Former India wicketkeeper-batter Deep Dasgupta praised Manish Pandey for his composed 45-run innings that guided Kolkata Knight Riders to a crucial four-wicket win over Mumbai Indians at Eden Gardens. Pandey, batting for the first time this season, played a crucial role in KKR’s successful chase of 148 runs in 18.5 overs on a challenging pitch. Dasgupta lauded Pandey’s calmness and ability to handle pressure during the low-scoring match.
Dasgupta highlighted Pandey’s versatility and experience, emphasizing his effectiveness in different batting positions. He commended Pandey’s positive intent, calculated risks, and bravery in crucial moments of the game. The partnership between Pandey and Rovman Powell was crucial for KKR, especially after the team faced early setbacks in the chase.
The former cricketer stressed the importance of experienced players like Pandey justifying the trust placed in them by their franchises. Dasgupta underlined the significance of Pandey’s impactful performance against Mumbai Indians, stating that repaying the team’s faith is essential for players with extensive IPL experience. Despite Mumbai Indians’ early breakthroughs, Dasgupta felt they fell short by 25-30 runs on a challenging batting surface.
KKR successfully completed the chase with four wickets in hand, with Rinku Singh hitting the winning boundary to keep Kolkata’s playoff hopes alive.
