New Zealand wicket-keeper batsman Tim Seifert finally got the opportunity to make his IPL debut on Friday for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the game against Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. He had received the KKR cap by head coach and compatriot, Brendon McCullum, ahead of the match; he came into the eleven replacing the injured Lockie Ferguson.
After receiving his cap, a funny incident took place. After McCullum had handed his cap and he had worn it, there were plenty of smiles and giggles in the team huddle. Sunil Narine, who has played with Tim Seifert in the CPL for Trinbago Knight Riders, was seen teasing him by wiping some mock emotional tears. Skipper Eoin Morgan and pacer Tim Southee also had a good laugh about it.
Tim Seifert’s debut innings didn’t last longer than 4 balls in which he scored 2 runs. Here is the video of the incident:
https://twitter.com/pant_fc/status/1443971098501005317?s=20
After being asked to bat first by Punjab skipper KL Rahul, KKR opener Venkatesh Iyer started the innings with boundaries on the first and last ball of the first over, bowled by Fabian Allen. Shubman Gill stroked a boundary to Mohammed Shami before being castled by Arshdeep Singh in the third over.
Iyer, though, continued with his attacking intent to finish the powerplay at 48/1. Rahul Tripathi joined in the action and hit the first six of the innings off Allen. Both the batters continued to score boundaries to take KKR to 88 at the 11-over mar before Ravi Bishnoi accounted for Tripathi for 34 off 26.
Iyer, meanwhile, brought up his second IPL fifty and took down Allen with a maximum while continuing to attack the PBKS pacers. He was caught in the deep for 67 off 49 balls to the bowling of Bishnoi. Shami then trapped Eoin Morgan with a full ball.
Venkatesh Iyer
Venkatesh Iyer (Image: Twitter)
Nitish Rana unleashed his array of shots, whacking two sixes and two fours, before being dismissed by Arshdeep for 31 off 81 balls.
Debutant Tim Seifert was run out for 2 by Shami. Arshdeep completed this three-wicket haul with Dinesh Karthik’s wicket on the last ball of the innings, halting KKR’s total at 165.
