is not an easy watch. Strange because 250-plus became almost a routine at one point and some teams almost chased them down too, Punjab Kings actually did it once and there were 160-180 being defended as well on a few occasions. Bizarre because the teams many expected to qualify, Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings failed and Royal Challengers Bengaluru needed a shock to rejuvenate themselves and caught the rain at the last second. Kolkata Knight Riders, many had expectations from them but the inconsistency they had shown in the last year, there was uncertainty regarding them with the return of Shreyas Iyer, and Gautam Gambhir fitting in with a new coaching staff. A similar fear existed regarding the Sunrisers Hyderabad, who had a new coach and a new captain and even though both had worked together for Australia. However, there was a a bit of a risk since Sunrisers’ plans have gone pear-shaped in the last three seasons and Pat Cummins had never captained in the format. On the other hand, the team that everyone picked as favourites, Rajasthan Royals, expectedly dominated the tournament for the majority of the first 40 days of the tournament before falling off a cliff to go four losses and one no result in the next five games. Does experience of playing knockouts help? Or the ‘momentum’ word is key. If momentum is anything then RCB should be favourites, however, on the day of the knockout, nothing of that sort matters. The performance on that very day, the ability to soak in pressure and being able to come out of it on the right side will count. The way teams have gone about in this year’s tournament, KKR start favourites. Yes, they will be without one of their enforcers at the top, Phil Salt, who has returned home for international duty but a readymade replacement in the form of Rahmanullah Gurbaz shouldn’t affect them as much as it seemed. Like RCB, who slotted in Glenn Maxwell for Will Jacks. In this aspect, the Royals will suffer the most with Tom Kohler-Cadmore fairly new to the IPL hullaballoo. Apart from that KKR have a fairly settled batting line-up, followed by an all-round bowling attack. The spin chokehold in the middle overs by Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy has probably won KKR a few games on its own and the Sunrisers will have to be careful against those two if they want to seal a spot in the final directly. It is a cracker of a match-up, of both destructive batting line-ups against each other and the team who bowls better could come out as the likely winner. Sunrisers have been inconsistent with the ball as Bhuvneshwar Kumar, T Natarajan and captain Cummins have shown signs of quality in some places have been erratic at others and will have to be careful because, unlike other teams, they have players to give it back in their own way to them and have the bowling as well to contain them. Kolkata Knight Riders definitely start as favourites but the style of play gives the Orange Army a solid edge. But what about the Royals? The ‘Royal’ Challengers have carved out their own place in history with six wins in a row. That is some feat, which will take time to be matched, let alone be bettered. It’s a turnaround for the ages, especially given that apart from their own results, several others had to go their way for them to qualify for two points after eight matches to be in the playoffs. Apart from the Rajat Patidars, the Swapnil Singhs, Cameron Greens, Yash Dayals and Virat Kohlis of the world, the luck and the stars have aligned for RCB this year. Rishabh Pant getting banned just before DC’s game against RCB when both had a chance to seal the playoffs spot, Rajat Patidar getting dropped thrice early in his as many innings and then going on to play rapid knocks, the bash brothers for Delhi Jake Fraser-McGurk and Tristan Stubbs both getting run out in the same match, rain washing out Rajasthan Royals’ match and not Hyderabad’s when the prediction of showers was the other way around. Now RCB face an underconfident Royals who are yet to win in May and not Sunrisers, who on their day could bulldoze a team before they even walked out on the field. But the challenge for RCB will be, can they continue with the same momentum in the knockouts because now there are no second chances and emotions will have to be kept aside after what happened in the Garden City a few days ago. Royals is an interesting case because it happened with them last season as they went from looking very good to reach the top four to not making it and now are on a freefall and will need their main players to stand up, the likes of Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson, Riyan Parag, Yuzvendra Chahal and Sandeep Sharma. Royals’ bowling attack is still very potent and solid but the absence of both Shimron Hetmyer and Jos Buttler has hurt them and hope that the former is fit by the time the match starts. Ideally, KKR start favourites but knockouts don’t work on traditional prediction. One good innings, one good over and suddenly the favourites struggle to even get close to the finishing line.

