IPL 2022: Iyer chuffed to see Umesh’s bowling, says dew big factor vs CSK

Shreyas Iyer scored his first win as Kolkata Knight Riders captain when the two-time champions defeated the Chennai Super Kings by six wickets at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Sunday.

Iyer shuffled across the crease and whipped Adam Milne for a boundary past mid-wicket to seal a win on his KKR debut. His side chased down Ravindra Jadeja-led CSK’s 132-run target with nine balls remaining.

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In the post match ceremony, Iyer praised Umesh Yadav for picking two wickets for 20 runs in his four overs quota. The pacer was named the man of the match.

Batting first, MS Dhoni, who relinquished Chennai’s captaincy role two days back, smashed an unbeaten 50 off 38 balls to take CSK to 131 for 5. The team was struggling at 61/5 when he and newly appointed captain Ravindra Jadeja stitched a 70-run partnership.

Iyer said that there is always tension on the field with Dhoni batting, adding that the dew helped CSK in the end of their innings.

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“I knew momentum was going to shift towards them with the dew around. It was difficult to grip the ball,” the KKR captain said.

The 27-year-old further added that he is ‘enjoying the new franchise’.

“CEO, management, support staff have been outstanding. Just need to carry the momentum. It was spungier than we imagined. This is one place I love to play. I grew up here,” he said.

“I thought it would be flat. It was pretty easy for me with the bowling line up I had. Umesh has worked hard in the nets and did well in the practice games too. Really chuffed to see him perform today,” Iyer praised Yadav.

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CSK skipper Ravindra Jadeja agreed with his KKR counterpart, talking about dew playing a role.

“Dew will be the vital part in this edition. If you win the toss, you will look to bowl first. The wicket was a little damp in the first 6-7 overs and then it came on nicely in the back end of the innings. We were trying to take the game deep. Everybody bowled well given the dew. Bravo bowled very well,” Jadeja, who was leading Chennai for the first time, said.