Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) captain Eoin Morgan regretted his decision to elect to bat first after winning the toss in the 39th game of the ongoing IPL 2020, saying he should have chosen to bowl first at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) on Wednesday (October 21).
However, Morgan admitted that RCB bowled well but felt KKR batsmen should have countered the bowling attack as the two-time champions could manage only 84/8 runs in the 20 overs – which Bangalore chased down in the 14th over with eight wickets in hand on Wednesday in Abu Dhabi.
KKR had the worst start possible, losing three wickets with just three runs on the board and skipper Morgan was left with a big responsibility to help his team gain a respectable total, but he didn’t find any support from the other end as Dinesh Karthik (4) and Pat Cummins (4) also disappointed and the franchise eventually restricted to 84/8 in their 20 overs.
Morgan told the host broadcaster Star Sports after the match: “I think it started with batting. Being four or five down as early as we were is disappointing. RCB bowled well, but we should have countered that better. and with that dew, we probably should have bowled first.”
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KKR were without the services of the West Indies duo of Andre Russell and Sunil Narine and Morgan said the duo’s absence had an effect on the team during their disastrous outing against RCB.
However, the KKR skipper was hopeful that Russell and Narine will be fit and available for selection for their next IPL 13 clash against Delhi Capitals on October 24.
He signed off by saying, “We have been consistent with our selections of the top three, we believe they are the ones to take us forward. They have shown potential. So, it was important to back the Indian batsmen. Hopefully, Russell and Narine will be fit and available around the corner. Two guys of that caliber, particularly when they are allrounders, is a big hole, things will be different. Hopefully, they will be available down the line.”
(With ANI Inputs)
