Off-day with ball behind KKR’s loss vs SRH: Shreyas Iyer

Kolkata Knight Riders skipper Shreyas Iyer blamed “off day with ball” for the team’s defeat against Sunrisers Hyderabad in the 25th match of the 2022 Indian Premier League at Mumbai’s Brabourne Stadium on Friday.

“Feeling very drained. I thought it was a good total. To be honest, Tripathi came in and changed the moment and didn’t allow us to settle. Their bowlers executed the stuff well as the ball was seaming. As batters, we were settled at the end of the powerplay and put a great effort as a batting unit. Was an off day as a bowling unit,” he said at the post-match presentation ceremony. 

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Sent to bat first, Nitish Rana (54) and Andre Russell (49) lifted Kolkata Knight Riders to a 175 for 8. 

In reply, SRH chased down the target in 17.5 overs after half-centuries from Rahul Tripathi (71 off 37) and Aiden Markram (68 not out off 36). This was SRH’s third straight win this season. 

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“It was a step up. With the ball to take early wickets against Kolkata, who keep coming at us, helped us. Our death bowling was superb. To go out there and chase it with Rahul and Markram playing so well… All in all a fantastic performance,” SRH skipper Kane Williamson said after the win.

“Both Jansen and Markram are big players for us. Marco with his bouncers and with the new ball is key. Umran is unique that he touches the 150 mark. He goes for four on many occasions which is not ideal but he is always looking to improve. There are little things to improve on. The guys are working hard and good to see the improvement,” he added. 

Rahul Tripathi won the Player of the match.