Sunil Narine showcased his prowess with a scintillating 47 off just 22 deliveries, while Venkatesh Iyer's electrifying half-century propelled Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to a remarkable seven-wicket victory over Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the Indian Premier League 2024 clash at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Narine's explosive knock set the tone for KKR's chase on a pitch that eased out in the second innings, aided by the dew factor. Following Narine's blitz, Venkatesh (50) and Shreyas (39 not out) ensured KKR reached the target with plenty of deliveries to spare.
The win marked KKR's sixth consecutive victory at RCB's home ground, emphasizing their dominance at the venue. With this victory, KKR moved to the second spot on the points table, trailing behind Chennai Super Kings, while RCB suffered their second defeat in three matches.
The foundation for KKR's victory was laid by their bowlers, led by Andre Russell and Harshit Rana, who delivered an impressive performance to restrict RCB to 182/6 despite Virat Kohli's unbeaten 83. Russell and Rana claimed two wickets each, utilizing short-of-the-length off-cutters effectively. Narine also chipped in with a crucial wicket, conceding 40 runs in his spell.
Chasing 183, KKR got off to a blazing start with Narine's fireworks supported by Phil Salt's brisk 30 off 20 balls. The duo's onslaught in the Power-play propelled KKR to 85 runs, leaving the RCB bowlers stunned. Despite Narine's dismissal, Venkatesh and Shreyas steadied the innings with a vital partnership, guiding KKR to victory.
Earlier, RCB got off to a solid start with Kohli and Cameron Green adding 65 runs for the second wicket. However, Narine's twin strikes halted RCB's momentum momentarily. Despite losing wickets at regular intervals, Kohli anchored the innings superbly, supported by Dinesh Karthik's late cameo, guiding RCB to a competitive total.
In the end, KKR's clinical batting display ensured a convincing victory, highlighting their strength and resilience in the tournament.
Brief scores:
RCB: 182/6 in 20 overs (Kohli 83*, Green 33; Russell 2-29, Rana 2-39)
KKR: 186/3 in 16.5 overs (Narine 47, Venkatesh 50, Shreyas 39*; Vyshak 1-23)
Result: KKR won by seven wickets.
Read also | IPL 2024: Riyan Parag's Heroics and Clinical Bowling Lead Rajasthan Royals to Victory
