‘Knock of the highest standard…’: New Zealand great showers praise on Nitish Rana

New Zealand batting great Kane Williamson lavished praise on Nitish Rana, calling his 36-ball 81 an “incredible knock of the highest standard” and also credited Rajasthan Royals’ (RR) fielding for their six-run win over Chennai Super Kings (CSK).

“Nitish is an excellent player of spin, but he got his innings started against the seam, using the pace well,” Williamson, who has played for Sunrisers Hyderabad and Gujarat Titans in the past, said on JioHotstar.

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“He accessed the areas behind square nicely and perhaps came in at No. 3 due to the left-hand, right-hand combination. It was an incredible knock of the highest standard, and I think that’s key for him moving forward in this tournament,” Williamson added.

“Rajasthan Royals have several other talented batters, but today, Nitish was the match-winner. That said, in a game like this—on a surface where the margins are so fine. I believe Rajasthan Royals’ fielding is what truly got them across the line,” Williamson further added.

Nitish, coming to bat at number 3, produced a match-winning performance as RR posted 182 for nine and then restricted CSK to 176/6 to open their account this season.

With CSK needing 39 off 12 balls, MS Dhoni (16), cheered by the crowd, hit a boundary over short third and a towering six over long-on off a profligate Tushar Deshpande, but he couldn’t finish the job.

“The fact that Chennai Super Kings were playing an away match, yet the entire crowd was dressed in yellow, was just incredible. We’ve seen this so many times before. I felt like it was written in the stars for MS to come in and smash 20 runs in an over to finish things off—he’s done it so often. But it was a tough ask, needing 40 off the last two overs,” Williamson said.

“Still, it was special to see him walk out. I can only imagine how intimidating it must be for any opposition trying to defend a total when he’s at the crease,” Williamson added.