CSK vs KKR: What Experts said as Ruturaj Gaikwad ‘sparkles’ again to beat Kolkata

Kolkata Knight Riders finally paid for their nonunderstandable team management as they have been almost eliminated after a six-wicket loss to bottom-placed Chennai Super Kings in Dubai. While Ruturaj Gaikwad’s sparkling innings did put a lot of strain on the opponents, but the credit of the loss must also go to the team management of KKR who did not refrain from experimenting even today as Sunil Narine and Rinku Singh were sent ahead of skipper Eoin Morgan, that too at a time when the team struggled badly. 

In the bowling department too, they had the game in their hand until after bowling three perfect yorkers, Lockie Ferguson, the most trusted asset bowled three full tosses in the next four balls of the 19th over, which also included a waist-high no-ball. He gave away 20 runs in that and Kamlesh Nagarkoti needed to defend 10. He dragged the match down to 6 runs from 2 balls and then bowled two length deliveries which were happily deposited for two sixes by Ravindra Jadeja.

Thus Chennai chased down 173 with the help of some brilliant batting by Gaikawad at the beginning and Jadeja at the end.

Captains’ Viewpoints

Reacting to the victory, winning captain of MS Dhoni said, “I think it was one game in which the climax went in our favour. A lot of credit goes to the guys.”

Sam Curran failed to deliver what was expected of him, however, that did not deter CSK from winning luckily.Speaking about Curran, Dhoni said, “This season he has been fantastic. He has been the only one in our team who has scored in the death overs. He needed somebody else and that would have been good for us.”

Having called Gaikwad and other youngsters as spark-less, Dhoni now went on to praise him for being able to score brilliantly in the last two games. “Rituraj has shown the talent that he is. He came in and got positive with Covid. We didn't have much time to have a look at him. He is one of the talented youngsters going around. He is not someone who speaks a lot.”

Adding that Ruturaj wasn’t batting at his usual slot of opening the initial innings, the CSK captain said, “When we made him play the first game, he stepped out and got out. But one ball is never enough. I think it is very exciting how he has grabbed his chances.”

Calling this victory as an opportunity to remain relevant in the league, the 39-year-old said, “It is very important to be relevant in the tournament. It was very important for us to give it our best. We are not in a position to qualify for the next stage but we have had a glimpse of people who can play for us in the coming seasons.”

Eoin Morgan, the losing captain was more frustrated than disappointed with the result of the game. “I think we played really well there, just on the wrong side of the toss. The dew from about the 8th over was really challenging,” he said.  

Citing improvement in the batting department, the Englishman said, “We improved on our batting (as compared to the previous games). Our bowlers absolutely gave it everything.”

Talking about the next game against Rajasthan Royals, where even a victory couldn’t guarantee the Knight Riders a place in the Playoffs, Morgan said, “We have one game left, and still have a very little chance. We felt we were right in the game (at the halfway stage). Nitish Rana kicked on and showed his class once again. It was actually a good day for us with the bat.”

Saying that he cannot find anybody particular at fault, the 33-year-old praised the two spinners in his team.  “They (Narine and Varun) are two fantastic spinners. I can't fault anyone's effort tonight. He (Nagarkoti) didn't have enough runs to defend,” he said.  

“He's a young guy; he will take it on the chin and move forward,” he added praising Kamlesh Nagarkoti who almost defended 10 runs in the last over.

Expert Opinion

The team management of Kolkata has irritated not only the fans but also the cricket experts with certain decisions of theirs. In today’s light of discussion were their decisions and the brilliant display of batting by youngster Ruturaj.

Senior cricket analyst Boria Majumdar praised the young Ruturaj Gaikwad for his superb innings of 72 off 53 balls and also said that legendary Indian batsman Sachin had predicted that Ruturaj is one for the long haul, especially after seeing his temperament. 

Aakash Chopra talked about another youngster, Varun Chakravarthy and how dismissed the former Indian and current CSK skipper MS Dhoni.  

Discussing the game, veteran journalist Ayaz Memon summed it up quite nicely. 

Vimal Kumar, a senior broadcast cricket journalist talked about how one week was enough to change the perception of people about many things, including Ruturaj Gaikwad. 

For Chennai it is almost impossible to qualify, however, Kolkata still have an outside chance, but for that to happen they have got to win their last game against Rajasthan Royals.

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