IPL 2018: It Literally Looked Like We Didn’t Turn Up for the Match - Dinesh Karthik

Kolkata Knight Riders’ inconsistent start to the ongoing season continued on Friday against Delhi Daredevils.

They started the season with an emphatic win over Royal Challengers Bangalore before losing the following two games against Chennai Super Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad. They managed to bounce back in style by winning the following two games.

However, they could not continue the momentum in the next games.  On Friday, they suffered their fourth loss in seven games with Delhi Daredevils routing them by 55 runs in a one-sided affair.

Barring the toss, nothing went Knight Riders’ way. Dinesh Karthik’s decision to bowl first was proved wrong by the rejuvenated Delhi batting lineup.

Colin Munro and Prithvi Shaw provided the team with a solid start by adding 59 runs for the first wicket. Shaw and Shreyas Iyer then added 68 runs to lay the foundation for a big total. The stand was broken when Shaw was sent back by Piyush Chawla for a well-made 62. Iyer, on the other hand, remained until the very end, scoring 93 off just 40 balls to help Delhi post an imposing 219 for four.

In reply, Knight Riders never looked in contention and were eventually restricted to 164 for nine.

Speaking after the loss, a dejected Karthik rued the horrible performance from his side.

“We did all three departments very poorly. Very disappointed, it literally looked like we didn’t turn up for the match,” said a disappointed Karthik.

The last over of Delhi’s innings gave the momentum to the Iyer-led side. Karthik gave the responsibility of containing run-flow to youngster Shivam Mavi, and the bowler was taken for cleaners.

The teenager was smashed for four sixes and a four by Iyer, as he conceded 29 runs off the last over. However, Karthik does not regret his decision.

“Look, he is a fast bowler and he is there to do a job. Who else would I have given it to, one of the fast bowlers, not a spinner. You back your fast bowler and he is someone who has been practising death bowling for us,” he said.

“We need to show faith in him and that is how he will grow as a cricketer. We don’t need to protect him. At this stage it is important; even if he gets hit, it’s a learning experience. If we start protecting him, he is never going to grow,” he added. “In life, you get hit, confidence gets a little low, and that is how you learn. I’m sure he will come back a better bowler in good time.”

He further lavished praise on Iyer and Shaw.

“Shreyas and Prithvi batted really well. Credit to them, they played some really good shots. We could have bowled better, but lot of credit must go to them,” he said.

The Knight Riders now face Virat Kohli’s Royal Challengers Bangalore at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Sunday.