KKR’s charter flight to Kolkata from Lucknow diverted twice due to bad weather, team stays in Varanasi overnight

Danijones6 months ago6 months ago04 mins

Image Source : KKRIDERS X Kolkata Knight Riders players at Guwahati Airport after the first diversion Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) may be braving teams on the field in the 2024 edition of the IPL for fun, however, they didn’t have much say in front of inclement weather as a five-day break came to their rescue. KKR team’s Kolkata-bound flight from Lucknow was diverted to Guwahati late Monday night due to bad weather in Kolkata. However, an hour later when it was ready to take off from Guwahati, it was diverted yet again and the table-toppers find themselves in Varanasi currently. KKR, who played their last game on Sunday in Lucknow, will be in action on Saturday, May 11 against the Mumbai Indians at home, so they do have a few days before their next game and weather decided to take them on a ride. The Knight Riders as per the latest update will attempt another flight in afternoon after staying in Varanasi overnight. “Travel update: KKR’s charter flight from Lucknow to Kolkata diverted to Guwahati due to bad weather. Flight currently standing at the Guwahati Airport tarmac. More updates soon,” the first update at 9:34 PM IST from KKR on Twitter (now X) read. At 10:11 PM, they were ready to take off for Kolkata from Guwahati. “Update at 1:20 AM: Flight diverted to Varanasi after another failed attempt at landing in Kolkata due to bad weather. Current status: At the Lal Bahadur Shastri International airport tarmac,” read the next update. “Update at 3:00 AM: KKR team would be checking into Varanasi hotel for overnight stay. Return flight to Kolkata TBD on Tuesday (7 May) afternoon. Stay safe, Kolkata,” the final update read. KKR are due to play in Guwahati against the Rajasthan Royals on May 19, which will be their final league stage match but they didn’t know they would land in the city 12 days before. KKR are currently at the top of the table with eight wins in 11 matches. The weather in Kolkata brought some respite to the locals from the excessive heat and is set to remain cloudy with showers in the next few days with the forecast for Saturday, the match day also not being dry.

Flight Scare for Kolkata Knight Riders! Charter plane diverted after ‘failed attempt at landing’ | Cricket News

Danijones6 months ago02 mins

The charter flight of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) had to be redirected twice, first to Guwahati and then to Varanasi, after adverse weather conditions in Kolkata didn’t allow their plane to land.The Shreyas Iyer-led squad was returning to Kolkata following their big win over Lucknow Super Giants in the Indian Premier League (IPL) match at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow on Sunday. KKR hammered the Lucknow team by 98 runs. The updates about the KKR’s flight were shared by the franchise on microblogging website ‘X’. “Travel update: KKR’s charter flight from Lucknow to Kolkata diverted to Guwahati due to bad weather Flight currently standing at the Guwahati Airport tarmac. More updates soon,” read the first post on ‘X’ from KKR. After taking off from Guwahati around midnight, the flight still couldn’t land in Kolkata due to bad weather and was diverted to Varanasi. “Flight diverted to Varanasi after another failed attempt at landing in Kolkata due to bad weather. Current status: At the Lal Bahadur Shastri International airport tarmac,” read the next update.The team is now expected to fly from Varanasi on Tuesday afternoon.Table-toppers Kolkata will take on Mumbai Indians in their next IPL match at the Eden Gardens on Saturday.

Harshit Rana ‘taunts BCCI’ with unmissable act in LSG vs KKR match after one-match suspension

