IPL 2020: KKR vs RCB Review – Siraj spell paves the way for easy RCB win

The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) have further strengthened their position in the top four with a comfortable 8-wicket win over Kolkata Knight Riders. The night belonged to RCB’s bowlers who put on their best effort of the competition. The KKR batsmen literally had no answers to it after winning the toss and opting to bat first.

Mohammed Siraj was at his best knocking down the top order batsmen one after the other and his opening spell of 3-2-2-3 left KKR reeling at 14/4 in the fourth over. Dinesh Karthik also got out cheaply and when Pat Cummins’ wicket fell, one felt the game would end very early. At 40/6, things didn’t look good at all.

But skipper Eoin Morgan played some shots to score 30 runs and even when he was dismissed, the score was only 57. It was due to the 27-run stand between Ferguson and Kuldeep that KKR could reach 84/8 in their 20 overs. Siraj ended with the figures of 3/8 while Sundar and Chahal conceded 14 runs each in their 4 overs picking one and two wickets respectively.

The chase was never going to challenge RCB and the 46-run opening stand between Aaron Finch and Devdutt Padikkal made it a cakewalk for them. Virat Kohli and Gurkeerat Singh Mann joined hands after both openers fell and got the team over the line in the 14th over itself.

Top performers

Siraj

Records/Personal Milestones

  • Mohammed Siraj became the first bowler in the IPL to bowl two maidens
  • KKR registered the lowest team total in the history of IPL after playing out full 20 overs
  • Virat Kohli completed 500 fours in IPL

Way Ahead

KKR next face table-toppers Delhi Capitals on Saturday afternoon at the same venue while RCB will lock horns against the struggling Chennai Super Kings on Sunday afternoon in Dubai.