Video of Faf Du Plessis Six to score 50 runs : CSK vs KKR : IPL Final

CSK vs KKR, IPL Final 2021, 15 October, 07:30 PM IST

Toss : Kolkata Knight Riders won the toss and chose to bowl first

“It’s the full team (effort). It was the first time we didn’t qualify last year and emotions were quite high. But whatever games we had towards the end of last year, we made the most of it.

A lot of batters made the most of that. That’s the reason we have come back strongly. But credit goes to the support staff and everyone in the team. Without that character, we couldn’t have come back like this.” – MS Dhoni.

“Six off two [against DC in Q2], the odds were probably in favour of the bowling side, but Rahul Tripathi has done superbly well for us. It’s a nice insight into our team culture – the young guys coming in feel free to express themselves. The backroom staff have created an environment for them to do this.

With the squad we have, there’s expectation. Hopefully we can implement all that we’ve strategised. We would like to keep going, playing against CSK, one of the best franchises in IPL history.” – Eoin Morgan.

Josh Hazlewood: Excited, most of all. There obviously are a few nerves in the group, but all these guys have been here before and played in a few IPL finals. These wickets have been helpful on occasions.

There is enough if you hit the back of a length and make them play shots. I have bowled a lot upfront and usually one or two in the end. Batting in the powerplay has been the easiest, but I enjoy bowling there and getting the team off to a good start. The pressure is more on the batters. The batters know they have to get off to a good start.

Once five fielders go out, it is tough with these big boundaries. You want to be nice and calm and keep doing what has worked so far. Most importantly, have fun.

Venkatesh Iyer: I am not seeing it as a big game. Looking at it that it is another game which we need to win. I have worked really hard. It feels good to be recognised. I would try to help the team to win today. I feel if I am strong in academics, it makes me take smarter decisions.

I have never tried to interchange either professions of mine. The coach and captain have advised me again like before to go out there and enjoy yourself as well as express yourself.

MS Dhoni: We are looking to bowl first as well, initially it stops a bit and as the game goes on it settles down and toss is uncontrollable and we are prepared for both. It’s been a long time (300 T20 games as captain) We started T20 in around 2005-06 and most of the games have been franchise cricket.

In the last five years there have been a lot of T20 games in international cricket as well. We are playing with the same squad. Often what really dictates terms is the result and I feel our international players are equipped to deal with whatever the situation maybe.

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