Sandeep Warrier, on Friday, bagged his first IPL wickets by having the in-form K. L. Rahul and Chris Gayle caught at mid-on and deep midwicket, respectively, off kuckleballs. Thereby, he gave Kolkata Knight Riders the ideal start with the new ball after captain Dinesh Karthik won the toss and chose to field first at the PCA IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali.
Playing his second IPL match, Warrier removed the Kings XI openers with knuckleballs that induced false shots. Rahul was early into his shot chipped the ball to Chris Lynn at mid-on; Gayle got more wood on the ball but failed to clear the fielder at deep midwicket.
Warrier has been brought into the playing XI for Prasidh Krishna, who had bowled at express pace throughout the season but was expensive (his economy rate this season is 9.50) and struggled for wickets (with only three to his name) in the 10 matches he played.
The Eden Gardens pitch has been excellent for batting and a majority of the bowlers, pacers and spinners alike, have struggled for wickets at the venue this season.
Warrier bowled well on his IPL debut for KKR against Mumbai Indians last Sunday, albeit he didn't pick up a wicket.
The Kerala pacer was KKR's replacement for Kamlesh Nagarkoti, who missed a second consecutive IPL season, this time with a back injury.
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