Former South African Fast bowler Dale Steyn believes that Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) luck, “bad decisions” and the weak form of some senior cricketers will get up with them in the final. He described it with an enjoyable casino roulette analogy, assuming that even after 10 blacks in a row, “red’s going to hit” at some point.
KKR went past one of IPL 2021’s top sides, Delhi Capitals, in the final over of the 2nd Qualifier. Despite managing most of the game, KKR batsmen almost performed it into the hands of their opponents by dropping from 123-1 to 130-7 within 5-overs. It took a 6-from Rahul Tripathi under pressure to receive them over the line and set up an IPL 2012-reboot final against CSK.
While talking to ESPNcricinfo, Dale Steyn said:
“I kind of have always played numbers. It’s like going to a casino. If it lands on black 10 times in a row then at some point red’s going to hit. I just feel that at some point KKR’s luck is going to catch up to them. Bad decisions and lack of form of Morgan and DK that kind of stuff is going to catch up to them. It almost did tonight and it might happen at the worst time and that’s the final.”
Dale Steyn continued that CSK has looked the calmer side this season and is expected to be a bit too good for KKR in the final. He replied:
“CSK looks good, really calm. They look like they kind of have got going up in the right direction at the right time. Dhoni looked good the other night, he’s captained his team well. Their batters are looking good… I just think that KKR might come against a better team in the final.”
Moments immortalised by brilliant performances! 😍#KKRvDC in 📸#KKR #AmiKKR #KorboLorboJeetbo #আমিKKR #IPL2021 pic.twitter.com/6d3UctMaGq
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) October 14, 2021
KKR and CSK have gone against together 27 times in the IPL. CSK has won 17 of these games, including both in IPL 2021. But, KKR has a 100 percent chance to win the record in the IPL finals, winning the trophy in 2012 and 2014.
Understanding the panic set in KKR, I’m going with CSK as favorites: Sanjay Manjrekar
Last ball 6 & the BP feels! Well done KKR 👏
⏳Oct 15, 7:30PM 🥳#DCvsKKR #WhistlePodu
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) October 13, 2021
Discoursing in the same interaction, Sanjay Manjrekar also asked CSK the favorites to win their 4th IPL title. He revealed that while a likely flat wicket in Dubai would be out of the comfort zone for both sides, MS Dhoni’s side is more advanced than the “panicked” KKR unit. The former Indian batter described:
“Both teams would have preferred a slow turner because that’s where Chennai is very good at using Deepak Chahar and [DJ] Bravo and others and Kolkata also, in using the spinners. So this is slightly outside their comfort zone. This is a tough game to call. And as I said beginning, most teams are carrying one major tendency that can just come undone on the big night but looking at the way things are and at Dhoni, how he manages the limitations, I am going with CSK as favorites. And especially after watching the panic set in Kolkata’s run chase, you know, you start feeling doubtful about it.”
Manjrekar resolved by recommending Eoin Morgan and KKR coach Brendon McCullum to be a ‘little brave’ and practical while picking the team for the final. He said KKR should know the ‘deadwood’ cricketers and replace them with those who might be better outfitted to handle the pressure. He explained:
“Now, here is where I want Morgan and Brendon McCullum to get a little brave and identify the deadwood that’s there in the team, not just feel emotional about it and keep players in just because they have reached the finals. They have got to look at this win as a major defeat and find out the guys who can get exposed again on the big night and deal with that.”
Also read:- IPL 2021: “Got a bit angry previous match game, let the boys know about it” – Ricky Ponting