IPL 2018, KKR vs DD: 5 Talking Points

Two teams searching for the right combination, two teams unaware of who their four overseas players are. Kolkata Knight Riders took on Delhi Daredevils at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata. Both teams have one of the three games they have played so far.It’s an emotional homecoming for Gautam Gambhir as he has captained the KKR franchise for 6 years until 2017, winning two IPL titles for his side. He is someone who is loved by Kolkata and Bengalis in general for what he’s been able to achieve while he was playing for KKR.KKR under Dinesh Karthik have lacked intent and look a little clueless as a unit. Karthik’s resource management skills can be questioned. The way he has handled Vinay Kumar in the first two games, the strange decision to play Sunil Narine at the number 4 slot and playing the youngster Shubman Gill at the number seven position.The only way he can put all doubts to rest is if the team rallies around him and plays to its potential. They have the boisterous Kolkata crowds to propel them to deliver a strong performance. They are up against a team on a resurgence after losing the first two games of their season. Their team effort in chasing down a huge total against MI would have galvanised their team.With Gautam Gambhir back to his former home ground as the opposition captain in this clash between KKR and DD, there was lots to look forward to. Did KKR use the home advantage and get back to form?KKR certainly delivered big time, with a convincing and thumping performance where they trashed DD by 71 runs to put away all the criticism hurled at them to rest.Here are 5 talking points from the KKR vs DD game played at the Eden Gardens#1 Gautam Gambhir’s mixed day as a captainA lot was expected from Gautam Gambhir in tonight’s game against his former team. Everyone was sure he was aware of what captaincy moves to make here as he knows the conditions and the turf very well.But unfortunately for DD’s fans, things didn’t go according to plan right from the start. Just as DD were getting into the game with a couple of quick wickets after Robin Uthappa’s quick cameo, Gambhir bowled out Shabaaz Nadeem within the 10th over of the innings when he is known to be good in the death overs.Also, he gave Mohammad Shami the ball after the tenth over and although the speedster was good in his first two overs, he was terrible in his last few overs. It was strange that Gambhir allowed Shami to complete his quota of four overs.One more instance of tonight not being Gambhir’s night as a captain was how he kept Rahul Tewatia till the end where the spinner got three wickets and conceded only one run in the 20th over of the innings. But the damage had been done before that as KKR had posted a huge score.Probably the emotions of coming back to the Eden Gardens got to him as he was not his usual self as a captain on the day.

IPL 2018, KKR vs DD: 5 Talking Points

#3 Andre Russell’s astonishing hitting demolishes DD