Varun Aaron credits County stint for Man of the Match performance against Kolkata Knight Riders

Varun Aaron gave Rajasthan Royals a great start in their game against Kolkata Knight Riders at the Eden Gardens on Thursday. He struck in his very first over by bowling Chris Lynn with a sharp inswinger for 0 and he struck again in the fifth over when he removed Shubman Gill for 14 with a knuckleball that went through his defences. Aaron’s first spell of 3-1-10-2 put Rajasthan Royals on top but Dinesh Karthik played a captain’s knock of 97 to boost the home side to 175/6. In response, Riyan Parag played a superb knock under pressure and Rajasthan Royals stayed in the hunt with a thrilling three-wicket win against Kolkata Knight Riders to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Aaron won the Man of the Match award for his match figures of 4-1-20-2 and credited his sting with Leicestershire in the 2018 County season for his improvement. “I have always bowled inswing but it's coming off a lot better after my county stint. I used to rely on outswing a lot before. But last year when I was not playing the IPL, I played county cricket and did work on my inswing which is really handy because on wickets like these you can't get give much of room. So there's no point bowling outswing at my pace,” Aaron said.

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Aaron picked up six wickets against Glamorgan and also took a four-wicket haul against Derbyshire that highlighted his effectiveness. “I'm looking forward to going and playing in county cricket after the IPL because I've some time. I really enjoyed my time last year. I don't really know which team will need a fast bowler since I'm going to join mid-season. It all depends on the availability of the current players and their fitness and form,” Aaron said.

Kolkata Knight Riders suffered their sixth straight loss, which equals their worst streak in 2011 and Dinesh Karthik, whose 97 went in vain, admitted that tough questions will be asked. “It's my job to lead from the front. But sometimes the results don't go your way. So it's obviously always a tough thing to mend. But the fact is that we try hard as a team and I have belief in my boys that we'll come stronger. Obviously, when the results don't go your way these questions will be asked, and I understand that. But as a team, we're trying to do a lot of things right,” Karthik said.

Rajasthan Royals will take on Sunrisers Hyderabad as they aim to stay alive in the playoff race while Kolkata Knight Riders face a tough task against Mumbai Indians.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Rajasthan Royals are still in the hunt for the playoff spots.
• Rajasthan Royals defeated Kolkata Knight Riders by three wickets.
• Dinesh Karthik hammered 97 for Kolkata Knight Riders but it went in vain.