Kolkata Knight Riders caption Eoin Morgan was happy with winning startle, special praise for Nitisha Rana and Rahul Tripathi.

KKR made a wining start to an IPL season for the eight time in the last 10 edition. Their 2021 campaign with a 10 run victory over sunrisers Hyderabad at Channai.

It was the domestic due of Nitish Rana and Rahul Tripathi who led KKR TO 187/5, sharing a 93 run second wicket partnership in just 8.2 overs. SRH lost captain David Warner early, and a disciplined all round bowling efort from KKR kept them down to 177/5.

It was tight game against a really tough side. Really happy with start. We were very happy with the score.

Morgan said the build up to the to the tournament has been pretty good and the players have galled really well.

We were blessed that we have guys buying into what we want to do. Bhajji starting really well in the first over. he was not playing a part but using his experience, said Morgan.

“There’s a huge amount of thought and structure that goes into decisions on the field. We’ve got a great head coach and support staff”.

The IPL was all about result. I think guys are buying into what we are trying to do.

SRH captain Devid Warner conceded that his side mis-executed a little bit with the ball.

“I didn’t think there were that many runs in that wicket. They adapted really well,” Warner said.

“And the way that we lost two early wickets but fought hard through Jonny and Manish, was good. If you over-pitched, it came on a little bit. They had some height in their bowling attack, it helped with the cross-seam balls.”

The Australian said there would be good momentum going in to the tournament.