KKR vs RCB: The struggling Kolkata Knight Riders side have finally found their winning ways as they powered a decisive 21-run victory over Royal Challengers Bangalore in their last pool stage fixture. With this victory, the Knight Riders revive their chances of qualification to the Playoffs and have claimed the seventh spot in the standings. Winning the toss at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore, RCB skipper Virat Kohli made an unfortunate decision to bowl first. Batting first, Kolkata Knight Riders posted a thumping 200/5 runs total in their first innings of 20 overs.
Kolkata was off to a flying start as opening batsman Jason Roy (56) smashed an absolutely explosive knock and anchored a splendid match-winning stand of 83 runs for the first wicket. Furthermore, Venkatesh Iyer (31) and Nitish Rana (48) capitalized on the solid start and powered another fabulous 80-run stand for the third wicket.
In the end, two iconic cameos from Rinku Singh (18) and David Wiese (12) helped the Knight Riders to breach the 200-run mark. For Royal Challengers Bangalore, Wanindu Hasaranga (2/22) and Vyashak Kumar (2/41) starred in the bowling attack with a convincing performance whereas Mohammed Siraj chipped in a wicket apiece.
KKR vs RCB: Middle-order woes continue to haunt RCB winning hopes
Chasing a gigantic target of 201 runs, Bangalore was comfortable in the start as in-form batsman Faf du Plessis (17) and Virat Kohli added 31 runs for the first wicket. However, wickets continued to tumble since then as Shahbaz Ahmed (2) and Glenn Maxwell (5) failed to earn a mark.
Kohli (54) played a pivotal knock and starred in a solid 55-run partnership for the fifth wicket alongside Mahipal Lomror (34). Dinesh Karthik (22) put up an astonishing cameo but RCB failed to maintain their ground and were restricted to 179/8 by the end of 20 overs. For Kolkata Knight Riders, Varun Chakravarthy (3/27) led the bowling attack and was monumental in his spell. Suyash Sharma (2/30) and Andre Russell (2/29) provided vital support and were also excellent in their bowling approach as Kolkata registered a commanding victory.
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