KKR vs RCB: Shardul Thakur Hits Joint-Fastest Fifty of IPL 2023

KKR vs RCB: Kolkata Knight Riders took on Royal Challengers Bangalore in their first home game of IPL 2023 on April 6. In the KKR vs RCB game, all-rounder Shardul Thakur smashed the joint-fastest fifty of IPL 2023 as he took only 20 deliveries to complete his half-century and put Kolkata Knight Riders in the driver’s seat.

Kolkata Knight Riders had a terrible start to their innings as Venkatesh Iyer, Mandeep Singh, and skipper Nitish Rana were dismissed for single-digit scores. Wicketkeeper-batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz anchored their innings from one end.

Leg spinner Karn Sharma got rid of Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Andre Russell in quick succession. After the two dismissals, Shardul Thakur and Rinku Singh took on the Royal Challengers Bangalore bowlers as they brought KKR out of trouble.

KKR vs RCB: Shardul Thakur hits the joint-fastest fifty of IPL 2023, helping KKR post a total of 204-7

KKR all-rounder Shardul Thakur initially took on RCB pacer Akash Deep as he hit a couple of fours and then a six in the same over. Shardul then smashed a couple of sixes against off-spinner Michael Bracewell which set the tone for the KKR innings.

Shardul Thakur went on to complete his half-century in just 20 deliveries which is the joint-fastest fifty of IPL 2023. Before Shardul, Rajasthan Royals’ star batter Kos Buttler had scored a fifty off just 20 deliveries against the Sunrisers Hyderabad in their opening game.

The Indian all-rounder didn’t get complacent after hitting the fifty as he knew his job wasn’t over yet. Shardul Thakur, along with Rinku Singh kept the flow of runs going till the 19th over. Rinku Singh departed on the last delivery of the 19th over after scoring a crucial 33-ball 46.

Shardul Thakur too was dismissed by Mohammed Siraj in the 20th over but the damage had already been done by him in the RCB vs KKR game. Thakur played a stellar knock of 68 runs in just 29 deliveries including 9 boundaries and 3 huge sixes.

The Kolkata Knight Riders’ innings were in deep trouble before Shardul Thakur came in to bat. Courtesy of the joint-fastest fifty of IPL 2023 scored by him, KKR posted a massive total of 204-7 in their 20 overs.