Chasemaster Virat Kohli headlines RCB’s clinical win against KKR
The Royal Challengers Bengaluru strode to the finish line clinically as Virat Kohli spearheaded the chase with vigour, leaving Kolkata Knight Riders reeling. A warring show with the ball that restricted the Knights in a rain-delayed encounter to less than 200 was followed by a clinical domination with the bat in the following 20 overs.
Winning the toss, RCB opted to bowl first. There were two changes to the side for Patidar and company. Jacob Duffy replaced Suyash Sharma, and Romario Shepherd was replaced by Jacob Duffy. After the rains in Raipur, it was a good toss to win for the Royal Challengers.
Finn Allen got off to a roaring start for KKR, smashing 18 off just eight balls as the visitors looked in good stead. However, an in-form Bhuvneshwar Kumar struck the first blow to remove Allen while Josh Hazlewood dealt another hefty blow claiming Ajinkya Rahane (19) as KKR wobbled at 48/2.
The Knights wrested the reins back with a solid stand between Angkrish Raghuvanshi (71) and Cameron Green (32) as the duo added 68 runs for the third wicket. Raghuvanshi was the aggressor-in-chief while Green was happy to play second fiddle. It was Rasikh Salam Dar who added another crucial scalp to his tally with the big wicket of Cam Green.
An incoming Rinku Singh (49*) paired well alongside a firing Raghuvanshi as the two added 76 runs for the fourth wicket from just 46 balls. An excellent fielding effort from Devdutt Padikkal combined with prompt dislodging of the bails from Bhuvneshwar Kumar put an end to what was a fine show from the young Raghuvanshi. The RCB pacers worked in tandem as Bhuvi, Josh Hazlewood and Rasikh claimed one wicket apiece at fairly decent economical rates.
The Royal Challengers Bengaluru brought the big guns out right from the word go. Despite a reticent first over, there was a massive roar from the crowd when Virat Kohli got off the mark. However, from the very second over of the innings, Kohli unleashed his inner beast, sending the Knight scrambling for retreat.
Jacob Bethell (15) got off to an absolute banger, playing incredible shots with consummate ease. Much to his woes, a fine bouncer from Kartik Tyagi saw the southpaw being dented and eventually hole out to the bowler off the same ball. However, that did very little to deter RCB from shooting in the fifth gear.
Both Kohli and Padikkal had a lifeline each as they were dropped by Rovman Powell and Vaibhav Arora respectively. However, they made the most out of it, smashing the visitors into every single nook and cranny of the park. Kohli’s effortless effulgence illuminated the night sky in Nava Raipur as the onlookers were treated to absolute dominance.
Kohli completed his half-century in just 32 balls, pulling Cameron Green for a couple. That was his fourth fifty in the last five games against KKR. The two added 88 runs for the second wicket before Padikkal fell for a well-orchestrated 39 from just 27 balls. However, Kohli went on and on and that bode ominous signs for the Knights who were in a great run themselves after securing four wins from the last four games.
An incoming Rajat Patidar had an early hiccup when he was struck on the back of the helmet after a nasty bouncer smacked him. But then being the captain he is, he came back roaring with a maximum in short succession before eventually falling against Sunil Narine. Despite hiccups at the other end, Kohli ensured that RCB was not falling short of the finish line. He brought up his ninth IPL century by knocking Vaibhav Arora for a single towards long-off.
RCB snatched the winning runs as Jitesh Sharma struck Saurabh Dubey for a four in the very first ball of the final over. Kohli stayed unbeaten for 105 from just 60 balls, securing the Player of the Match award as well. RCB climbed to the pole position of the points table with 16 points from 12 games while bragging about a superlative NRR of +1.053.
