Kolkata Knight Riders didn’t get off to a great start in IPL 2023 after they lost their opening fixture against Punjab Kings by seven runs (DLS method) at the IS Bindra Stadium, Mohali on Saturday. Iyer admitted that the home team took advantage of their own conditions and feels the result could have been different as it was a matter of a couple of boundaries.
PBKS posted a par score of 191-5 in the first innings after a fine fifty from Bhanuka Rajapaksa. Prabhsimran Singh, Shikhar Dhawan, Sam Curran, and Jitesh Sharma also contributed to the score of the home team.
However, KKR could not get going in the run-chase as they lost three early wickets in the PowerPlay overs. Ventakesh Iyer, who was used as an ‘Impact Player’ by KKR, scored 34 runs from 28 balls. Iyer added a good partnership of 50 runs with Andre Russell, in which the latter did the bulk of the scoring.
Iyer was dismissed by Arshdeep Singh when he was trying to play the uppercut. KKR were 146-7 after 16 overs when the rain came pouring down and the visitors were seven runs behind the par DLS score.
Iyer said in the post-match press conference, “The wicket started to grip a little bit in the second innings. But we all know it was a good wicket to bat on. It’s not that we didn’t use the dimensions well. Obviously, it’s their home ground and it played to their advantage.”
“The shots we hit were good shots. Unfortunately, we couldn’t find the middle of the bat in those. If we had found the middle, it would have been a different story. I think credit to them for using it. We didn’t lack anywhere. Just a few boundaries here and there and the result would have been different,” said Iyer.
On the other hand, KKR skipper Nitish Rana admitted PBKS batted really well to put them under pressure.
He said in the post-match presentation, “Was thinking of using Anukul with the ball but didn’t find the right situation for it. Russell not bowling at the death wasn’t because of any injury issue. I just felt like going with my five main bowlers. They batted well, judged the wicket better than us. Anything could’ve happened if the rain didn’t arrive. Venkatesh got out unfortunately as we were trying to get ahead on DLS. The shot was on. Overall it was a good game. Plenty of learnings from it. It’s only the first game of the season.”
KKR will next face Royal Challengers Bangalore on Thursday at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.
