Published: Apr 08, 2017, 09:10 AM (IST)
Edited: Apr 08, 2017, 09:10 AM (IST)
After losing by a big margin against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Gujarat Lions’ (GL) wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik felt that the team was not up to the mark in the second half. Asked to bat first, Suresh Raina-led side ended up making 183 for 4. While Raina top-scored with 68, it was Karthik’s late onslaught that helped his side reach the massive total. Kolkata, in reply, reached the target in 14.5 overs, courtesy Gautam Gambhir and Chris Lynn’s 184-run opening stand. Karthik stated that after the first half of the match everything went wrong for the home side. IPL 2017: KKR register record win, Raina goes past Kohli and other statistical highlights
Speaking in the post-match conference, Karthik said, “I think after the first half, everything went wrong in the second half. I don’t think, you know, we were up to the mark.” Karthik was quick to compliment Gambhir (76*) and Lynn’s (93*) partnership. “I think Gambhir and Lynn batted beautifully. Both of them batted exceptionally well. Some of the shots they played were mind-blogging.”
Karthik felt that Lions missed the services of Ravindra Jadeja and Dwayne Bravo who were their go-to bowlers in the last season. “Jadeja and Bravo are irreplaceable. I mean, they are quality cricketers. Obviously if they had been there, they would have made a difference,” he added.
Meanwhile, KKR batsman Surya Kumar Yadav in his press conference said that Gambhir backed Lynn as an opener since his arrival. “Our captain backed him in opening with him. It was the best thing. He [Gambhir] told him straight away he was going to open in the tournament.”
