Kolkata Knight Riders remained one step away from finishing in the top four after losing to Punjab Kings by 5 wickets in an Indian Premier League (IPL) match at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Friday night. KKR’s loss meant Delhi Capitals qualified for the play-offs and PBKS remained alive in the tournament.

For KKR, it was a dismal effort in the field as they squandered a lot of chances, giving PBKS batsmen lifelines and that cost them the match.

“Initially, we didn’t field that well, we put catches down, myself early and other guys, it has cost us. When the game gets that tight towards the end, extra few wickets down would have helped us. Equally, I thought we fought hard, batted really well and probably had a par score. Not a winning score on that wicket but thought the bowlers did a good job. Kings played well and then we fought back, catches have cost us,” KKR captain Eoin Morgan said in the post-match presentation.

However, in the 19th over, KKR came close to dismiss PBKS KL Rahul as Rahul Tripathi completed a low catch in the deep. On further referrals, the third umpire ruled that the catch was not clean and the ball had touched the ground.

“I thought in real-time it was out (referring to the Rahul catch in the 19th over). Obviously, when you slow things down and analyse it.. that the third umpire thought otherwise and his decision is made, that’s final and we need to get on with it. But it would have been nice if we had got that wicket,” Morgan said of the catch.

Venkatesh Iyer, for KKR, played brilliantly at the top and scored a calculated half-century.

“Yeah, he (Venkatesh Iyer) is (some player). He’s a real find for us, has been with us the whole campaign and we have watched him in practice.. above all his attitude is fantastic for a guy that plays fearlessly as he does with the bat. He takes a lot of responsibility with the ball,” the English international said.

Morgan said that they have played some cricket in the tournament and will be taking away the positives. However, he said that the Kolkata-based franchise will fight hard in their remaining two matches and eye a play-offs berth.