Kolkata Knight Riders lost to Royal Challengers Bangalore by 82 runs in match 28 of IPL 2020 in Sharjah. Incidentally, KKR have lost both their games they have played at this venue. Meanwhile, RCB have won their first match at this venue. This match marks the halfway point in the tournament.
Bangalore has pipped Kolkata to go at number three with 10 points. Mumbai and Delhi have 10 points as well. KKR are placed on the fourth position with eight points from seven games.
RCB won the toss and elected to bat first in Sharjah. Devdutt Padikkal (32) and Aaron Finch (47) gave Royal Challengers Bangalore a good start adding 67 in 7.4 overs. KKR then dismissed Padikkal and Finch in quick succession which brought Virat Kohli (33*) and AB de Villiers (73*) at the wicket.
The Proteas got going right from the start of his innings and looked in good touch. He hit five fours and six sixes in his innings. Kohli, on the other hand, ensured that he handed over the strike to the former South African captain. Together they added exactly 100 in the last 46 balls to take Royal Challengers Bangalore to 194 after their 20 overs.
The KKR bowlers did well in the middle-overs but gave away runs t the death. Varun Chakravarthy was the most economical of all the bowlers going for just 25 off his four. Pat Cummins yet again went wicket-less in this game. He has picked up just two wickets in seven games for KKR so far.
Also Read: Great To See Individuals Stand Up When The Team Requires – Virat Kohli
Kolkata Knight Riders Lose By 82 Runs
In the chase, KKR were under the pump right from the start. Tom Banton (8), who replaced Sunil Narine and made his debut for Kolkata Knight Riders had a brief stay at the crease. Kolkata lost wickets at regular intervals. Once KKR lost their first wicket, they lost wickets at regular intervals. This was the match when the much-famed Kolkata Knight Riders middle-order needed to stand-up and they failed in unison.
Eoin Morgan scored just 8, while Dinesh Karthik, who was fresh off a fifty in the last game was out for just one. All hopes rested on Andre Russell (16) to play the innings of his life, but he failed as well. His knee-injury did not help in the cause as well. Rahul Tripathi scored 16 off 22 but it was not enough. In the end, KKR were bowled out for just 112 to give RCB a mammoth win at a crucial phase in the tournament.
Royal Challengers Bangalore spinners Yuzvendra Chahal and Washington Sundar shared three wickets between themselves as Chris Morris and Isuru Udana cleaned up the KKR tail.
Also Read: Virat Kohli Wears His Heart On His Sleeve – Kevin Pietersen
What Was the Turning Point In the Game?
Kolkata Knight Riders middle-order failing to perform turned out to be the turning point in the game. KKR were the favoured side coming into this game, with their middle-order expected to get runs. However, that didn’t happen. Also, KKR conceding 100 runs in the Kohli-De Villiers partnership in the last seven overs, did not help their cause as well.
AB de Villiers for his quickfire 33-ball 73 was chosen as the Man of the Match.
“Very happy with the performance. Got a duck in the last game, a terrible feeling. Very happy that I contributed. Surprised myself out there tonight. Knew the wicket was quite tough to bat on.
But I thought 145-150 wasn’t enough. So I looked to go further, and was surprised to get 195. They’ve got a really good bowling attack. The margins are small and you have to use every bit of energy” said De Villiers after RCB’s win over KKR.
Also Read: Dinesh Karthik Points Out The Difference After Loss To RCB
