Kolkata Knight Riders won the match against Mumbai Indians on Monday (May 9) keeping KKR alive and kicking in the IPL 2022. However, KKR’s victory causes a ruckus inviting criticism, from the former India captain and coach Ravi Shastri.
The inclusion of Pat Cummins whose superb match-winning performance against Mumbai led Shastri and cricket fans all over to criticize KKR skipper Shreyas Iyer and head coach Brendon McCullum’s decision on benching the Auzzie test captain in previous matches.
Ravi Shastri Critical About KKR Management
After the Australian tour to Pakistan, Cummins joined the Kolkata-based franchise. He made a lasting impression on the management and fans against Mumbai Indians not only did he manage to scalp 2 for 49 and then went on to bat an unbeaten 56, the quickest fifty in the IPL 2022, guiding KKR to a stunning win.
However, after that effort, Cummins struggled to hold on to his own in the IPL 2022 as his form dropped significantly. The bowler went through a rough patch for a while bowling with 0/51 against Delhi Capitals, 1/40 against Sunrisers Hyderabad, and 1/50 against Rajasthan Royals without making any significant contributions to in batting department. Which led to Cummins getting benched for the next few matches before coming back for the match against Mumbai.
He again led an outstanding excursion against the five-time champions, taking three wickets and conceding merely 22 runs. It’s after this comeback Shastri expressed his surprise over the omission of Cummins.
Ravi Shastri said, “Pata nahi kya kar rahe the Pat ko bench pe baitha ok. Bench garam kar raha tha woh. World ka no 1 bowler hai, Australia ka kaptaan hai, kya kar rahe ho usko bench pe bitha ke? “
( Fortunately that they played Cummins today. I don’t know what he has been doing warming the benches all this time. After all, He is the Australia captain, a world-class bowler, and here KKR had benched him,” said Shastri criticizing KKR captain Shreyas Iyer and coach McCullum.)
The fans resonated with Ravi Shastri’s words. The fans were more enraged when Shreyas Iyer voiced how involved the KKR CEO Venky Mysore is during the team selection.
“It’s really difficult (making changes to the playing 11 and informing the players). I was also in that position once when I started playing IPL. We discuss with the coaches, CEO is also involved in team selection, Bas goes to the players and tells them if they’re not playing. All of them are very supportive of the decision-making,” said Shreyas Iyer in the post-match presentation ceremony.
“The way they turn up to the ground, each and every individual in the playing XI, it’s something to be proud of as a captain. The way we played with high spirits and a good vibe, I’m proud of it. The win was comprehensive. The players were charged up to win the game.
“The previous games have not been great for us. It plays on your mind when you’re on the losing side. I’m not satisfied but I want to keep up with the same momentum to come back strong in the other games,” added Shreyas.
Some KKR fans were shocked to learn, How hands-on an administrative official can be especially while deciding the team selection for a match, even if CEO has the power to run the franchise they believe he shouldn’t be interfering and leave these decisions to the capable hands of the captain and coach.
Currently, KKR stands at the 7th position on the points table with 10 points from 12 matches and they certainly need to win the remaining two games and reach 14 points to maintain the slim chance to qualify for the playoffs. Kolkata will next face Sunrisers Hyderabad who currently stands at 6th place on the table in a crucial match on Saturday (May 14).
Read More:
“Got My Lucky Charm For Tomorrow” – LSG’s Krunal Pandya Shares Picture Ahead Of Titans’ Tie
MAC vs CCP Dream11 Prediction Match 10 Team By Expert St Lucia T10 Blast, May 10, 2022
