IPL 2017: Kept changing length and pace to keep batsmen guessing, says Mohit Sharma after Kings XI Punjab’s win over Kolkata Knight Riders

Mohit Sharma was awarded Man of the Match for taking 2 for 24 on a belter of a track.

Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) edged out Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) by 14 runs in match 49 of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2017. Mohit Sharma was awarded Man of the Match for taking 2 for 24 on a belter of a track. With the help of his knuckle as well as back-of-the-hand delivery, he kept the KKR batsmen at bay. With this win, the Kings XI kept their hopes for playoffs alive. However, if they lose either of the remaining two matches, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), Rising Pune Supergiant (RPS), and Knight Riders will qualify for the penultimate stage with Mumbai Indians who are at the top of IPL 2017 points table. FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) vs Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), IPL 10 Match 49

Mohit Sharma, after the match, said that he kept changing the line and pace of the ball to keep the batsmen guessing. “We used to digress from the plan if things did not go right. Before the match, we talked that we have to stick to plan A, and only when it does not work do we have to go to plan B. Woakes and Lynn and Yusuf can hit it big, so had to keep adjusting. There was very less margin of error in this game, because the batsman can stay back and use the change of pace. So, I was mixing my lengths and pace. Kept it back and bowled it a touch wide too to mix it up.”

Mohit also applauded leg-spinner Rahul Tewatia who ended with figures of 2 for 18. “We knew that spinners won’t be easy after seeing Narine spin the ball. Tewatia bowled well in his first game. We will try to focus on the process again, let’s see what happens,” Mohit said.