The Eoin Morgan-led Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) kept their calm and came out on top of the thrilling Qualifier 2 against the table-toppers Delhi Capitals (DC) to confirm their place in the final of IPL 2021 against Chennai Super Kings (CSK).

Even though KKR were off to a great start while chasing a small total of 136 runs, DC bowlers brought their team back into the match by picking some quick wickets. But as KKR needed 6 off 2, Rahul Tripathi smashed R Ashwin for a six taking his team over the line.

The former India cricketer Sunil Gavaskar analyzed Ashwin’s last over and pointed out the mistake the veteran off-spinner made which cost DC the game.

IPL 2021: I knew that I had to just connect one- KKR's Rahul Tripathi his match-winning shot v DC

“He (Ashwin) is a very clever bowler. He knew exactly what to bowl to which batsmen. He was reading the batsman's mind. He knew Sunil Narine was going to come up and just go hard at everything, so he bowled him just a little bit wider, and he was caught by the fielder at long-on,” Gavaskar told Star Sports after the game.

“On the final ball, he just miscalculated. He thought Tripathi was going to run down the pitch, and he did not. He bowled a little bit flatter, so it will not be in the arc, in case he rushes down the pitch. But what Tripathi did what he also anticipated, and he hit a great shot, and a great way to finish,” he added.

KKR opening batters Shubman Gill (46) and Venkatesh Iyer (55) made the chase look too easy but as Dinesh Karthik, skipper Eoin Morgan, Shakib Al Hasan, and Sunil Narine were dismissed without troubling the scorers, it looked quite difficult for the Kolkata-based franchise.

“But KKR have only themselves to blame for the position they got themselves in. They should have won it comfortably with 10 balls to spare,” the Mumbai-based Sunil Gavaskar concluded.

(With Star Sports Inputs)