IPL 2023: KKR VS RCB, Shardul, Varun Help Kolkata Beat Bangalore by 81 Runs

IPL 2023: A happy homecoming for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) as they won their first game of the season against the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) on April 6, Thursday. In one of the most memorable games in the league’s history, KKR handed an 81-run defeat to the visiting RCB team at their home ground. Like last game, RCB skipper Faf du Plessis won the toss and elected to bowl first for the second time in a row, with the bat, the Knight Riders looked out of sorts for the start of their innings. They lost their opener, Venkatesh Iyer, as David Willey knocked him over to draw the first blood.

Willey then sent back Mandeep Singh on the next delivery for a duck. Doing his job from one end was Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who kept attacking the RCB bowlers. By the end of the powerplay, KKR managed to reach 47/2. As soon as the powerplay ended it also put a full stop to skipper Nitish Rana’s struggle at the crease. He was caught behind off Michael Bracewell’s bowling. Gurbaz and Rinku Singh tried to steady the ship. Then came Karn Sharma, who got two crucial wickets in one over. First, he removed the well-set Gurbaz (57), and then on the next delivery KKR’s danger man Andre Russell (0).

Shardul’s Whirlwind Knock Helped KKR Post 200 plus on the Board

KKR was tottering on 89/5 after Russell’s departure. From this point, KKR was not even expected to play the full quota of 20 overs. But then a miracle happened. All-rounder Shardul exhibited his incredible batting skills thereafter. He smacked his maiden IPL fifty in the 17th over off just 20 balls. While Rinku was taking calculated risks, Shardul was going all guns blazing. Thakur hit the ball to all parts of the ground in a match-changing 45-ball 103-run sixth-wicket partnership alongside Rinku Singh (46). From being 89/5, KKR ended at 204/7 on the board with Shardul top scoring for his team with 68 runs off 29 balls, with the help of 9 fours and 3 sixes.

IPL 2023: KKR VS RCB, Chakaravarthy Spun the Game in KKR’s Favour

En route, the stiff target of 205 runs RCB’s in-form opening pair of Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis did start decently but once spin was introduced they were left scrambling for answers before KKR’s spin bowlers. Kohli was deceived by Narine and the procession started with his wickets. The turn and grip offered by the pitch surprised the visitors. With Narine’s spine twin Varun Chakaravarthy introduced into the attack the very next over, skipper Faf got out in a similar fashion while playing the wrong line. The mystery spinner got Glenn Maxwell and Harshal Patel out in the same over to reduce RCB to 54/4. Shahbaz Ahmed became Narine’s second victim.

RCB suffered another collapse in the Eden Gardens to be bundled out for just 123/10 in 17.4 overs to lose the game by a big margin of 81 runs. RCB batters will be disappointed with themselves as many of them got out to poor shots. While Varun Chakravarthy and Narine shared six wickets, young Suyash Sharma took three wickets. Shardul was the only KKR pacer to pick a wicket in the match. He also bagged the Player of the Match award for his all-around brilliance in the match.