It was a jolt for the Knight Riders in this must-win affair. The numbers on the board were fine; it was the timing of Raghuvanshi's exit that had them concerned as they set about their 148-run chase.
What happened in the 14th over
The problem made itself known while KKR had things well in hand with the ball. Raghuvanshi, who was behind the stumps, put his finger out in the 14th over from Kartik Tyagi. He was in no mood to stay and left with the physio. Tejasvi Dahiya was in to keep, and the ripples of that would be felt in the second innings.
Raghuvanshi is the lynchpin of KKR’s batting this year. Put him in the XI and he has 422 runs in 12 games, five fifties to his name, and a strike rate of 146. You can’t just replace that kind of output.
Massive selection headache for KKR
When he was made to sit out the run-chase, the issue was compounded. Ramandeep Singh came in as a concussion sub, and you are now without a proven run-maker in a game where you need to manage as much as you hit.
KKR’s dominant start, then an untimely pause
KKR had made the right call to field. They came out hard and put four MI batters in the stands in the powerplay, nipping any momentum in the bud. A bit of rain after eight overs put a pause on it, but even when play resumed, MI were still in the 90s come the 15th over. Corbin Bosch made 32 for a side that finished 147/8 – a score that, up until the injury, didn’t seem like an ask.
Here are the confirmed developments from the game so far:
– Finger injury forced Raghuvanshi off the field
– Tejasvi Dahiya kept as the substitute wicket-keeper
– Ramandeep Singh named as concussion substitute
– MI posted 147/8, target set at 148
Chase set at 148, but plans reshuffled
On paper, 148 is a number for the taking on a wicket like this. But you have to make do with what you have. Dahiya is in the gloves, Ramandeep is there to bat, and KKR has to make it work.
The moment of truth was in Tyagi’s 14th. Raghuvanshi took a hit to the finger, you could see it hurt, and he was gone. Dahiya put on the gloves and life went on, but the real story was how to handle the target.
Why it matters tonight
There is no room for error. Lose to Mumbai and it’s over. They are eighth with 11 points, 5-6 from 12. Mumbai, for their part, have already been written off – 9th with 8 points, 4-8 from 12. Hardik Pandya and his men are here for a walk in the park, which only makes it more important for KKR to get the job done.
They put on a show with the new ball. Now, with Raghuvanshi out of the picture, it is a matter of nerve. They will have to figure out who is going to close out the chase when it counts.
