IPL 2024: Kolkata Knight Riders vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru, 36th Match - Who Said What?

On being invited to bat first, the Kolkata Knight Riders, and in particular, Philip Salt, got off to an absolute flier, hoarding 55 runs in the first four overs, including a 28-run over off Lockie Ferguson.

Sunil Narine had an uncharacteristic off-day with the bat, in light of the opposition against whom he's always had a go. The last over of the powerplay was action-packed, with wickets of Narine and young Angkrish Raghuvanshi turning the tables, although the home side had already garnered 75 in the powerplay. Skipper Shreyas Iyer played a captain's knock scoring 50 (36), with a late blitz from Ramandeep Singh of 24* off 9 helping KKR post a total of 222/6 in their 20 overs.

In response, all eyes were on the openers to fire. However, Faf du Plessis departed early, without making any impact. Kohli was looking set with a couple of big ones off Rana and Starc but got dismissed by Delhi-born Harshit Rana in a controversial caught & bowled call.

Will Jacks and Rajat Patidar were involved in a stunning 102-run partnership off just 48 deliveries, with both of them scoring half-centuries in rapid fashion. However, a stunning first over of Andre Russell sent both the set batters back in the hut, with RCB being left all to do in the remainder of the game.

A couple of 20s from Impact Player, Suyash Prabhudessai and Dinesh Karthik just about kept RCB in the game, but a late burst by Karn Sharma reignited hopes of an improbable RCB victory with three sixes on the first four deliveries of the final over bowled by Mitchell Starc, but agonisingly fell short by one run at the end.

Talking Points

1. Philip Salt rubs salt into RCB's bowling woes

Having blown fairly hot and cold with the bat in this season's IPL, Salt finally showed what his true capabilities were by absolutely obliterating the RCB attack, bludgeoning each of RCB's new-ball bowlers, in an innings which well and truly set the tone for KKR to go hammer and tongs after him getting dismissed for a prompt 48 off 14, in an innings entailing seven fours and three sixes.

2. Karn Sharma makes an instant impact

Karn Sharma playing only his second game in IPL 2024 utilised the rare opportunity coming his way with both hands - with both ball and bat. The wrist-spinner just conceded 33 in his quota and took the match right down to the wire with his three maximums off Starc's bowling.

3. Starc's poor IPL 2024 campaign continues

Even though the Aussie ultimately defended 21 runs off the final over of the game to grant KKR their fifth win of their campaign, Starc gave away 55 colossal runs in his three overs, with this being the third instance he's exceeded the 50-run mark with the ball. Possessing an economy of 11.48 in the current edition, Starc's bowling seems to be a concerning factor for KKR going forward.

Who Said What?

Losing skipper Faf du Plessis:

"It was crazy. Rules are rules, Virat and myself in that space thought the ball was higher than his waist. You always find one team happy and the other not so with such decisions. With a target like 220, takes a hell of a lot to get there. When you haven't won for a while, just that clarity. Narine's over was the turning point for me. We feel like the game is changing. We don't feel like there is time to get in. Guys who take 7-8 balls to get in, it feels like the game does not allow you to do that anymore. It is tough. You just play the match-up with Narine, he is such a quality bowler. If you are winning games and get the confidence of getting the team over the line, you take such decisions. I am proud of the boys, a lot of fight out there. We though the total was chaseable and thought it was a par score. You have to maximize the powerplay, and be okay with losing two or three wickets. We are as desperate. That's why I am saying I am proud. Guys put their bodies on the line. We are just as desperate to get back to winning ways. We have an unbelievable fan base. The RCB chant is the loudest. Desperately want to make our fans proud."

Winning skipper Shreyas Iyer:

"It was a pivotal knock. Wanted to stay till the end and see if I can hit fours here and there. The players walking with me were rotating the strike, that I was happy about. Want to continue in the same vein."

Player of the Match Andre Russell:

"I always back my bowling. Getting the ball in a crucial time, I know I have to come good. Happy for the two points. When I was batting earlier, change-ups were difficult to hit. As a bowler, that is what I tried - length balls, slower cutters, it was gripping on the surface. I was happy to get the two set batters out, and that's what changed the game. When I look at the bowling equation, Harshit had one, Starcy had one, I had two. So, my aim was to bowl an important over and give Starcy as much to defend. I was looking to bowl six deliveries at DK and mixing up with the short ones and slower ones. Worked well tonight."