Qualifier 2 was a game filled with surprises from both sides. A real entertainer was witnessed yesterday at the Sharjah International stadium where Kolkata Knight Riders claimed their spot for the finals of IPL 2021 by the nearest of margins.
Delhi Capitals were seen to be in tears after the close encounter – a loss that’s hard to take after performing so well the entire season. On the other hand, KKR was seen to be celebrating their unexpected extra-ordinary victory which came from a six by the bat of Rahul Tripathy.
Expecting the pitch to be better later down the game, KKR won the toss and decided to bowl first. DC started quite well with the bat but could not hold on because of some of the greatest bowling shows from the bowlers of Kolkata.
However, at the end of 20 overs, DC posted a score of 135/5 with a run rate of 6.75. KKR with a responsible opening with the bat by the youngsters reached the target with only one ball remaining.
Now, let us have a look at some of the key performers from the key encounter between DC and KKR.
The end of DC’s journey for this year
Shikhar Dhawan
With the fall of Prithvi Shaw during the beginning of the fifth over, it was Dhawan to continue with his sensible batting while rotating strikes at the same time. He was striking low yesterday at 92.30 but his stay at one end of the wicket until the 15th over helped DC to at least post a score of 135 on the board.
Dhawan scored 35 runs from 39 deliveries. He built his innings including four and two sixes.
Shreyas Iyer
The only batsmen to score 30 from DC after Dhawan’s dismissal. Iyer took the responsibility with an unbeaten 30 runs from 27 balls and made sure Delhi had something on their hands to defend.
It was seen that Delhi’s bowling took the match towards the last over by bowling some of the greatest death-overs bowled in IPL 2021. They stood as the active line of defense until the last bowl of the match.
Kagiso Rabada
Rabada was unstoppable last night, especially towards the end. He had been a hope with the bowl for Delhi all these times. Rabada bowled his four overs giving away just 23 runs. He bowled beautifully by taking 2 wickets, 13 dots with an economy of less than six.
He turned the course of the match towards DC by dismissing the dangerous Venkatesh Iyer from KKR at 55 runs during the 13th over.
Avesh Khan
The leading wicket-taker from Delhi and the second-highest if considered for the season 2021. Khan has ended the season beautifully by bowling most economic overs yesterday. He conceded just 22 runs bowling his quota of four overs. He also took a crucial wicket of Shubman Gill who was looking tremendously dangerous at 46.
Anrich Nortje
The young overseas pacer from DC ended this year’s journey by showcasing the best of his abilities yesterday. Picking up the KKR’s skipper towards the 19th over and changing courses of the game made us pick him as one of the prime performers with the ball for DC.
Nortje Bowled four overs conceding 31 runs and picking up two important wickets.
The Knights’ reign continues
Venkatesh Iyer
Taking the responsibility with the bat, young Iyer’s contribution towards KKR has been incredible this season. He scored 55 runs facing just 41 deliveries and struck at a rate of more than 134. He built his innings beautifully including four 4s and three 6s- the highest for anyone considering yesterday’s performance. A 50 in such a low-scoring vital game is very much appreciable for the young batter.
Shubman Gill
The explosive young opener has been doing his job as the opener for KKR since the start of the season. He played a vital inning of 46 runs from 46 balls yesterday. It was until Shubman Gill on the crease that KKR was seen to be in a calm and composing position. The batting collapsed right after Gill left the show. His contribution towards KKRs success this season is admirable.
Varun Chakravarthy
Bowling for four overs, the dangerous spinner from KKR took two vital wickets and was very economic at a rate of 6.5. He’s always been a trouble for the opponent batsmen and it was seen yesterday during his super-spell of four overs.
Lockie Ferguson
Another star bowling effort from the overseas player for KKR. Ferguson was bowling beautifully at strict line and length. He bowled his quota of four overs and conceded 26 runs taking one vital wicket.
Conclusion
The overall efforts from the bowling unit especially from both the teams were very astonishing to watch yesterday and were one of the main reasons to contain Delhi below the 140 mark. DC will surely miss the title this year but KKR will be looking to make it their third IPL title by battling with pride and honor against MSD’s yellow army.