Following a 24-run victory over Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium, Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) captain Shreyas Iyer highlighted the impact player rule as a crucial factor in their push towards the playoffs in this season’s Indian Premier League (IPL). Facing a dire situation at 57-5, KKR took a strategic gamble by substituting all-rounder Ramandeep Singh with seasoned batsman Manish Pandey.
Pandey’s inclusion proved transformative as he, alongside Venkatesh Iyer, rallied to construct an 83-run partnership, ultimately setting a competitive total of 169 runs. Pandey’s valuable knock of 42 runs from 31 balls, featuring two fours and two sixes, was pivotal in stabilizing KKR’s innings.
Shreyas Iyer praised the tactical change, stating, “Certainly, the impact player rule has benefitted us significantly in this game. Manish has been ready since day one, and today he seized his opportunity brilliantly. We managed to post a commendable total, which I was confident we could defend with our strong bowling lineup.”
He further commended the spin duo for their exceptional performance, noting their precision in line and length that played a vital role in executing their game plan flawlessly. “Our spinners were spot-on today; their execution was unreal,” Iyer remarked.
Reflecting on the broader implications of the match, Iyer shared insights into his discussions with Mitchell Starc about the critical nature of the game. “I had a conversation with Starcy about how crucial this match was. Losing today would have put immense pressure on us to win two of the next four matches. This victory was not only beautiful but also vital for our campaign. While we cherish this win, we must quickly refocus as we have another game in just a couple of days.”
Iyer’s comments underscore the strategic dynamics introduced by the impact player rule and how effectively KKR utilized it to claim a crucial win in their quest for playoff qualification.
