On Wednesday, Kolkata Knight Riders emerged victorious over Royal Challengers Bangalore by a margin of 21 runs, marking their return to winning ways in the IPL.
Despite chasing a target of 201 runs, RCB could only manage 179 for 8 in their allotted 20 overs. Varun Chakravarthy was the standout performer for KKR, taking 3 wickets for 27 runs, while Suyash Sharma and Andre Russell also contributed with two wickets each.
Although Virat Kohli played well, scoring 54 runs off 37 balls with six fours, his efforts were in vain as the rest of the RCB batting lineup failed to support him and forge partnerships.
One bright spot for RCB was Mahipal Lomror, who scored 34 runs off 18 balls with three sixes and a four while adding 55 runs with Kohli for the fourth wicket.
KKR’s impact substitute Suyash Sharma also had a good outing, snaffling the wickets of Faf du Plessis and Shahbaz Ahmed inside the powerplay to return with figures of 4-0-30-2.
Russell also contributed to KKR’s victory by dismissing Kohli and Wanindu Hasaranga and taking two wickets for 29 runs.
Varun Chakravarthy dedicated the award to his new born son. He is yet to see his son and will see after IPL –
Last match I went for 49 and this match I did well. That’s how crazy life is. (This year) More focused on accuracy rather than more variations. I didn’t want to add more variations. I have been working a lot and I’d like to credit AC Pratheepan – he’s been working for me and even Abhishek Nayar. I’d like to thank them. I like that challenge (to bowl the difficult overs) and Nitish is giving the ball whenever he wants me to do the job, I am liking it. I’d like to credit this to my new born son, still not able to see him, I’d like to dedicate it to him and my wife.