Danijones6 months ago04 mins

Kolkata Knight Riders fast bowler Harshit has twice been severely punished by the BCCI for his on-field celebrations during the ongoing IPL 2024. He was fined 60 per cent of his match fees for a flying-kiss send-off to Mayank Agarwal during a match against Sunrisers Hyderabad before being handed a 100 per cent fine on his match fee along with a one-match suspension for breach of the IPL Code of Conduct. However, in the match against Lucknow Super Giants on Sunday at the Ekana Stadium, Harshit chose not to pull off the same act, but rather “taunted” BCCI with a different gesture. Kolkata Knight Riders bowler Harshit Rana celebrates the wicket of Lucknow Super Giants batter Kurnal Pandya during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 T20 cricket match between Lucknow Super Giants and Kolkata Knight Riders(PTI) Harshit was among the pick of the bowlers for KKR in the match against LSG as he picked three crucial wickets to help the visitors bundle the home team for just 137 in the chase of 236 with 23 balls to spare. During one of his wicket celebrations on Sunday, Harshit celebrated with a finger-on-the-lips gesture. KKR later posted it on social media, which left fans thinking if it was a message directed at the BCCI. Unlock exclusive access to the latest news on India’s general elections, only on the HT App. Download Now! Download Now! It is yet not known whether BCCI will take action against Harshit for his new celebration. Earlier on Sunday, before the match against LSG, KKR player Nitish Rana teased Harshit by asking whether he was going to give another ‘flying kiss’ during the tournament. The right-armer smiled sheepishly and then burst into laughter saying that he would not do that again. Harshit faced a stringent punishment from BCCI earlier last week for his animated send-off gesture towards Delhi Capitals batter Abhishek Porel after he dismissed him. While he did stop himself from another flying-kiss act, he gestured with his hand showing the batter the way back to the pavilion. “Rana committed a Level 1 offence under Article 2.5 of the IPL’s Code of Conduct. He admitted to the offence and accepted the Match Referee’s sanction. For Level 1 breaches of the Code of Conduct, the Match Referee’s decision is final and binding. The player was earlier penalised under the same level and article of the IPL Code of Conduct,” the IPL said in a statement. News / Cricket News / Harshit Rana ‘taunts BCCI’ with unmissable act in LSG vs KKR match after one-match suspension

We are focused on following template set by Gambhir: KKR’s Harshit Rana

Danijones6 months ago07 mins

Young pacer Harshit Rana feels Kolkata Knight Riders are reaping the rewards by following the winning template set by two-time IPL winner. File picture | Photo Credit: Deepak K R Young pacer Harshit Rana feels Kolkata Knight Riders are reaping the rewards by following the winning template set by two-time IPL winner and current mentor Gautam Gambhir as they continued their sensational run to grab the top position in the IPL points table. Gambhir had led KKR to the IPL crown twice with the team also qualifying for the playoffs five times during his stint from 2011 to 2017. He had also guided KKR to the finals of the now-defunct Champions League T20 in 2014. However, in the last seven years, KKR could reach the playoffs only twice. Gambhir’s return to the KKR camp as a mentor this year turned things around as the Kolkata-based franchise moved to the top of the table with 16 points following a dominating 98-run over Lucknow Super Giants – 8th win in 11 games – on May 6 “Not only this match, this entire season we have been focussing a lot on the style of cricket that Gautam Gambhir wants us to play. He has a lot of knowledge on how to turn games in our favour and it helps us a lot in the middle,” Rana said during the press conference. “Like today he gave the bowlers a free hand, to find the length to bowl depending on the wicket, and not to try too many things,” he added. Rana (3/24 in 3.1 overs) played a crucial role in the win by taking three wickets while defending a target of 235. “KKR read the wicket very well. The areas we had to bowl, we targeted the right places,” Rana said. IPL’s biggest buy Mitchell Starc has proved expensive this season but Rana said the team management is not at all bothered about his economy rate and has faith on the Australian speedstar. “We have not cared even for a bit on how expensive Mitchell Starc has been in IPL 2024. He have full faith in him and he won us the last game and we have no doubts on him whatsoever. “He has such a great influence on the younger players, he has such a huge wealth of knowledge,” Rana said. Rana said his dream is to play for India and is focussing on his performance. “My aim is to play for India but whatever franchise I play for I try to give my best on the day of the match. I will be selected based on my performance and performance alone,” Rana said. We’d our plans but everything went Narine’s way: Naveen It was yet another sparkling fifty by Sunil Narine (81 off 39) which helped KKR post a massive 235 for six and LSG fast bowler Naveen Ul Haq conceded that all their plans failed against the star West Indian allrounder. “I think he played quite well. We had a plan of bowling bouncers and yorkers and mixing it up and not being predictable against him. We did that but he played quite a brilliant innings to be honest,” he said. “It wasn’t like he was slogging and everything was going top edge or anything like slicing the ball. He was properly middling it and that’s the case like from the beginning of the season. “He’s been middling it. Everything going his way. So yeah, it was a great knock by him.” The Afghan seamer said LSG could have produced a better show with the bat but they can’t dwell on defeat too much as they need to focus on the next game. “The amount of games that we have played in Lucknow, I think this was the best wicket to bat on. We did not do the things in the chase that we did – say in the game at Chepauk, where the target was very high. It was not like bad or anything, there was nothing for the bowlers,” Naveen said. “Pressure is always there on whatever score you are chasing. Every team has a bad day, and we cannot keep focusing on that, we have to move on.”

