Former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh has launched a scathing attack on Kolkata Knight Riders batters Mandeep Singh and Rinku Singh for the manner in which they gifted their wickets to Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium tonight.
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Handed another opportunity after warming the bench for three matches in a row, Mandeep departed after scoring 12 (11). Rinku, on the other hand, has played a couple of hard-hitting knocks this season but couldn’t make the most of an opportunity to bat for almost 12 overs on Thursday. As a result, went back to the pavilion after scoring 6 (7).
Facing Capitals vice-captain Axar Patel, a bowler known for his accurately immaculate line and length, the right-handed batter erred with respect to shot selection. Wanting to execute a ramp, Mandeep found himself in no position to make contact with the ball which ended up hitting the stumps.
As far as Rinku is concerned, even he lost his wicket to Patel in his attempt to sweep the left-arm spinner. Not looking to play an archetype slog, Rinku’s half-hearted attempt saw him hitting the ball straight to Lalit Yadav at deep square leg.
Yuvraj Singh Rebukes KKR Batters’ Approach vs Delhi Capitals
Yuvraj, 41, took to social media platform Twitter to rebuke the two middle-order batters’ approach. Not mincing his words, the southpaw explained how both Mandeep and Rinku should’ve looked to minimize risk and put together a partnership especially with all-rounder Andre Russell remaining to bat.
Considering how the two have played with each other over the years for Punjab in domestic cricket, Yuvraj condemning Mandeep’s lack of runs is understandable. A consistent performer across formats for Punjab, there is no hiding to the fact that Mandeep hasn’t done justice to his potential in the Indian Premier League despite playing almost 100 innings for different franchises in varying roles for over a decade now.
Kolkata Knight Riders bundled out for 127
Had it not been Russell (38*) hitting three sixes in Mukesh Kumar’s last over, KKR wouldn’t have touched the 120-run mark in their first match in the national capital in almost four years. Asked to bat first by DC captain David Warner, the visitors put on board 127 in 20 overs in the first innings.
