The third match of IPL 2021 will be played between Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad at 7:30 pm today at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Prior to this match, KKR captain Eoin Morgan defended under fire all-rounder Sunil Narine and called him a very important player for the team.
In IPL 2020, Sunil Narine has given KKR plenty of moments to cherish with his batting and bowling in the earlier stage of the tournament, but the West Indies player did not do well in the later stage of the tournament and was also called for his suspect bowling action.
For IPL 2021, Kolkata Knight Riders have found a good 'back-up' player for Narine as Bangladesh's star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan will play for them this season. But the captain of KKR, Morgan, thinks differently and he said that Shakib and Sunil are no different.
“In big moments of the game, particularly last year, you would throw Sunil the ball or you would get him in with the bat because he has been in that situation over and over again.
“He believes in himself and in the team to go and get through and win that situation,” Eoin Morgan said ahead of Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Kolkata Knight Riders match.
If we talk about last season, Kolkata defeated Sunrisers in their first match. However, even after this, KKR could not succeed in reaching the playoffs. Sunrisers Hyderabad and Royal Challengers Bangalore reached the playoffs due to their net run-rate.
If we talk about the matches between the two teams so far, then Kolkata has an upper hand. Out of 19 matches so far, Kolkata have won 12 and Hyderabad have won just 7.