Sunil Narine rules with the bat as KKR top the IPL table

Danijones6 months ago07 mins

If 200 plus runs are the new normal of this Indian Premier League, West Indies’ Sunil Narine should also take a fair amount of credit for that. The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) opener’s power-hitting can dictate terms to any bowling attack and on any surface, even one that was a bit slow on Sunday at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium. Continuing his good run with bat and ball, Narine showed his batting might first, striking a 39-ball 81 (6×4, 7×6) – this is his third fifty while he also has a century – to propel KKR to 235/6 before taking 1/22 to help crush Lucknow Super Giants’ hopes of any meaningful response (PTI) Continuing his good run with bat and ball, Narine showed his batting might first, striking a 39-ball 81 (6×4, 7×6) – this is his third fifty while he also has a century – to propel KKR to 235/6 before taking 1/22 to help crush Lucknow Super Giants’ hopes of any meaningful response as the hosts were dismissed for 137 in 16.1 overs. Unlock exclusive access to the latest news on India’s general elections, only on the HT App. Download Now! Download Now! The 98-run victory also lifted twice former champions KKR past Rajasthan Royals to the top of the points table. Narine has spoken about Gautam Gambhir, back as KKR mentor this season, giving him a free hand as a top-order enforcer. He was on song, hammering the LSG bowlers all around the ground. Like they have done several times this season, Narine and fellow opener Phil Salt put on a 61-run partnership off just 26 balls. It was their sixth fifty partnership this IPL. Though Afghanistan pacer Naveen-ul-Haq ended Salt’s (32 – 14b, 5×4, 1×6) stay within the powerplay, chasing a wide delivery with KL Rahul taking an eye-catching diving catch, Narine powered on, hitting three sixes off Marcus Stoinis. Narine, whose century came against Rajasthan Royals before he scored 71 against Punjab Kings, completed his seventh IPL half-century off just 27 balls. After Salt’s dismissal, he joined young Angkrish Raghuvanshi (32, 26b) and the two added 79 runs together as KKR raced to 110/1 at the halfway mark. As the match progressed, Narine became more aggressive, especially in the last couple of overs. He could have been caught at long on, but the fielder overbalanced and stumbled over the rope to concede a six. He could have been caught again, this time at short third, but Stoinis couldn’t quite hold on as he dived and then tried to reach overhead, still letting the ball go for a boundary. Narine’s clean-hitting show ended on the last ball of the 12th over when he was caught on the long-off boundary. The KKR batters who followed him maintained the scoring momentum. Andre Russell’s 8-ball 12 (1×4, 1×6) and Rinku Singh’s 16 (11b, 2×4) kept the scoreboard racing before skipper Shreyas Iyer (23 – 15b, 3×4) and Ramandeep Singh’s unbeaten 23 in just six balls with the help of one four and three towering sixes helped the side cross the 200 mark. In fact, Singh’s innings was a treat to watch as he came at No.7 and belted in the death overs and guided KKR to the highest batting first total at the venue. LSG never looked in control though skipper Rahul and all-rounder Stoinis tried their best to accelerate, adding 50 for the second wicket, after losing young opener Arshin Kulkarni in the second over. Rahul fell for 25 (21 b, 3×4) while Stoinis stroked a 21-ball 36, containing four boundaries and two sixes. The two couldn’t make much of a difference as the side could only make 55/1 in the powerplay in contrast to KKR’s 70/1 in the first six overs. As the two fell before the half-way mark, the remaining LSG batters found the going tough against a disciplined bowling attack, especially Russell, who made perfect use of his bouncers to remove Stoinis and Nicholas Pooran (10). Harshit Rana (3/24) and Varun Chakravarthy (3/30) too bowled on a tight line and kept striking to leave LSG fifth on the table. “The most important thing is starting well,” Narine said at the presentation. “Support staff have been backing me. It’s been working for me, and I hope it does for the rest of the tournament. It’s about picking what you are going to do on that particular day with your strengths. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t.”