IPL 2018, Match 29, RCB v KKR: Kolkata Return to Winning Ways Courtesy Good All-Round Show

It was a thoroughly professional performance by the Kolkata Knight Riders who returned to winning ways after their six wickets victory against the Royal Challengers Bangalore at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

Chris Lynn played a match-winning knock which ensured Kolkata eventually reached the target quite comfortably in the end. Earlier in the day, it was Royal Challengers Bangalore skipper Virat Kohli who scored 68 off 44 deliveries which included some magnificent shots.

However, his innings went in vain, as Kolkata won their 4^th match of the tournament.

The Kolkata Knight Riders won the toss and put the hosts in. Brendon McCullum returned in the playing XI and played at the top of the order with Quinton de Kock. Bangalore got off to a pretty steady start. Both batsmen struck some exceptional shots, to begin with. McCullum was at his very best and struck four fours, and a couple of sixes during his knock of 38 runs off 28 deliveries.

The hard-hitting batsman shared a 69 runs partnership with Quinton de Kock. However, both fell in quick succession which pegged the hosts back a little.

However, RCB skipper Virat Kohli was at his sublime best and started resurrecting the innings. He played some exceptional shots in the process. Manan Vohra who made a comeback in this particular encounter was out for a golden duck, as Andre Russell castled him on the very first delivery he faced.

Kohli was at his imperious best. However, his teammates haven’t been able to support him very well. He played a sensational knock of 68 off just 44 deliveries. It was studded with five fours and three hits over the fence. Mandeep Singh made 19 off just 14 deliveries but got dismissed just when he was building a good partnership with Kohli.

Eventually, Bangalore reached 175/4 in their allotted 20 overs. Kohli remained unbeaten on 68 of 44 deliveries while Colin de Grandhomme was not out on 11 of just six deliveries. Andre Russell was the pick of the KKR bowlers bagging 3/31 in his three overs.

Also Read: IPL 2018: Watch – Virat Kohli Takes Sensational Catch to Dismiss Dinesh Karthik

Kolkata got off to a breezy start, courtesy their openers, Sunil Narine and Chris Lynn. The latter was dropped when he was batting on seven by Murugan Ashwin.

It was a sitter which changed the whole complexion of the match. Lynn went on to remain unbeaten and played a match-winning innings for the visitors. He cashed in on the opportunity and let Bangalore rue their missed opportunity.

Kohli in the post-match presentation said that they didn’t deserve to win with the fielding them put up today. Lynn and Narine shared a 59 runs partnership for the opening wicket. The southpaw made 27 off 19 deliveries which included three fours and a six.

The partnership of Robin Uthappa and Chris Lynn proved to be pretty vital for Kolkata in the end. The 49 runs stand between the duo took Kolkata to a position of strength.

Uthappa smashed three fours and three sixes during his knock of 37. He was sent back to the pavilion by Murugan Ashwin. He proved to be a decisive player for Bangalore. However, his dropped catch proved to be the difference in the end. He bagged a couple of wickets for 36 runs, but in the end, he will rue the missed opportunity which eventually handed Kolkata a quite comfortable victory in the end.

Skipper Dinesh Karthik smashed a quickfire knock of 23 off just ten deliveries which eventually Bangalore’s resistance in the end. When Andre Russell got dismissed for a golden duck, Bangalore sensed a comeback. However, Karthik was at his imperious best and ended Bangalore’s resistance. It was an extraordinary catch by RCB skipper Virat Kohli which brought about an end to Karthik’s innings. It was Shubhman Gill who struck the winning shot. Kolkata won their 4^th encounter and again entered the top four.

Also Read: IPL 2018: Watch – Special Guest Attends Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Kolkata Knight Riders Game

Brief Scores

Royal Challengers Bangalore 175/4 in 20 overs (Virat Kohli 68*, Brendon McCullum 38, Andre Russell 3/31)

Kolkata Knight Riders 176/4 in 19.1 overs (Chris Lynn 62*, Robin Uthappa 36, Murugan Ashwin 2/36)

Kolkata Knight Riders won by six wickets (with five deliveries to spare)