After a below-par performance against Mumbai Indians in their opener, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have bounced back with a superb win and defeated 2016 Champions Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) by 7 wickets in Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Zayed Stadium.
Dinesh Karthik, the KKR captain was all smiles after the win during the presentation ceremony. Expressing his delight, Karthik said that it was “always good to get on board”. Dinesh Karthik parised the KKR all-rounders, saying that it gives him the “privelege” to use them whenever required.
Talking about Shubman Gill – the star of the match, who smashes an unbeaten 70 off 62 balls, an emotional Karthik said that he wants to “make sure” that the 21-year-old plays without any pressure and plays freely throughout. Karthik also talked about Kamlesh Nagarkoti, the KKR debutant from the match. The young pacer would have played long back for KKR but a series of injuries had barred him from that opportunity in the previous edition.Notably, Nagarkoti was bought by KKR in the IPL 2018 editon itslelf.
Karthik said that the team have had an emotional journey with Nagarkoti for last copuple of years. Talking about his own duck in the match, Karthik said that a single duck doesn’t make a player bad.
“Always good to get on board. We have been working really hard. I think one of the advantages of having all-rounders and it is a privilege to use them whenever I can.
“The fact that we have been able to groom the youngsters is pleasing. It has been an emotional journey for us with Nagarkoti for the last couple of years. But credit to the management to have stuck to him.
“It feels good to see the youngsters doing well. I want Gill to enjoy his journey in cricket. One duck doesn’t make you a bad player. I need to probably up my game and get a few runs,” Dinesh Karthik told Harsha Bhogle.
