IPL 2020: Match 16: Morgan-Tripathi takes KKR close

On paper, Delhi Capitals is the strongest team in this year’s IPL. Kolkata Knight Riders have the weakest team on the other hand. That KKR won two matches in a row with such an inexperienced team was a miracle in itself. But then IPL is that kind of a tournament that on a given day anyone can become a hero. KKR wanted to continue with their winning momentum whereas Delhi Capitals wanted to get back into their winning ways after losing against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Sharjah has been a high scoring venue this season and we were in for a run feast as Delhi Capitals took on Kolkata Knight Riders.

Here are my 5 point highlights of yesterday’s clash.

1. Prithvi Shaw

Prithvi Shaw is the new version of Virendra Sehwag. He goes after the bowling from the word go. I have seen that either you take his wicket early or get ready to be hammered. Sharjah was the perfect venue for him to play through the line. With the ball not rising too much and no lateral movement around it was a free stroking Shaw on display yesterday. 150 KM/Hr deliveries of Pat Cummins were pulled with aplomb and before KKR could know it, Delhi Capitals reached 50 in 5 overs. He scored 66 runs yesterday at a very fair clip to give Delhi Capitals early momentum into the match.

2. Shreyas Iyer

India has had a perennial problem for the number 4 spot. Many players have been tried over the last 2-3 years but no one has been consistent enough. Last year after the World Cup, India gave a long rope to Shreyas Iyer and he took the opportunity in both hands and have been part of some very good wins under Virat Kohli. Shreyas is a copybook cricketer with a wide range of shots and can hit the long ball too. He didn’t have a particularly good start to this year’s IPL but everything changed at Sharjah. He came in at the 6th Over and didn’t get to face a ball in the 20th over – so he played 13 overs in between and scored 88 runs off 38 balls. If he had got the strike in the final over – a century was up for grabs.

3. Andre Russell

You can’t have an IPL without the heroics of Andre Russell. But, this year has been different. This is 2020 and so expect the unexpected. Last year KKR won matches that were deemed lost. Asking run rates of 18 per over were won just by the audacious batting of Russell. This year he is still sitting at the sidelines. But you can’t keep him out of action – can you? Russell has been bowling well this year. He has been very consistent when blowing the yorkers at the death and yesterday was no different. His returns of 2/29 in 4 overs look unbelievable when you look at Rabada being hit for 51 runs. That, Delhi Capitals couldn’t reach 250 was only because of his bowling. With the bat, he failed once again though and I think his batting order is being tinkered too much. He is not your number 4 batsman – it should be earmarked for Eoin Morgan.

4. Anrich Nortje 

Having 2 fast bowlers of Internation standards playing for the same team is a luxury for Delhi Capitals. They can only do that because the best of the Indian batsmen are there in this team. Nortje along with Rabada are the first choice bowlers in the South African team and having both of them playing together for Delhi Capitals is something which makes this Delhi Capitals the most dangerous team in this year’s IPL. Rabada had an off day yesterday but Nortje was in his elements. He breathed fire and his returns of 3/33 in his 4 overs amplifies this fact. The wicket of Morgan in the 19th over sealed the match for Delhi Capitals. For me, he was the Man of the Match because he made the real difference and if he had not taken the wicket of Eoin Morgan then definitely KKR would have nailed that super chase.

5. The final onslaught from Morgan and Tripathi

That KKR didn’t give a chance to Rahul Tripathi in their earlier matches was a surprise for me and finally, when they did take him in, they batted him way too down. I expected him to open the batting yesterday – that didn’t happen and inexplicably he came into bat after Pat Cummins. Even Eoin Morgan is being sent way too low down the order. Morgan should slot into number 4 but yesterday he was sent at number 6. With 229 runs to chase, KKR was staring at a huge defeat when Tripathi joined Morgan in the middle. The scoreboard read 122/6 in the 14th Over. But what followed thereafter was pure mayhem. 5 overs – 78 runs and when the 19th over started, KKR was actually expected to win – the only way Delhi Capitals could have won was by taking wickets and that’s why Morgan’s wicket was so very vital yesterday and the real turning point of the match. 

Kolkata Knight Riders must get their batting order sorted out. Sunil Naraine is a spent force and it makes no cricketing sense to have him as an opener. Morgan should be slotted at number 4 and they need to find a way to get Tom Banton in. For Delhi Capitals, they got back to winning ways and looks solid to go all the way this year.

So what do you think KKR needs to do? Should Naraine be dropped? Is it time to get Prasidh Krishna back? Where should Andre Russell bat? Do they really need 7 bowling options?

Do let me know your thoughts as we head into another doubleheader today.

Happy Sunday folks!