A schoolboy error by Kings XI Punjab against Kolkata Knight Riders proved so costly that they lost the match because of it. Dangerous all-rounder Andre Russell was clean bowled by Mohammed Shami but there were only three fielders inside the 30-yard circle. Hence, the umpire called it as a no-ball and Russell capitalized on this given opportunity to end the game as the man of the match.
KXIP’s coach Mike Hesson admitted that they were not alert enough to avoid this error at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Russell played a blitzing knock of 48 runs in just 17 balls and took KKR’s total to 218/4 in 20 overs.
Also Read: Russell punished Punjab bowlers after getting reprieve off a no-ball
Addressing the press conference after the match, Hesson said “The game changed in the 17th over. Obviously, we had a plan for Russell that we executed well, but we weren’t quite alert enough in the field, and that’s where the game changed.”
Punjab won the toss and asked KKR to bat first on a good batting surface. Riding on half-centuries from Nitish Rana and Robin Uthappa. Kolkata posted a mammoth total of 218 runs, which proved too much to chase down for Punjab.
The match-defining moment came during the 17th over of KKR’s innings when Mohammed Shami bowled Russell with a pinpoint yorker. But it was instantly ruled a no-ball by the umpire and West Indian player got a reprieve.
“It’s a fine line when you’re bowling to Andre Russell. He’s a game changer. We had that little bit of jubilation and then things turned pretty quickly (with the no-ball) and we weren’t quite able to turn the last few overs for 12 or 14 runs. Instead, we ended up giving away 22 or 24 runs, and it probably changed the game,” Hesson added.
Also Read: What were the reasons for defeat for KXIP against KKR
When asked whether Ashwin’s Mankaded dismissal of Jos Buttler was playing in the back of their mind, he replied:
“We were very focused quickly afterwards, in terms of preparing for KKR. So that’s very much been our focus.”
Punjab made as many as four changes from their team which won the game against Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur. When asked related to so much chopping from the winning eleven, former Kiwi coach stated:
“Nicholas Pooran was injured so that’s a straight swap, since David Miller’s a big player for us. And then we felt on that surface, someone who can bowl back-of-a-length like Hardus Viljoen instead of Sam Curran was the way to go. And Hardus bowled really nicely, so those were two big changes.”
“And with Andrew Tye coming back in, being a key player, we had to make a decision on overseas players. That’s why Varun Chakravarthy came in instead of Mujeeb,” he concluded.
Punjab will next play against Mumbai Indians in Mohali on Saturday.
