On Monday, it was a magnificent return for Kolkata Knight Riders ex- skipper Gautam Gambhir when Delhi Daredevils took on KKR at the Eden Gardens. But it was not to be as Kolkata steamrolled Delhi in front of a packed Eden crowd. But Gambhir said that the team tried its best to get over the line against KKR.
"We have to give it to KKR, they played really well. One stage we thought they couldn't get 170-175 but then getting to 200 was a good effort by them. We knew it was going to be a stiff chase as they have three quality spinners. I thought we tried our level best but we couldn't execute the plans well. Someone like Russell when he starts to take on the bowlers it's difficult to contain him. We even tried bowling from round the wicket. We had different plans but it was difficult to execute the plans. Lot of balls we bowled into his radar. It's important for us to win the games at home, there are about 5 of them we're playing at home. The next game is important for us if we can take a win. If we get a win in Bangalore the confidence will be better. We still have 10 games left and a lot of hard work to do," Gambhir said.
The Phenomenal all-rounder Andre Russell and Nitish Rana starred with the bat before Kolkata’s spin pair of Kuldeep Yadav-Sunil Narine strangulated the Delhi batsmen as Kolkata Knight Riders registered first comprehensive 71-run victory over the Delhi Daredevils of the IPL 2018 season. Not only victory but also spoiled Gautam Gambhir’s return to the Eden Gardens. Chasing down 201 to win the game on Monday at Eden Garden, Delhi were never really in the game as they lost wickets early in the innings.