Suyash Sharma (Photo Source: BCCI/IPL)
Following their win over Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) coach and former India cricketer Chandrakant Pandit hailed debutant spinner Suyash Sharma’s performance. Suyash played a crucial role as KKR registered an 81-run win over RCB in the ninth match of the ongoing IPL on Thursday, April 6 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. He had a huge impact in his maiden IPL game, picking up wickets of Karn Sharma, Dinesh Karthik, and Anuj Rawat.
Suyash, according to Pandit, is very quick in the air which makes it difficult for batters to pick him. He also stated that the youngster had shown a fighting attitude during the game.
“We have seen him (Suyash) at trial matches. He is very quick in the air, and it’s very tough to pick him. It’s just the inexperience, but he showed a fighting attitude,” Pandit said.
The KKR coach then applauded the batters for showing the mentality to post a massive total. He said that KKR lost vital wickets early on, but they then set a 200-plus target, which was huge.
“It’s a good win. The boys have shown the character. Looking at the initial stage, having lost wickets, and coming back to get 200-plus. We just expected the pitch to help the spinners. But you require enough runs. Shardul and Rinku Singh (46 off 33) counter-attacked the opposition,” he added.
KKR beat RCB by 81 runs in Kolkata
Coming to the match, RCB won the toss and invited KKR to bat first. The Nitish Rana-led side finished with a total of 204 for seven, with opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz (57 off 44) and all-rounder Shardul Thakur (68 off 29) scoring half centuries. Rinku Singh too had an outstanding cameo, scoring 46 runs off 33 balls. David Willey and Karn Sharma each took two wickets for RCB, while Michael Bracewell, Mohammed Siraj, and Harshal Patel took one each.
The chase began well for RCB, with Virat Kohli and skipper Faf Du Plessis quickly settling in to lay the base. However, Sunil Narine dismissed Kohli (21) when RCB attempted to accelerate further. Chakravarty joined Narine and soon sent back Du Plessis (23) before dismissing Harshal, Glenn Maxwell, and Akash Deep. Narine also dismissed Shahbaz Ahmed, while Suyash grabbed a three-wicket haul, and Shardul Thakur picked one as the hosts bundled out RCB for 123 with 14 balls remaining.