Page 52 - The Indian EYE 092421

SPORTS SEPTEMBER 17, 2021 | The Indian Eye 52

Andre Russell of Kolkata Knight Riders takes a catch to dismiss Ishan Kis- Rashid Khan of Sunrisers Hyderabad celebrates the wicket of Shikhar
han of Mumbai Indians during the IPL match between the Kolkata Knight Dhawan of Delhi Capitals during the Vivo IPL match between the Sunrisers
Riders and the Mumbai Indians, at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi Hyderabad and the Delhi Capitals, at the Dubai International Stadium, in
on Thursday (ANI) Dubai on Wednesday (ANI)

“The #SRH family con- mier League (IPL) 2021 season, had a dismal record against MI, performance and happy to re-
veys its heartfelt condolences Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) registering just six wins in a total start things with a win after our
to Sherfane Rutherford and his captain Eoin Morgan said that of 28 games, but Iyer and Trip- bowlers did a great job. @Del-
family on the passing away of his his side is finally playing a brand athi helped the franchise turn hiCapitals,” tweeted Ponting.
father. Sherfane will be leaving of cricket that is associated with around their fortunes. Earlier this year, Delhi had
the IPL bio-bubble to be with head coach Brendon McCullum. “Sunil Narine and Varun named Rishabh Pant as cap-
his family in this difficult hour,” Rahul Tripathi and Ven- Chakravarthy are formidable tain for the IPL 2021 season
tweeted the official handle of katesh Iyer played knocks of 74 bowlers. Sunil has been integral as Shreyas was ruled out of the
SunRisers Hyderabad. Ruther- and 53 respectively as Kolkata in winning KKR championships first half of the tournament. The
ford was roped in by SRH as a Knight Riders (KKR) defeated in the past. Varun is a fresh franchise retained Pant as cap-
replacement for England open- Mumbai Indians by seven wick- guy. The first two games in this tain even as Shreyas came back
ing batsman Jonny Bairstow, ets here at the Sheikh Zayed second phase has been a great into the setup for the second
who decided to pull out of the Stadium on Thursday. “It’s template for us to play. There’s half in the UAE.
tournament due to personal been a long time since we have only one way for us to go in the “When I got the captaincy
reasons. played like this. Baz (Brendon points table, and that’s up,” said of Delhi Capitals, it benefitted
Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh McCullum) has taken over for Morgan. me a lot as my temperament
Pant played unbeaten knocks of almost two seasons, so the way got better. But obviously, this is
47 and 35 runs respectively as we are playing is now getting Great to have Pant and part of the decision making and
Delhi Capitals chased down the into his style. To hold such a shreyas back together: I respect the franchise’s decision.
target of 135 with eight wickets strong Mumbai team, and chase Ponting Rishabh Pant is leading really
in hand and 13 balls to spare. it down in the manner we did well since the start of the sea-
With this defeat, SunRisers con- gives us confidence. We were After registering an emphat- son and I respect the decision to
tinues to remain at the bottom trying to fit Iyer into the XI with ic eight-wicket win over Sun- continue with him. I like soaking
spot in the points table. a lot of talented guys, and it’s Risers Hyderabad (SRH) in the in the pressure and I like to per-
Earlier, Kagiso Rabada and fantastic with the manner he has ongoing Indian Premier League form when there are challenges.
Anrich Nortje took five wickets scored runs,” Morgan told host (IPL) 2021 season, Delhi Cap- It is not like I am focusing a lot on
among themselves as SunRisers broadcaster Star Sports at the itals coach Ricky Ponting on my batting just because I am not
was restricted to 134/9 in the al- post-match presentation. Thursday said it is great to have the captain,” said Shreyas during
lotted twenty overs. For Kane “We never put a number on Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant a virtual press conference.
Williamson’s side, Abdul Sa- him, on how many games he back playing together. In the match against SRH,
mad top-scored with a knock of will get. In the practice games, Shreyas and Pant played un- Kagiso Rabada and Anrich
28 runs. he has gone out to play this way. beaten knocks of 47 and 35 runs Nortje took five wickets among
Baz backs him to the hilt. Just a respectively as Delhi Capitals themselves as SunRisers was re-
KKr now getting second game for him but played chased down the target of 135 stricted to 134/9 in the allotted
into mcCullum’s style, with full confidence,” he added. with eight wickets in hand and twenty overs. For Kane William-
With this win, KKR has risen 13 balls to spare. With this win,
says morgan to the fourth spot in the points the franchise rose to the top son’s side, Abdul Samad top-
scored with a knock of 28 runs.
After registering an emphat- table while Mumbai Indians has spot in the IPL standings with Delhi Capitals will next square
ic seven-wicket win over Mum- slipped to the sixth position. Be- 14 points. “Great to have these off against Rajasthan Royals on
bai Indians in the Indian Pre- fore entering this match, KKR two back together. Strong team Saturday.

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