IPL 2019: Key talking points from KKR’s defeat against RCB

Kolkata Knight Riders continued their losing streak in IPL 2019, succumbing to a defeat at home against the Royal Challengers Bangalore. The 10-run defeat means that KKR have now lost four matches in a row and have an uphill tasks on their hands to qualify for the playoffs. Bangalore though can revel in the joy of their victory, an occasion which they have only experienced for the second time this season. RCB put up a massive score of 213-4 on the board courtesy Virat Kohli’s 100 and their bowlers managed to contain KKR to 203-5.

Here we take a look at the key talking points from the high-scoring contest at the Eden Gardens.

Kohli’s form a positive for India

Virat Kohli played one of the best knocks in this edition of tournament, scoring a fine century. This was the 5th century in his IPL career and one of which he will be immensely proud of. The RCB skipper accelerated at the perfect moment, taking the team home to a big score of 213-4, which proved too big a target for KKR to chase down. The knock will also bode well for the Indian team, with their skipper peaking at the perfect moment ahead of the 2019 World Cup in England, where he will be the key to the chances of the team. Kohli has had an underwhelming tournament with the bat so far and the relief was clearly visible in his eyes after he completed the milestone.

Kuldeep Yadav’s form a concern for KKR

Kuldeep Yadav is now an established campaigner at the international level, having become one of the finest spinners around the world. With his growing standing in the game, the expectations have also risen and KKR were banking on him to become their primary strike bowler. But the Chinaman has had a disappointing campaign this season, picking up only 4 wickets in 9 games. He has also not managed to contain the opposition from scoring, with an economy rate of 8.66. He was poor against RCB as well, conceding 59 runs in his spell and picking up a single solitary wicket. With KKR now facing do-or-die consequences in the tournament, Kuldeep will have to pick up his game soon.

KKR too reliant on Russell

Andre Russell has unarguably been Kolkata’s star performer this season. Such has been his impact that it is difficult to imagine KKR being a competitive unit without the big Caribbean in their ranks. Against RCB, he almost took his team home, scoring a rapid 65 off only 25 deliveries. But Russell is bound to have a bad game at one point in the tournament and Kolkata seem to have no answers in their batting unit if such a scenario arises. The rest of the batting order, including skipper Dinesh Karthik will have to step up and lend better support to Russell, if KKR want to embark on a winning streak and qualify for the playoffs.