IPL 2021: Dropped Catches Have Cost Us - KKR Skipper Eoin Morgan After 5-Wicket Loss To PBKS

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) skipper Eoin Morgan was distraught following his side’s 5-wicket loss to Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Friday. PBKS chased down the target of 166 with five wickets and three balls to spare.

During the run chase, Morgan dropped Mayank Agarwal in the very first over which cost his side. Mayank went on to make 40 before the Englishman righted his wrong but it was a bit too late. Rahul Tripathi had quite a mixed day in the field.

He took one catch, one brilliant catch that was disallowed under controversial circumstances, and two drops – one of which cost them the match in the end. The sloppy performance meant that KKR was subject to their sixth defeat of the season.

“Initially we didn’t field as well, put catches down. Myself early too. We probably had a par score on the wicket. Kings played well, we fought back, but catches have cost us. Equally, I thought we fought hard, batted really well, and probably had a par score.“

“Not a winning score on that wicket but thought the bowlers did a good job. Kings played well and then we fought back, catches have cost us. I thought in real-time it was out (referring to the Rahul catch in the 19th over). Obviously, when you slow things down and analyze it that the third umpire thought otherwise and his decision is made, that’s final and we need to get on with it,” he said.

“Venkatesh Iyer’s attitude is fantastic for a guy that plays fearlessly” – Eoin Morgan

The KKR skipper heaped praise on 26-year-old Venkatesh Iyer, who had a good day with both bat and ball. He scored a brisk 67 before picking up the wicket of KL Rahul in the run chase.

“Yeah, he (Venkatesh Iyer) is (some player). He’s a real find for us, has been with us the whole campaign and we have watched him in practice.. above all his attitude is fantastic for a guy that plays fearlessly as he does with the bat. He takes a lot of responsibility with the ball,” Morgan added.

The loss means KKR continue to occupy fourth place while PBKS jumped up one spot above Mumbai Indians into fifth place.

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