. Abu Dhabi - United Arab Emirates
Dinesh Karthik backs Pat Cummins after wicketless debut against Mumbai Indians
KKR skipper Dinsesh Karthik said he trusts Pat Cummins' ability and is sure the Aussie will deliver. (Photo Credit: Twitter/@KKRiders)
- Pat Cummins went wicketless and gave away 49 runs in his three overs
- He was bought by KKR for Rs 15.5 crore, making him the most expensive foreign player in IPL history
- KKR lost to defending champions Mumbai Indians by 49 runs
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) skipper Dinesh Karthik eased qualms about Australian paceman Pat Cummins’ underwhelming debut with the ball, assuring that the most expensive foreign recruit in Indian Premier League (IPL) history will eventually, come good.
Bought by KKR for a whopping Rs 15.5 crore in the player auction last December, Cummins went wicketless in his three overs while also giving away 49 runs in his side’s opening encounter against defending champions Mumbai Indians (MI).
Also Read: Rohit Sharma stars in Mumbai Indians' 49-run win over Kolkata Knight Riders
However, Cummins smashed 33 runs in 12 balls to reduce KKR’s arrears.
Addressing the media following KKR’s 49-run defeat, Karthik said, “It is very unfair to judge him right now. He is off quarantine. He is a world champion bowler. From whatever I have heard and seen he is one of the best going around in the world. I trust him completely. I am sure he will come good.”
Mumbai captain Rohit Sharma lead from the front as he scored 80 runs in 54 balls to guide his side to a 195-run total, which they successfully defended to end their six-match losing streak in the UAE.
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In the 2014 edition, half of which was played in the UAE because of general elections in India, Mumbai lost five consecutive matches in addition to their opening day loss to Chennai Super Kings on September 19.
“It was only two players (himself and Kieron Pollard) from the 2014 squad (that are with Mumbai this season). It was all about how we executed our plans today, we were in good positions and it was all about being ruthless,” Sharma said.
Sharma shared a crucial 90-run partnership with Suryakumar Yadav, who scored 47, for the second wicket to set up the winning total.
The Indian opener also smashed six sixes in his man-of-the-match innings to take his total sixes count to 200 in the IPL.