IPL 2024 : Heartbreak for Shreyas Iyer as KKR Falls Short in Thriller Against RR

KKR captain Shreyas Iyer termed the East-Ball defeat against RR in a high-scoring IPL 2024 match as a bitter pill to swallow but hoped that his team would bounce back very soon. Rajasthan clawed back from the jaws of defeat against KKR as Jos Buttler helped his team chase down the joint-highest total in the tournament’s history. Jos Buttler’s brilliant knock saw RR beat KKR. Iyer, speaking to broadcasters in the post-match presentation, called the defeat a tough pill to swallow. The KKR skipper was also at a loss for words and found it difficult to explain the loss of KKR, who were cruising at one point. In a run-fest at the Eden Garden Stadium, Buttler became the ultimate hero as he did not save any bowlers. Although he slowed down in the middle overs, he scored 107 off 60 balls.

How Buttler played the game in RR’s favour
“Bitter pill to swallow, emotions were a roller-coaster. I didn’t think we’d be in this situation. It’s a funny game, (Rovman) was hitting well. It’s hard to explain what happened, you have to take it. On the chin and going forward, you have to see that you deliver your best, and you are sent off the ground and not later than half of the tournament,” Iyer said. The KKR captain termed Sunil Narine as a great asset to the franchise and said his team will reflect on the loss. Narine scored his first IPL century as he took KKR to 223 in total. The all-rounder gave his all as he also took 2 wickets and took a catch during RR’s chase. “Needs to bounce back and come back strong. Narine is a great asset to the team, he shows in every game when he comes out to bat. Such a character, happy to have him as part of our team.”

Iyer also spoke about the decision to give the last over to Varun Chakraborty, whom Buttler hit for 4 boundaries in his 3rd over.

“Since Buttler was striking cleanly, I thought let’s leave the pace and give it to Varun Chakraborty. He was also clean in his hitting. Just let it go, sink in, it’s all about relaxing, rejuvenating. We had a tough one. .game, within 2-3 days, it is important that we learn from our mistakes and come back stronger.”