IPL 2019: Three talking points from KKR’s explosive win over RCB
Kolkata Knight Riders pulled off a miraculous win against Royal Challengers Bangalore at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru with a rampaging Andre Russell. After posting 205/3 in their 20 overs, RCB were favorites to win with KKR needing 53 runs from 18 balls. From there, Russell massacred every bowler in his sight and carried the team to a spectacular victory. Here are three talking points from this match.
KKR dare to drop AB de Villiers
AB de Villiers has two half-centuries this IPL, yet he has looked extremely rusty at the beginning of every innings. Even against KKR in this game, he started poorly. At one stage, ABD was 11 runs from 11 balls. He then decided to tonk Kuldeep, but the ball went straight up. Lockie Ferguson failed to complete the catch and the South African survived. Soon, ABD switched gears and finished with 63 from 32 balls. The drop helped RCB post a total beyond 200.
Russell Mania
Needing 53 runs from 18 balls, the match was all but over for KKR. Only two men thought differently – Andre Russell and Mohammed Siraj. Bowling the penultimate over, Siraj commenced with two dot balls. He then erred in length and bowled a height no-ball. Russell tonked it for a six and the mayhem began. His next eight balls yielded – 6,6,1,6,6,6,4,6. Russell’s unbeaten 48 from 13 balls helped KKR chase down 205 runs with five balls remaining.
RCB’s death bowling problem
The second most popular aspect (after VK-ABD duo) about RCB is their inability to find accurate death bowlers. The problem is chronic. It has lasted longer with RCB than a disease. Every year at the auction, fans hope for a game-changing signing, but it is yet to take place. Against KKR, RCB bowlers failed to defend 53 runs from 18 balls. Siraj bowled two dangerous no-balls and was ruled out of the bowling attack. Stoinis and Southee fed Russell hittable deliveries and the batsman duly obliged. The match was over with five balls still to bowl.
