Kolkata Knight Riders opener Quinton de Kock said he wanted to play according to the match situation after claiming an eight-wicket win against Rajasthan Royals at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati on Wednesday.
Chasing an under-par score of 152 runs against the inaugural champions, de Kock made sure that KKR suffered no hiccups in the run-chase. The left-hander scored a match-winning knock of 97 runs off just 61 balls with the help of eight fours and six sixes.
The southpaw completed his fifty off 36 balls and this was his 24th half-century in the IPL. Ergo, he was awarded Player of the Match after KKR registered their first win of the season.
Quinton de Kock said in the post-match presentation, “To be fair, haven’t felt any challenges yet. Have had 3 months off which felt nice. Had about a 10 day build-up to this season. Only my second game here, just taking it as I see it. Luckily, we batted second so I could watch the wicket, see how the ball was behaving. Just played the situation of the game. The IPL is known for big sixes and big scores, but that wasn’t the moment for me. It was just about winning it the way I know it.”
On playing for the new franchise, KKR, de Kock said, “I love meeting new people, being in new environments. It is about finding your feet within the team. Sometimes the team accepts you later, but here with KKR they have accepted me already with open arms, so it feels good.”
When asked if Net Run Rate was discussed while finishing the match, the South African said, “Not the type of wicket for that kind of game, the ball was turning and stopping. It was a working man’s wicket, if we get an opportunity at a better wicket then surely that will be a chat, but today it was all about getting down and winning it.”
Kolkata Knight Riders will next take on Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Monday.
