KOLKATA: Consecutive fifties in different batting positions ought to be a confidence-builder but Kolkata Knight Riders batsman Nitish Rana says he is occupied by the concern of maintaining his form that usually “fizzles” out early in the IPL.
As a makeshift opener in the absence of Sunil Narine, Rana struck a fine 68 in KKR’s first match against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Sunday.
Back at No.4 in their second match, Rana scored a 34-ball 63 against Kings XI Punjab on Wednesday to overtake Delhi Capitals’ Rishabh Pant (103 runs in two matches) in the early Orange Cap race.
“I haven’t thought too far ahead. But for the last couple of seasons, I start well but my form fizzles out towards the later half of the tournament,” Rana said after KKR’s 28-run win here on Wednesday night.
“So this time around, I want to work on this. I want to continue the kind of form I have started in till the end of the tournament.”
Rana did not have a good season with Delhi in the domestic circuit, managing just 147 runs form 10 matches in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 and 191 runs from six matches in the Ranji Trophy.
Disturbed by his poor form, the top order KKR batsman spent some time at the Mumbai-based KKR Academy speaking to Abhishek Nayar and Dinesh Karthik.
“I did not work on batting as such but I worked on the mental toughness. KKR academy was quite helpful in that sense because I got one-on-one time with Abhishek bhaiya and DK bhaiya. They helped me clear self doubts. Now, I feel, I’ve become a better player.”
Having impressed at different batting positions, Rana said, “That’s the sign of a good team. My plan was clear — to hit a loose ball and then, let DK (Dinesh Karthik) or (Andre) Russell take over for the last four-five overs.”
Four of his seven sixes came against India’s top off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin but Rana said the attack was not pre-planned.
“I was just trying to build my innings. I was taking it ball by ball at the start and then when I thought I could charge, I did that.
“It doesn’t matter for me who the bowler is. My game plan was simple. I thought that was the time to attack and I did. That was the plan for the two overs — of Ashiwn and South African pacer (Hardus Viljoen).”
Rana also hailed Andre Russell’s 17-ball 48 and said the lifeline, when the Jamaican survived owing to a no ball, gave them 20-25 runs extra.
“Having 218/4 definitely worked in our favour, how Russell got a lifeline and that probably gave us those 20-25 runs extra.
“But even if we had 180 or 200, we would have fought this hard. It wasn’t very easy (to chase) because the ball started seaming in the second innings.” (AGENCIES)
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US-COUNCILMAN-GUINNESS RECORDS
New York City councilman named as world’s tallest politician
NEW YORK, Mar 28:
A 6-foot-10 (208 centimeters) New York City councilman from Brooklyn has been named tallest politician in the world.
Robert Cornegy Jr. was honored for that distinction at a City Hall ceremony on Wednesday after being officially certified by Guinness World Records as world’s tallest male politician on January 14.
Cornegy says he went for the title two years ago after a constituent jokingly told him “you have to be the tallest politician ever.” Cornegy says being tall has its challenges, especially shopping for shoes and clothes.
The previous record holder was a British member of Parliament named Sir Louis Gluckstein, who measured 6-foot-7-1/2 inches (202 centimeters). He died in 1979 and was succeeded by another British politician who stood at 6-foot-6 inches (198 centimeters). (AGENCIES)
^^^
SPO-IPL-RR-PREVIEW
‘Mankading’-hit Rajasthan look to return
to winning ways against Sunrisers Hyderabad
HYDERABAD, Mar 28:
‘Mankaded’ in their opening match, Rajasthan Royals would look to resurrect their fortunes in Friday’s IPL clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad, who would also be aiming to put behind a disappointing first-day show.
Rajasthan’s campaign started on a controversial note when Jos Buttler became the first cricketer in the IPL to be ‘Mankaded’, the practice of running out non-strikers, who back up early, by bowlers on their delivery stride.
Chasing 185, Buttler (69) was going strong for Rajasthan when a desperate Kings XI Punjab skipper Ravichandran Ashwin ran him out via the contentious method to completely change the complexion of the game.
The incident raked up a storm but Rajasthan willhave to get over the episode to ensure that their campaign remains on track.
Buttler looked in great touch in their opener but he would look for more support from the likes of Ajinkya Rahane, Sanju Samson, Steve Smith and Ben Stokes in the batting department.
In particular Smith, who returned to the IPL after missing the last edition following the ball-tampering scandal, would be eyeing more time at the crease ahead of the upcoming ODI World Cup.
Dhawal Kulkarni and spinner Krishnappa Gowtham were brilliant upfront with the ball against Kings XI, but Stokes and Jaydev Unadkat leaked runs. Pacer Jofra Archer, who gave away just 17 runs in his four overs, looked threatening but wickets eluded him.
Just like Rajasthan, Sunrisers too didn’t have a dream start to their campaign, losing by six wickets to Kolkata Knight Riders.
While the David Warner-led Sunrisers’ batting looked solid, the death bowling performance spoiled their chances against KKR.
Warner, who is in imperious form after returning to competitive cricket following the one-year ban for ball-tampering, played true to his reputation, smashing 85 off 53 balls against KKR the other day.
And Sunrisers’ know their chances heavily depend on Warner’s success even though they also have the likes of skipper Kane Williamson, Jonny Bairstow, Vijay Shankar, Manish Pandey, Yusuf Pathan and Shakib Al Hasan in their ranks.
Sunrisers’ bowling unit, led by Bhuvneshwar Kumar, had a good outing for most part of the match on Sunday before the Andre Russell storm blew them away in the last three overs.
Needing 53 off the last three overs, Russell hammered Bhuvneshwar and Siddharth Kaul before Shakib was taken to the cleaners by young Shubman Gill in the final over as Sunrisers lost the plot.
And come Friday, Bhuvneshwar and the rest of the attack, which also includes Rashid Khan, will be eyeing a much-improved death bowling show.
Squads:
Sunrisers Hyderabad: Kane Willilamson (C), Manish Pandey, Martin Guptill, Ricky Bhui, David Warner, Deepak Hooda, Mohammad Nabi, Yusuf Pathan, Shakib Al Hasan, Abhishek Sharma, Vijay Shankar, Sreevats Gowsami, Jonny Bairstow, Wriddhiman Saha, Siddarth Kaul, Khaleel Ahmed, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Rashid Khan, Basil Thampi, Billy Stanlake, T Natarajan, Sandeep Sharma, Shahbaz Nadeem.
Rajasthan Royals: Ajinkya Rahane (C), Steve Smith, Ben Stokes, Jofra Archer, Jos Buttler, Ashton Turner, Ish Sodhi, Oshane Thomas, Liam Livingstone, Sanju Samson, Shubham Ranjane, Stuart Binny, Shreyas Gopal, Sudhesan Midhun, Jaydev Unadkat, Prashant Chopra, Mahipal Lomror, Aryaman Birla, Riyan Parag, Dhawal Kulkarni, Krishnappa Gowtham, Varun Aaron, Shashank Singh, Manan Vohra, Rahul Tripathi.
Match starts at 8. (AGENCIES)
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