KKR started off slowly but accelerated with initially with great hitting from Utappa and Lynn, the followed by some clean hitting by Nitish Rana and Andre Russell. Shami proved very expensive after the dropped catch of Andre Russell by JJ Roy, Shami was smashed all around the ground by Andre Russell and Nitish Rana. It was KKR batsmen day again with Russell finding sixes easily hitting DD bowlers mercilessly. Trent boult was excellent in bowling for DD siding giving away only 29 runs, he started off with an maiden over setting an attacking tempo but Utappa and Lynn counter attacked with some great shots, DD captain mentioned at the end that the bowlers did not perform well today and could’t execute the plans they had for each batsmen.
KKR posted a big total 200 with the top order contributing tremendously, Nitish Rana scoring 59 off 35 balls. DD panicked after losing JJ Roy in the first over, they never recovered even though some great hitting by Pant and Maxwell ensured that asking rate was well below 11 runs per over, wickets falling and regular intervals hurt their chase. It was all over in 14.2 overs. DD middle order batsmen did not value their wickets and made it seem like they were opening batsmen trying to hit every ball.
DD batsmen need to learn to build partnerships and value their wickets, bowlers need to learn to bowl the right lengths, not give enough whip, mixing up with slow deliveries. Ricky pointing needs to try a different bowling combination. It is time for DD to win this IPL, your comments?
