Siraj stars as RCB demolish KKR

If ever there was a prototype for the bowlers winning a game for the team, RCB’s win against KKR would be it. Setup by a stunning bowling performance, KKR were never in the game, not even from the first over. Siraj set the tone, the spinners held their own, and KKR’s run-rate at no stage went above 4.5 an over.

It was the dream spell for any fast bowler. Mohammed Siraj was brought back into the team at the expense of Shahbaz Ahmed, a move that Mike Hesson would later explain based on the playing conditions. To say the move was vindicated would be an understatement. In what would turn out to be a masterstroke, Siraj produced a spell that will go down in IPL history as one of the best ever. No bowler ever has bowled 2 maiden overs in a game in this tournament, Siraj managed that in one spell within the powerplay. He had bowled 12 dot balls and knocked over 3 KKR batsmen before a run was scored off him. 

Rahul Tripathi fell first with an outside edge pouched safely by AB de Villiers behind the stumps. A beauty of an inswinger that had shades of Dale Steyn at his peak knocked over Rana off the very next ball. Tom Banton followed the Tripathi school of thought and the result was no different. Navdeep Saini at the other end bounced out Shubman Gill. By the end of the powerplay, KKR were tottering at 17/4 - a start from which they would never recover.

The perfect powerplay if ever there was one allowed the spinners to control the middle overs. Dinesh Karthik was trapped leg-before by Yuzvendra Chahal in his very first over. With five wickets down, KKR went into a shell, Cummins and Morgan’s arms tied behind their backs. Cummins struggled to lay bat on ball, Washington Sundar giving the Aussie pacer a torrid time. He was finally put out of his misery when a loopy delivery wide of the stumps tempted Cummins into hitting a big shot, only to find Devdutt’s safe hands at long-off. If he had his hands tied behind his back before, Morgan was now also blindfolded; only bowlers to bat with now. When Morgan pulled one off Washington Sundar to deep square-leg, any hopes of KKR putting up a fighting total was squandered.

Barring any major mishaps, a target of 85 was never going to challenge RCB’s batting lineup. A 46-run opening stand all but put the game to rest, Devdutt and Finch putting a few away to the fence with cracking stroke-play. Gurkeerat was promoted to number 3 who along with Virat Kohli had no issues in wrapping up the perfect game. 8 wickets to burn, 39 balls to spare, and a complete performance made it an evening to remember for RCB.