It seems a long time now since Andre Russell had everyone in a fit and Kolkata Knight Riders were touted as potential IPL 2019 champions.
Image credit: AFP
On Thursday, Russell managed a run-a-ball 14 (!). Kolkata lost their sixth straight match. One more will mean they will have no mathematical possibility of making the play-offs.
Rajasthan, meanwhile, kept their playoff hopes alive, although their task now gets significantly harder with their English contingent – including Ben Stokes, Jofra Archer and Jos Buttler, who left the team a few days earlier – having played their last matches of the tournament.
What’s hot
Ben Stokes. The all-rounder ended his IPL 2019 campaign on Thursday, with a limp 10-ball 11. He wasn’t bowled at all on a green surface. He ended with just 123 runs in nine innings, and 6 wickets in 16.5 overs – he conceded 189 runs and his economy rate was a poor 11.22. For someone whom Rajasthan forked out £1.4m on last year, that’s not great returns.
There was little of Stokes’ blazing form from his first year in IPL – for Rising Pune Supergiants – he had scored 316 runs and claimed 12 wickets in 2017, in just 12 matches. Last year, there were just eight wickets and 196 runs. In keeping with the downward slope, this year has been even worse, and England will hope the form doesn’t trickle into the World Cup.
Next year, Stokes will need to return to his best – the IPL bunch aren’t too patient, usually.
What they said
DK is our key performer for the @KKRiders innings for his fantabulous knock of 97* ??#VIVOIPL pic.twitter.com/tb5nWvBJ5t
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 25, 2019
“We’re trying to keep everybody in good space, making sure the dressing room is good, and they all trust in their leader.”
– Dinesh Karthik, speaking like a true captain of a sinking ship.
What they didn’t say
A tough defeat in a game that went down to the wire. #KKRvRR #VIVOIPL #KKRHaiTaiyaar pic.twitter.com/BXkjAiXCon
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) April 25, 2019
“Stop it! There’s nothing wrong with my captaincy. Don’t you guys have anything better to do? Go watch Endgame.”
– Dinesh Karthik is sweating buckets over his position after six straight losses.
What’s next
The clash of the juggernauts. Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians come together in a match that the latter will be more desperate to win.
