Delhi Capitals captain Rishabh Pant admitted they were all over the place with the ball after their huge loss of 106 runs against Kolkata Knight Riders at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam on Wednesday. After electing to bat first, Kolkata Knight Riders posted the second-highest total in the Indian Premier League history – 272.
Sunil Narine took the Delhi Capitals’ bowlers to the cleaners, making the most of the Powerplay conditions. KKR smashed 88 runs in the first six overs as Narine batted at his absolute best, scoring 21-ball fifty. Narine also had the rub of the green as Rishabh Pant was late to go for the review when the left-hander was on only 24. On replay, it was seen that there was a clear edge.
Narine went on to score a blistering knock of 85 runs, his highest score in the IPL, with the help of seven fours and as many sixes off 39 balls. Furthermore, Angkrish Raghuvanshi made an impressive debut, scoring 54 off just 27 balls.
On the other hand, barring Sumit Kumar, who went at 9.50, all the Delhi Capitals bowlers conceded their runs at more than 10 runs per over. The hosts’ bowlers could not execute their plans and were smashed all around the ground.
In reply, DC was skittled out for 166 after they lost four wickets in the Powerplay overs. Rishabh Pant and Tristan Stubbs scored fifties but none of the other batters could show any resistance.
Rishabh Pant said after the loss while talking to hosts broadcasters, “We were just all over the place (with the ball), we could have done better, and it is one of those days I feel. As a batting unit, we talked about going hard (after the target) and that’s how we approach these games because it is better to be all-out trying to go for the total than not chase it down.”
On not taking the review, Pant said, “It was quite loud (the venue) and couldn’t see the timer on the screen (talking about the non-DRS moments) and there was some issue with the screen as well, there are some things you can control and some you cannot control, you just need to go with the flow. Time to reflect better as a team, as an individual and come back strong in the next game. I am enjoying each and every day (talking about his fitness and comeback) and cricket has its own ups and downs, and at the same time you can try and give your best as an individual.”
Delhi Capitals will next take on Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Sunday.
