27 April,2021 02:45 PM IST | Mumbai | Subodh Mayure
Eoin Morgan. Picture/ AFP
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) finally scored a win after four successive defeats, when they beat Punjab Kings (PBKS) by five wickets in Ahmedabad on Monday.
KKR captain Eoin Morgan, who led from the front by scoring an unbeaten 47 while chasing PBKS 123-9, wants this win will be a new beginning for KKR in IPL-14.
"Managing losses isn't that difficult. We have an incredible coaching staff led by a fantastic coach [Brendon McCullum]. We have a great CEO [Venky Mysore] and two magnificent owners [Shah Rukh Khan and Jay Mehta], who always lend their support whether we win or lose. It is one of the reasons why we have been so successful over the course of the IPL. Having that backing certainly helps. It is nice to be able to reward them. This win is, hopefully the start of something [special]," Morgan said at the post-match virtual press conference on Monday night. England's World Cup-winning skipper was replying to mid-day's query on how tough it was to digest those four defeats.
KKR registered their first win in the tournament when they beat Sunrisers Hyderabad by 10 runs on April 11 in Chennai. However, the two-time IPL champions then lost to Mumbai Indians by 10 runs on April 13 in Chennai and suffered a 38-run loss to Royal Challengers Bangalore at the same venue on April 18. In their next two games at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, Chennai Super Kings beat KKR by 18 runs and Rajasthan Royals outclassed KKR by six wickets.
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After six games KKR had only four points.
"The performance tonight [Monday] really epitomised how the group wants to play. With the ball especially, we displayed how we want to go about our business. That is a really encouraging thing. We can't change anything that has already happened. Building on tonight's performance will be important for us," remarked Morgan.
Put in to bat, Maynak Agarwal (31) and Chris Jordan (30) helped PBKS post 123-9 in the allotted 20 overs. For KKR pacer Prasidh Krishna (3-30) bowled well, while off-spinner Sunil Narine and pacer Pat Cummins supported him taking two wickets apiece.
Tripathi's 41 and unbeaten 47 from Morgan helped KKR to chase the target with 20 balls to spare.
