Kolkata Knight Riders and Punjab Kings are up against each other in the 45th match of the Indian Premier League 2021 at Dubai International Stadium. Both teams have a chance to qualify for the playoffs, KKR in particular have a better shot to make it to the last four.
KL Rahul won the toss and opted to bowl first. Chris Gayle has left the IPL 2021 and he is replaced by Fabian Allen in the squad while Mandeep Singh and Harpreet Brar have made way for Mayank Agarwal and Shahrukh Khan. KKR left Lockie Ferguson and Sandeep Warrier and brought in Tim Seifert and Shivam Mavi.
Also Read: Aakash Chopra slams Eoin Morgan’s strategies against CSK
It is notable that KKR management didn’t go for Shakib Al Hasan in absence of Andre Russell. They handed debut cap to Tim Seifert while overlooking Shakib. Brendon McCullum is the head coach of the KKR and many believe this led to the inclination towards the Kiwi players.
Tim Southee, Lockie Ferguson and Seifert all have featured in the second leg of the IPL 2021 but Shakib couldn’t find his way into the XI.
Former Indian cricket Aakash Chopra also believes the same. He tried to take a dig at KKR management through his latest tweet. He mentioned if only Shakib was a Kiwi player he would have found his place in the XI.
Watch the tweet here;
If only Shakib were a Kiwi… #IPL2021
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) October 1, 2021
On the match’s front, Shubhman Gill got out cheaply for 7 as Arshdeep Singh bowled him. Venkatesh Iyer, however, batted beautifully and scored sparkling 67 runs in 49 balls where he hit nine fours and one six. Rahul Tripathi contributed with a handy knock of 34 runs in 26 balls.
Also Read: Aakash Chopra opens up on the SRH’s run chase against PKBS
Ravi Bishnoi bowled a superb spell of four overs where he conceded just 22 runs and managed to pick two wickets. Bishnoi removed both set batsmen in form of Venkatesh Iyer and Rahul Tripathi to pull PKBS back in the game.
