IPL 2019 | Did not expect match to reach Super Over, says Shreyas Iyer

The Delhi Capitals were well on track to chase down Kolkata Knight Riders' total of 185, as they were well ahead of the required run rate and even had wickets in hand. After Prithvi Shaw’s dismissal in the 19th over, it came down to twelve off nine balls, with Colin Ingram and Hanuma Vihari at the crease. Ingram struck a four in the next ball to make it easier for the Capitals, but eventually Kuldeep Yadav went on to defend the six runs which were required in the final over, resulting in a Super Over

“Definitely a long day at the office. We didn’t expect it to go that deep, expected us to finish it with an over to spare,” said skipper Shreyas Iyer at the post match presentation, reported PTI.

“Credit must go to Kuldeep Yadav for that over (last over)”, he added.

The Shreyas Iyer led team could only manage ten in their super over, and the mantle was on Kagiso Rabada to defend that total. 11 runs in one over looked very easy for KKR with Andre Russell and Dinesh Karthik at the crease. Nevertheless, Rabada’s fiery and accurate yorkers in the first four deliveries, followed by two low full tosses sealed the deal for his team.

“Kagiso and I had a chat before the super over and he told me that he would go for yorkers all through, first, second, third, every ball. It takes some special skill to execute that,” shared Iyer.

The two time champions were pinned down to just 61/5  in the tenth over, when Andre Russell and Karthik came to their rescue. The big hitting all rounder smashed six sixes and four boundaries to score 62 off 28.

“You can’t control Andre Russell when he gets going. Even his mistimes go for sixes and even the bowlers find it tough to plan against him when things just don’t go to plan,” the 24 year old said.

Last but not the least, the skipper spoke about his innings, where at one point of time, he had only scored 7 runs off 15 deliveries, but changed gears quickly to reach 43 off 32.

“I am really happy with myself as well because I refused to let the pressure come onto me after a few dots,” he signed off.

The KKR skipper also credited both teams for their fight, in a match that was a roller coaster ride. KKR were put down at multiple points in the game, but managed to bounce back time and again, but eventually, the opponents got the better of them.

“I think it was a great game, both teams fought pretty well. It went to the Super over and they came out on top,” stated Dinesh Karthik.

The 23 year old pacer Prasidh Krishna, who had come in as an injury replacement, had scalped ten wickets in seven matches. The young Karnataka pacer has handled pressure very well, and is the skipper’s go to choice for death bowling.

“I think Prasidh (who bowled the Super Over) has been bowling consistently for us at the death, it was a straight forward decision to make. And I think he bowled really well. He has been bowling the tough overs, so we need to back him. It was a topsy-turvy kinda game,” concluded the 33 year old.