Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) mentor David Hussey wasn’t pleased with the team's performance in the ongoing IPL 2020, saying they put themselves in this undesirable position after his team’s 6-wicket defeat against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) that has made the playoffs road tougher for the KKR.
Hussey also believes that KKR should have defended their total of 172 against CSK after they succumbed to their seventh defeat of the ongoing 13th season on Thursday – which meant the two-time champions’ chances of making it to the IPL 2020 playoffs have become more bleak.
However, the KKR mentor said the franchise “is still breathing” in the ongoing tournament and he is still optimistic about his team’s chances to reach the IPL 13 playoffs despite knowing the fact that the fifth-ranked Riders not only have to win their last league stage game against RR but also needs other favorable results to make it to top four.
Hussey said during the post-match press conference, “We have put ourselves in this position by losing games. But we are still breathing in the competition. The next game is against Rajasthan.”
He further stressed following the big loss to CSK, “In a few days' time, we are going to recharge our batteries and come out and play free-flowing cricket. You never know what could happen, results go our way and we can shock few teams in the playoffs.”
The KKR mentor said every defeat is disappointing but admitted CSK played well in all three departments on Thursday and deserved to win the game.
Hussey further said, “Every defeat is difficult. But full credit to Chennai, they deserved the win. They bowled and fielded well and then they chased the total. I thought 175 was par... full credit to Chennai. Their second-wicket partnership batsmen Rayudu and the youngster from Maharashtra (Gaikwad) was sublime and went a long way in winning the game for Chennai.”
He also lauded Nitish Rana for his performance (87) that helped KKR to post 172 on the board against CSK. Hussey signed off by saying, “Yeah...Rana. He has had a very good tournament. A very consistent tournament. In the last few innings, he has been a consistent player for KKR.”
(With ANI Inputs)
