The IPL 2021 is continuing successfully in the UAE. Meanwhile, Kolkata Knight Riders take on Royal Challengers Bangalore, while the former has given Virat Kohli and co a tough time.
Former champion Kolkata Knight Riders came up with a phenomenal performance against Royal Challengers Bangalore in Match 31 of the Indian Premier League at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Monday. Having shot out RCB for 92, it chased the total down comfortably by nine wickets, with 60 balls to spare.
Winning the toss, RCB skipper Virat Kohli elected to bat first. As it came out to bat, it was off to a slow and shaky start, losing a couple of wickets within the powerplay, in the form of Kohli (5) and his opening partner Devdutt Padikkal (22).
However, it was just a nightmare for the RCB batsmen post PP, as they lacked a true partnership. In the ninth over, Srikar Bharat fell for 16 to Russell, followed by AB de Villiers for an unfortunate duck to the same man in the same over, as the score read 52/4.
In the 12th over, Glenn Maxwell fell for ten to Chakravarthy, 11 runs later, as the incoming batsmen departed in single figures. Although Harshal Patel scored 12 before falling to pacer Lockie Ferguson in the 17th over, Mohammed Siraj was the final man to leave in the 19th over, for just eight to Russell, as RCB was bowled out for 92.
KKR utilised five bowlers. While Chakravarthy and Russell made the most impact, the latter was the most economical of all.
As KKR came out for the chase, it was a smooth ride, with openers Shubman Gill (48) and Venkatesh Iyer (41) contributing to an 82-run opening stand before the former fell to leg-spinner Chahal. Nevertheless, the latter finished things off in style, winning by nine wickets with 60 balls to spare, as KKR has risen to the fifth spot.
Meanwhile, RCB put five bowlers into the attack. While Chahal was the only one to attain success, pacer Siraj was the most economical of all.
Brief scores: RCB 92 in 19 overs (Padikkal- 22; Russell- 3/9, Chakravarthy- 3/16) vs KKR 94/1 in 10 overs (Gill- 48, Venkatesh- 41; Chahal- 1/23) by nine wickets.
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