Kolkata Knight Riders captain Shreyas Iyer was delighted after their eight-wicket win against Lucknow Super Giants at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata on Sunday. KKR was able to keep the opposition to 161 and then chased down the target with 26 balls to spare to bag two more points.
Mitchell Starc, who was bought for a whopping amount of INR 24.75 crores, returned with impressive figures of 3-28 in his quota of four overs. The Australian pacer accounted for Deepak Hooda, dangerous Nicholas Pooran and Arshad Khan in his fine spell.
Moreover, Sunil Narine once again bowled an economical spell as he returned with figures of 1-17. Meanwhile, Phillip Salt scored a match-winning knock of 89 runs off 47 balls. The England right-hander smashed 14 fours and three sixes in his blistering knock as he scored his runs at a blistering strike rate of 189.36.
Shreyas Iyer also played a run-a-ball knock of 38 and added 120 runs with Salt to get his team home.
Iyer said in the post-match presentation, “Pretty much comprehensive victory. Fielded well and bowled well. Was important to bowl slower ones as much as possible because of the heat and the wicket becoming dry. We executed phenomenally well. When we got wickets, it gave us the advantage to come in and put an attacking effort.”
He added, “Character and attitude the bowlers showed were exceptional. Will keep reiterating that it’s a funny tournament and have to stay in the present as much as possible. Have to seize the moment and not leave it on someone else.”
KKR were able to tick the right boxes and they will look to continue the good show. The two-time champions have won four out of the five matches they have played so far.
Kolkata Knight Riders will next take on Rajasthan Royals at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata on Tuesday.
