Eoin Morgan claims that Kolkata Knight R iders have one of the most “destructive” batting line-ups in the ongoing edition of the IPL.

Morgan’s has good reason to think so as his batsmen did put up a powerful display in their opening game against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Sunday.

Opener Nitish Rana (80 off 56 balls) went on a rampage from the very onset of the innings, while No.3 batsman Rahul Tripathi (53 off 29 balls) wasn’t one to be left behind as the duo shared a 104-run partnership.

“One of the many strengths we have within our squad is that we have two of the most talented guys in the country opening the batting for us,” Morgan said at the post-match virtual media conference, referring to Rana and Shubman Gill..

A mini-collapse troubled the Knights towards the end of their inning, but vice-captain Dinesh Karthik’s cameo of 22 not out from nine balls took them to a challenging 187 for six.

Free from the “burden” of captaincy, Karthik smashed two sixes and one four to ensure that they do not go on backfoot after losing Andre Russell, Rana and Morgan for three runs.

“Tripathi today at No. 3 played beautifully, and the middle-order we have is extremely versatile. When Dinesh plays like that or Andre plays the game he can play, you’re going to see a very destructive batting unit that has the potential to win you matches,” Morgan said.

The skipper was all-praise for Rana who played the match-winning knock, days after recovering from a bout of Covid-19. “I’m delighted for Nitish, obviously a match-winning innings today. The thing that impressed me the most about his innings was the method that he used.

“He played really aggressively and always took a positive option, which really did set up our innings.”

Talking about Karthik, who batted at No. 6, Morgan said the wicketkeeper-batsman is happy with the role given to him. “Dinesh is happy with where he is at the moment. Obviously we’re in regular conversation with him being the vice-captain and me being the captain.”

While Russell (did not click with the bat, the Jamaican bowled well at the death and defended 22 runs in the last over.

“I’m delighted. Andre has been a big part of the franchise for a long time now,” Morgan said. “Obviously, when you are a player of that talent and ability, you can offer so much at any stage, and today he did that. Bowling at the death is not an easy job to do, and he managed to get us over the line.”