Indian Premier League: Gambhir is our best batsman, says Dahiya
Kolkata’s assistant coach hails captain’s inclusion in playing eleven.
Kolkata have something to cherish as their captain Gautam Gambhir played a stable knock of 45 after a dire run, despite his team’s loss to Rajasthan Royals. PHOTO: BCCI
Kolkata Knight Rider’s assistant coach Vijay Dahiya believes that Gautam Gambhir’s place in the team was never in doubt after he played a 44-ball 45 against Rajasthan Royals in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.
Gambhir, who aggregated one run in his first four games of this season’s Indian Premier League, reclaimed his form, though his team lost the match on boundaries after a double tie; firstly in the allotted overs and then in the Super Over.
“If you ask me, Gautam is our best batsman,” said Dahiya, according to ESPNcricinfo.
“There are no two ways about it that if your best batsman is not in form, it is a problem for the team. But it will be a different team when he starts scoring runs at the top. There is not a single talk about his place in the side.
“Let’s not forget that he is not only one of our batsmen but also our leader. He has led the team very well and we need him in the mix.”
The match’s main highlight was not some big hitting batsman or a strikingly accurate bowler, but the decision to announce the winner on boundaries.
Rajasthan, opting to bat first, scored 152 runs for the loss of five wickets in their allotted 20 overs.
When Kolkata came in to chase, they seemed to be easing towards the target, but then man-of-the-match James Faulkner walked in and sent three batsmen back to the pavilion within a span of five balls in the 19th over.
The tables were turned and Kolkata could only manage to draw courtesy Shakib al Hassan.
In the nail-biting Super Over, Kolkata posted 12 runs on the boards. But with only three required of the last ball, Rajasthan’s Steven Smith nudged the ball towards extra cover for two runs and levelled the score, getting a precious win for Rajasthan on the basis of a greater number of boundaries scored in the match.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 1st, 2014.