Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) registered a thumping 106-run victory over Delhi Capitals (DC) in a high-scoring encounter at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Vizag. Opener Sunil Narine was the star of the show for KKR, smashing a breath-taking 85 runs off just 39 deliveries. His knock laid the foundation for KKR’s imposing total of 272/7.
The match turned on a missed opportunity by DC captain Rishabh Pant. Early in Narine’s innings, he edged a delivery to Pant behind the stumps. However, Pant opted against reviewing the on-field umpire’s call of not out. Narine capitalized on this reprieve, taking DC’s bowling attack to the cleaners.
It was the first ball of the sixth over, bowled by Rasikh Salam Dar, when Narine poked at one. While there was some noise heard, the DC players weren’t confident enough for a quick appeal. Pant himself was hesitant at first, but then signaled for a (Decision Review System) DRS review. However, the 15-second timer to review the decision had already expired by the time Pant attempted to consult the third umpire.
After the match, Pant addressed the missed review, stating that the loud atmosphere at the stadium and an issue with the giant screen displaying the DRS timer influenced his decision. “It was quite loud and I couldn’t see the timer on the screen,” Pant explained. He further added, “There are some things you can control and some you cannot control, you just need to go with the flow.“
Pant’s 25-ball 55 goes in vain
While the story certainly belongs to KKR’s dominant win, Rishabh Pant did provide a bright spot for DC with his batting. Despite the loss, Pant continued his impressive form with the bat, slamming a quickfire 25-ball 55. This knock marked his second consecutive fifty in IPL 2024 after the southpaw hammered 51 runs against the defending champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK).
After a horrific car accident sidelined him for over a year, fans were eagerly awaiting Rishabh Pant’s return to form. His recent form suggest that the wait might be over. Pant’s knock against KKR showcased the same aggressive flair that has made him a household name in Indian cricket.
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