IPL 2021: Eoin Morgan blames Chennai pitch for KKR failing to chase against MI

Eoin Morgan is the English skipper who has also been leading Kolkata Knight Riders since the Indian Premier League 2020. Morgan’s second stint with KKR, with his first stint being between 2011-13, winning the title once during this phase, in 2012.

Former champions Kolkata Knight Riders suffered a shocking and surprising defeat to defending champion Mumbai Indians in Match 5 of the 2021 Indian Premier League at the MA Chidambaram (Chepauk) Stadium in Chennai on Tuesday. Chasing a modest total of 153, KKR fell short of the target by ten runs.

Despite the KKR openers getting off to a flying start, none of the other batsmen could contribute decently, all getting dismissed in single figures. As the entire IPL fraternity continue to mull as to how KKR could lose from a winning position, skipper Eoin Morgan blamed the Chennai pitch, claiming that it becomes difficult to chase at the latter stage of the game.

“We needed to bat around and complete the chase. The games that have been played here, it would suggest that there is a trend in the games that have been played so far, barring AB de Villiers in the chase,” Morgan said during the post-match presentation, reports IANS.

Nonetheless, Morgan also credited MI for holding its nerve even at the stage. He also felt that his batsmen made a mistake by hurrying to chase the target down after the openers’ glowing start.

“Mumbai have been performing like this for a long time. That would be something we need to assess. Made a few mistakes, will need to sort it out. I think the perfect game is to be able to do both and we have managed to do neither in the end,” Morgan continued.

“It is disappointing. Played some good cricket for most part of the game. We looked comfortable in the chase. But, they are a strong team, came back well and sad that it didn’t work out for us,” Morgan concluded.

KKR next takes on Royal Challengers Bangalore on Sunday, that beat MI in the season opener. As of now, KKR is placed fifth in the IPL 2021 table.