Fell short by 10-15 runs; could have bowled better: Karthik

Kolkata Knight Riders skipper Dinesh Karthik rued that his side fell short by 10-20 runs and also failed to bowl well after they slumped to a seven-wicket loss to Delhi Capitals in an IPL match here.KKR faced their second successive defeat against Delhi Capitals despite Andre Russell’s explosive innings of 21-ball 45 here on Friday night. Delhi did well to remove the Windies powerhitter in the penultimate over and KKR set a 179-run target.”We knew that we needed to get a big total but we ended up getting probably 10-15 runs short. Eden has been one place where the wicket is so true and the outfield being so fast, the boundaries come easily. So here you have to get a score which is about 5-10 runs more than par on other grounds,” Karthik said at the post-match news conference.Karthik also blamed his bowlers, saying they could have done a bit better in the absence of Sunil Narine, who was down with a hamstring issue.”We were definitely not a bowler short for sure. We had more options like Carlos (Brathwaite). We were a few runs short and could have bowled a little better. I expected our bowlers to perform better but that did not turn out to be. Such things happen in a game of cricket.” Karthik said Narine’s absence made a huge difference.”Sunil brings in a bit of batting and bowling. Most of all, he’s experienced with a cool head that always helps. It really makes a difference. Narine has been someone who’s given us a good start whenever he’s got an opportunity.”
In Narine’s absence, Shubman Gill was promoted to open the innings and the 19-year-old talented youngster responded with a 39-ball 65.”Today Shubman used the opportunity and done really well. It shows his class as player. He’s able to stay calm under pressure situations, which is a very unique skill to have. He has delivered for us over and over again.” Gill has been used as a floater this season with the youngster seen batting at No 6 against Chennai Super Kings.”He realises that whenever there’s an opportunity he will be send up the order, if not, he’s pretty okay batting at No 6-7 and finishing of games whenever he gets the opportunity. I think we’ve been very straightforward with him and he appreciates that.”