Phil Salt’s extraordinary assault and Virat Kohli’s star energy helped Royal Challengers Bengaluru outshine defending champion Kolkata Knight Riders by seven wickets within the Indian Premier League-18 season opener on the Eden Gardens right here on Saturday.
After limiting KKR to 174, RCB cruised to victory with a lot to spare.
With a big a part of Eden switching loyalty and chanting ‘RCB, RCB’ and ‘Kohli, Kohli, RCB openers, Kohli and Salt, unleashed firepower to plunder 80 runs within the Powerplay on a batting-friendly monitor and make the chase a cakewalk.
Donning a special uniform in a well-known setting, Salt (56, 31b, 9×4, 2×6) exhibited his trademark ruthless hammering, comprising some awe-inspiring drives but additionally some deft cuts, to punish his former staff’s bowlers as he raced to his fifty in 25 balls.
Kohli (59 n.o., 36b, 4×4, 3×6) joined the occasion with two straight-batted sixes off Spencer Johnson and as many fours off Vaibhav Arora.
Varun Chakaravarthy broke the breezy 95-run stand as Salt mistimed one to brief third-man and Sunil Narine accounted for Influence Participant Devdutt Padikkal.
Nonetheless, Kohli managed the chase and performed a number of extra well-executed pictures to attain a fast-paced half-century and clinch RCB the win. It ensured a memorable starting for brand new skipper Rajat Patidar.
Earlier, Quinton de Kock was caught behind off Josh Hazlewood earlier than making an impression in KKR colors.
With Hazlewood displaying his fast adaptability to the spectacular bounce and motion, RCB pacers saved it tight within the first three overs earlier than KKR batters, led by Ajinkya Rahane (56, 31b, 6×4, 4×6), gathered runs briskly.
The skilled Rahane, displaying management over his strokes and placement, selected the bowlers and his areas, principally the leg facet, brilliantly.
AS IT HAPPENED | KKR vs RCB HIGHLIGHTS
Together with Sunil Narine (44, 26b, 5×4, 3×6), who swung his bat to good impact, Rahane placed on a 103-run stand.
RCB’s Krunal Pandya appeals for a wicket towards KKR.
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RITU RAJ KONWAR/The Hindu
RCB’s Krunal Pandya appeals for a wicket towards KKR.
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RITU RAJ KONWAR/The Hindu
RCB claimed Narine and Rahane in fast succession across the midway stage. Narine was caught behind off Rasikh Dar, whereas Rahane pulled Krunal Pandya to backward square-leg.
RCB bowlers fought again with Krunal scalping Venkatesh Iyer and Rinku Singh along with his accuracy. RCB gained extra floor within the center overs and adopted it up with a medical end.