Tim Southee capped off a stunning bowling play from Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) against Punjab Kings (PBKS) with a spectacular running catch.
PBKS fast bowler and No. 10 batter Kagiso Rabada, who performed a crucial cameo of 25 runs off 16 balls, tried to power through a slow and wide great distance ball by Andre Russell. The South African got it off the toe end of the bat and managed to rotate in his hand, sending the ball miles up in the air and straight behind the bowler’s head.
Ajinkya Rahane ran in from long-on, but 33-year-old Southee beat him to it, covering a long-to-long-off with superb accuracy. Once he got there, he took a major step, leaned forward in front of Rahane, and grabbed it with both hands, falling down in the technique.
This was Southee’s umpteenth contribution in the match. Earlier, he took the crucial wickets of PBKS opener Shikhar Dhawan and finisher Shahrukh Khan.
The former perished on the Kiwi pacer’s special 3-quarter seam-up ball, which moved away from his tried cover drive to take the edge. Khan tried to take the fast bowler on with a pull-shot but could only get it as much as Nitish Rana at mid-wicket.
He took another superb catch when Umesh Yadav got the dangerous Liam Livingstone to mistime a heave likewise long-on. Even with his feet just inches away from the boundary, he stayed calm and grabbed it over his head.
”With these knocks coming in, KKR scouted me, and they picked me in the auction.”- Venkatesh Iyer describes his unbelievable KKR story.
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) cricketer Venkatesh Iyer has recalled going unsold two times at the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 auction before ultimately being picked in the final round.
Iyer was one of the chief makers of KKR’s turnaround in IPL 2021, smashing 370 runs in 10 games at a strike rate of 128.47, constructing his debut in the UAE leg. The Kolkata franchise was pining in the lower half of the points after the initial leg, but a stunning revival finished in them, ending up as runners-up.
Interaction on the chat shows Backstage with Boria, and the batting all-rounder exposed that having a good Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy campaign brought him some limelight. He, despite that, admitted that it was a nerve-breaking auction for him. The 27-year-old describes:
“Huge thanks to KKR. Had it not been for KKR, I wouldn’t have been anywhere. I had a decent Mushtaq Ali last year – a few good scores and one particular inning where I finished the game for my side. With these knocks coming in, KKR scouted me, and then they picked me in the auction. It was down to the wire in the auction, and I was unsold twice and then picked by KKR in the final round.”
Enjoyed speaking to @venkateshiyer Love his attitude. Wants to matches for India and isn't satisfied with just being there. That's what matters. @KKRiders YT link https://t.co/8p4DgbZckR Congrats to him on 50 over selection and wish you all a safe and healthy 2022. pic.twitter.com/8308liOBRE
— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) January 1, 2022
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