Follow UsKolkata Knight Riders are back to winning ways after recording an emphatic 21-run win over Royals Challengers Bangalore at the Chinnaswamy Stadium on Wednesday, April 26.
The visiting side posted 200 for five in their quota of 20 overs, with Jason Roy smashing a brutal half-century. The run chase was always going to be a tough ask for the Royal Challengers with three mystery spinners in the opposition ranks.
While Sunil Narine leaked 41 runs in his four overs, Varun Chakaravarthy (3/27) and Suyash Sharma (2/30) weaved their magic in the middle overs to stifle the opposition and guide the team over the line.
In the post-match press conference, Chakaravarthy shared insights on the preparation of the team heading into this much-awaited clash. "We had our own plans, and we made sure we had separate meetings, especially to bowl on this ground because it is a very challenging ground."
"It worked out today, and that is how the game of cricket is: One day you go for 4/50, and another day you do well. It is a fresh game, and you have to be confident of every ball you bowl."
"I saw the videos of the previous matches I played against RCB and could see the technical aspect of their batters and the areas they are targeting," he further added.
Chakaravarthy also heaped praises on Kolkata's new spinner, Suyash and touted him to be the player for the future. "Sunil Narine is a legend, and the way he guides us is amazing. Suyash Sharma, who has come into the team, is the guy for the future. He is an amazing talent, and I hope he can fast-track his way to the national side," he said.
After a dismal last season, the leg spinner shed light on his training for the tournament and the reason behind his impressive turnaround. "I worked on my accuracy rather than working on different variations, and another aspect I was working on was the revolutions on the ball. More than all this, the tactics which Abhishek Nayar tells me always work well and has played a very good role in my comeback."
"I played the Syed Mushtaq Ali trophy, and in the latter stages of the Vijay Hazare Trophy and the Ranji Trophy, I travelled around India to play matches which helped me prepare for IPL," he concluded.
Kolkata Knight Riders now take on Gujarat Titans in an afternoon encounter on Saturday, April 29, at the Eden Gardens.