25 September,2021 07:53 AM IST | Mumbai | Shishir Hattangadi
KKR players celebrate a MI wicket on Thursday. Pic/BCCI; IPL
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have come back in the second half of the IPL a rejuvenated side. It appears (more by design) - as all cornered tigers seem to perform in sport - fearless and attacking.
Mumbai Indians ticked the first box with a respectable start of 78 runs in 9.2 overs. The second box, the middle-order, couldn't carry forward the start and pretty much slipped gears with fall of wickets and only 29 runs were added between Over No. 10 to 15.
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Expecting the lower-order to get them to a respectable total is something Mumbai have trusted, but regular fall of wickets and the lower-order caving in to total only 155 in 20 overs.
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KKR were fearless and attacking in their batting approach.
Iyer, playing only his second IPL game, has shown what perceptive team think tanks can do if they see a spark in a player. He has batted keeping in mind the importance of being ahead of the four ball in the power play. Dealing in boundaries, he kept the pressure on an internationally successful bowling attack like Adam Milne, Trent Boult and Jasprit Bumrah.
Iyer will have his off days for sure, but if he approaches the power play in the way he is doing at this point in time, we may just see a game changer in this format. He has impressed with his attitude in this format.
Tripathi seems to understand the T20 format with each outing. Taking risks is a part of his game, but he seems to ride his luck and take his team over the finishing line which is a quality that will attract franchises when they sit down to assess players for the future. Chasing 155 in just over 15 overs is a signal that the KKR boys are being in the moment. Their tagline, Korbo lorbo jeetbo re, appears a fit to the way they have turned up in this half of the IPL. Are we seeing a new team sneak into the play offs? The way KKR are playing, it may be so.
The writer is a former Mumbai captain and currently CEO of Baroda Cricket Association
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