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Shashank Singh Parihar
After leg-spinner, Wanindu Hasaranga spun his way to a four-wicket haul. Royal Challengers Bangalore batters overcame some nervous moments to win by three wickets over Kolkata Knight Riders in a low-scoring IPL match here on Wednesday. Hasaranga’s four-wicket haul helped RCB dismiss KKR for 128 runs, justifying his Rs 10.75 crore price tag.
After winning the toss and elected to bowl at DY Patil Stadium, the Sri Lankan was ably assisted by the speed trio of Akash Deep(3/45), Harshal Patel (2/11), and Mohammed Siraj (1/25).
Sherfane Rutherford (28), David Willey (18) and Shahbaz Ahmed (27) played key innings as RCB overcome the mark, scoring 132 for 7 in 19.2 overs. After Tim Southee (3/20) and Umesh Yadav (2/16) blasted off their top-order. RCB gained two crucial points as they are placed in 6th position with one win in two games.
KKR’s shaky start
Invited to bat, all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer threw his wicket in an attempt to hit big. Despite losing wickets at regular intervals, the KKR batters struggled with the extra bounce and went for too many strokes. KKR lost six wickets for 57 runs, slipping from 44 for 3 to 101 for 9 in 14.3 overs, with none of the hitters capitalizing on the starts.
Hasaranga’s two in two broken KKR’s hope
Hasaranga’s first wicket came as a result of skipper Shreyas Iyer’s careless shot, which he sent straight to Du Plessis at long-on. KKR was reduced to 67 for 6 in 9 overs when Hasaranga struck twice in two balls ending with figures of 4/20 in 4 overs.
A cameo from Russell, given RCB bowler headache
Russell, a big-hitting West Indian all-rounder, top-scored for KKR with an 18-ball 25 including three big sixes and one four. Harshal Patel dismissed Rusell, with an inside edge, collected by DK.
Umesh and Chakravarthy created history
Umesh Yadav (18) and Varun Chakravarthy (10) combined 27 runs for the 10th wicket, the fourth-highest partnership for the 10th wicket in IPL history.
Both took KKR to a fighting total of 128. Aksha deep bowler Umesh Yadav forms a quick yorker, ending the KKR’s innings.
Knight Riders’ pace attack dismantled RCB’s top order
Chasing a low total, RCB’s top order failed to give a good start. With their pace and bounce, Yadav and Southee plagued the top-order batsman, leaving RCB at 17 for 3 at one point. While Anuj Rawat (0) received a thick outside edge from Umesh and Faf Du Plessis (5) received a leading edge to the point fielder from Tim Southee’s quick delivery. Virat Kohli (12) was penalized for playing away from the body.
With a 45-run stand, Willey and Rutherford attempted to rescue the run chase. But Sunil Narine broke the partnership in the 11th over, catching the former at midwicket.
Shahbaz Ahmed Vs Russell “Masala”
When Shahbaz arrived at the crease, he pulled Andre Russell for two sixes as RCB amassed 15 runs to relieve the pressure. RCB was reduced to 101 for 5 when Shahbaz hit another six off Chakravarty before being deceived by the bowling.
DK and Harsal concluded the run-chase
RCB needed 17 runs with two overs left, as Harshal and Kartik were in the crease. Patel slammed two fours in the 19th over, while Dinesh Kartik (14 not out) blasted a six and a four in the first two balls of the last over to get the side home.