The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) put on a batting masterclass against the Delhi Capitals (DC) on Wednesday night in the 2024 IPL, registering the second-highest total in tournament history (272/7). But the biggest talking point of the evening was the sensational debut of 18-year-old Angkrish Raghuvanshi.
Raghuvanshi, who played a crucial role in India’s U-19 World Cup victory in 2022, was thrown into the deep end at number 3 with the legendary Sunil Narine on fire at the other end. However, the youngster didn’t shy away from the challenge.
Thrashing the first two balls of his IPL career for boundaries off the fiery Anrich Nortje, Raghuvanshi showcased his fearless batting style. He didn’t just play second fiddle to Narine’s blistering 85 (39 balls) but carved his own path, reaching a well-deserved fifty off just 25 balls before departing for 54.
ALSO READ: Mumbai Court Orders Police Probe Into Prithvi Shaw Molestation Allegations
KKR skipper Shreyas Iyer was effusive in his praise for the young talent. “He (Raghuvanshi) was fearless right from ball one,” Iyer said at the post-match presentation. Highlighting Raghuvanshi’s work ethic, Iyer added, “When I see him at training, his work ethic is phenomenal. He’s top notch in terms of analysing the situation. He’s a smart batter when it comes to reading the situation and the way he played today, the shots were pleasing to the eye.”
Narine’s blistering knock set the tone for KKR’s dominant performance. While the team management initially aimed for a score around 210-220, Narine’s Powerplay onslaught opened doors for a bigger total.
“Not at all, to be honest. We thought we will reach around 210-220 but 270 is like an icing on the cake,” Shreyas Iyer said, clarifying that breaking the all-time record wasn’t their primary focus.
He also revealed the team’s strategy for maximizing Narine’s impact. “As I said in a pre-match interview that Sunny’s (Narine) job is just to go out there and free his arm and see to it that we have a great Powerplay. Even if he doesn’t, we’ve got other batters who can take on the bowlers. This is the mindset, we keep the intent strong,” Shreyas Iyer explained.
Mitchell Starc, who had been struggling with his form lately, finally showed signs of improvement, taking 2/25 in his four overs. This was a much-needed boost for KKR’s bowling attack.
“It’s great to see all the bowlers also stepping up at the right time and taking the responsibility, capitalising on the overs and owning their yards,” Shreyas Iyer said, highlighting the team spirit.
ALSO READ: Top 10 Fastest Balls In IPL History: A Showcase Of Lightning Pace
However, there was a concerning moment when fast bowler Harshit Rana walked off the field without bowling a single delivery. “I also don’t know. On the field he (Rana) was holding his shoulder and I have been in that situation previously so I know how it feels,” Iyer shared, expressing his concern about Rana’s potential injury.
KKR’s dominant win against DC showcases their depth and potential. The team’s strategy of maximizing powerplay overs with Narine and having young talents like Raghuvanshi step up bodes well for their future performance. While Rana’s injury status remains a concern, KKR will aim to maintain their winning momentum in the upcoming matches.
