Royal Challengers Bangalore beat Kolkata Knight Riders by 8 wickets in match 40 in IPL 2020 to go on level terms with Delhi Capitals with 14 points and at number two in the points table. KKR despite another big defeat has managed to stay in the top four, with the net run rate reading -0.828 at the moment. RCB thus bat KKR twice in this IPL campaign and both by big margins. The remaining four games for KKR, now become must-win if they are to give themselves a chance to make it to the playoffs.
Kolkata Knight Riders’ Batting Woes Continue
KKR skipper Eoin Morgan won the toss and opted to bat first. The decision backfired badly as they were 14 for 4 inside the powerplay. The RCB pacers, especially Mohammed Siraj ran through the KKR top-order dismissing Tom Banton (10), Nitish Rana (0) and Rahul Tripathi (1). He picked 3 for 8 from his four overs. Navdeep Saini took the wicket of Shubman Gill (1).
Dinesh Karthik’s (4) struggle against leg-spin continues as Yuzvendra Chahal bagged him for the second time this season. Captain Morgan top-scored with 30 from 34 balls as Kolkata Knight Riders reached d84 for 8 after their 20 overs. Lockie Ferguson (19) and Kuldeep Yadav (12) added crucial runs in the final three overs of their innings to help KKR get to that score.
Kolkata’s first innings score of 84 was the lowest among all the teams this season so far. Royal Challengers Bangalore bowlers bowled in a good channel and took advantage of the early pace and swing the wicket provided.
Royal Challengers Bangalore make two out of two vs Kolkata Knight Riders
RCB’s chase was quick and easy. Openers Aaron Finch (16) and Devdutt Padikkal (25) added 46 in the first seven overs to set up the chase for RCB and in the process, killing the game then and there. Kolkata Knight Riders skipper Morgan introduced Ferguson in the seventh over of the RCB innings. He picked up Finch in the very second delivery of his spell. Padikkal was also run-out in the same over a well as RCB went from 46 for no loss to be at 46 for 2.
Gurkeerat Mann (21*) and Virat Kohli (18*) then ensured that RCB track the score down in a canter to finish the match inside 14 overs. Twice this season, therefore, Royal Challengers Bangalore has completely outplayed KKR and won by big margins.
This loss also hurts KKR’s net run-rate in a big way, which still reads in minus. This just makes their season all the more difficult now with them having to win their last four games by big margins now.
Also Read: We Should Have Bowled First-Eoin Morgan
What Was the Turning Point in The Game?
Kolkata Knight Riders skipper Eoin Morgan said in the post-match presentation that they misread the wicket after winning the toss. They should have looked to bowl first which they didn’t. Also losing three wickets for 17 runs inside the powerplay did not help their cause as well.
Mohammed Siraj for his brilliant spell of bowling was adjudged as the Man of the Match. He now has six wickets from four games, picking three in this game alone.
“Was bowling with the new ball a lot in practice, got the opportunity today. Mood in the camp is great. Everyone is supporting each other, talking to each other. Cherished the delivery to Rana, came out exactly as I had thought” said an elated Siraj after the game.
Kolkata Knight Riders play Delhi Capitals next on Saturday in Abu Dhabi while Royal Challengers Bangalore face a depleted CSK in Dubai on Sunday.
Also Read: Watch – Mohammad Siraj Breaches Nitish Rana’s Defense With A Perfect Delivery