IPL 2018: Despite Chris Gayle’s consistent heroics, KKR hold 11-9 lead over RCB

The third match of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2018 will see former champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) taking on three-time runners-up Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in a home game at the Eden Gardens. The rivalry between these two teams has been absorbing in the past editions, especially under the captaincies of Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli – both of whom have been aggressive in their styles. However, one should not forget the unbeaten 158 that Brendon McCullum had hit for KKR against RCB in the very first IPL game in Bengaluru in 2008. It remains KKR’s only century in the mega event till date.

Another significant factor in the KKR-RCB rivalry has been Chris Gayle. The smashing left-handed batsman had started his IPL stint for KKR but was reportedly not happy with it and let his bat do the talking for him when he took on the same team for RCB. However, IPL 11 will neither see Gambhir captaining KKR nor Gayle taking the stance for RCB as they have changed teams.

That would not, however, steal the sheen off the contest between these two magnificent teams in this edition under Dinesh Karthik (KKR) and Kohli who will be desperate to win the first title for his RCB fans. Kohli would still remember the 49 all out humiliation they suffered in the hands of KKR at the Eden Gardens last year.

Here is a look at the brief results if KKR vs RCB matches from the past:

2008:

Game 1: KKR won by 140 runs at Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
KKR 222/3 in 20 overs; RCB 82 all out in 15.1 overs. Brendon McCullum (KKR) was MoM for 158 not out in 73 balls

Game 2: KKR won by 5 runs at Eden Gardens, Kolkata
KKR 129/7 in 16 overs; RCB 124/4 in 16 overs. Sourav Ganguly (KKR) was MoM for scoring 20 runs and taking 1 wicket for 7 runs in 3 overs. The match was reduced to 16 overs because of rain.

2009:

Game 1: RCB won by 5 wickets at Kingsmead, Durban
KKR 139/6 in 20 overs; RCB 143/5 in 19.5 overs. Marck Boucher (RCB) was MoM for scoring 25 not out of 13 balls.

Game 2: RCB won by 6 wickets at SuperSport Park, Centurion
KKR 173/4 in 20 overs; RCB 176/4 in 19.2 overs. Ross Taylor (RCB) was MoM for scoring 81 not out of 33 balls.

2010:

Game 1: KKR won by 7 wickets at Eden Gardens
RCB 135/7 in 20 overs; KKR 136/3 in 19.2 overs. Manoj Tiwary (KKR) was MoM for scoring 50 off 29 balls.

Game 2: RCB won by 7 wickets at Chinnaswamy Stadium
KKR 160/9 in 20 overs; RCB 164/3 in 17.1 overs. Vinay Kumar (RCB) was MoM for taking 3 wickets for 23.

2011:

Game 1: RCB won by 9 wickets at Eden Gardens
KKR 171/5 in 20 overs; RCB 175/1 in 18.1 overs. Chris Gayle (RCB) was MoM for scoring 102 not out in 55 balls.

Game 2: RCB won by 4 wickets in Duckworth-Lewis method at Chinnaswamy Stadium
KKR 89/4 in 13 overs; RCB 105/6 in 12.3 overs. Gayle (RCB) was MoM for scoring 38 off 12 balls.

2012:

Game 1: KKR won by 42 runs at Chinnaswamy Stadium
KKR 165/8 in 20 overs; RCB 123/9 in 20 overs. Lakshmipathy Balaji (KKR) was MoM for taking 4 wickets for 18 runs.

Game 2: KKR won by 47 runs at Eden Gardens
KKR 190/4 in 20 overs; RCB 143/6 in 20 overs. Gautam Gambhir (KKR) was MoM for scoring 93 off 51 balls.

2013:

Game 1: RCB won by 8 wickets at Chinnaswamy Stadium
KKR 154/8 in 20 overs; RCB 158/2 in 17.3 overs. Gayle (RCB) was MoM for scoring 85 not out off 50 balls.

Game 2: KKR won by 5 wickets at Eden Gardens
RCB 115/9 in 20 overs; KKR 116/5 in 19.2 overs. Jacques Kallis (KKR) was MoM for scoring 41 off 45 balls.

2014:

Game 1: KKR won by 2 runs at Sharjah Cricket Stadium
KKR 150/7 in 20 overs; RCB 148 /5 in 20 overs. Chris Lynn (KKR) was MoM for scoring 45 off 31 balls.

Game 2: KKR won by 30 runs at Eden Gardens
KKR 195/4 in 20 overs; RCB 165/5 in 20 overs. Robin Uthappa (KKR) was MoM for scoring unbeaten 83 off 51 balls.

2015:

Game 1: RCB won by 3 wickets at Eden Gardens
KKR 177/6 in 20 overs; RCB 179/7 in 19 overs. Gayle (RCB) was MoM for scoring 96 off 56 balls.

Game 2: RCB won by 7 wickets at Chinnaswamy Stadium
KKR 111/4 in 10 overs; RCB 115/3 in 9.4 overs. Mandeep Singh (RCB) was MoM for scoring 45 not out off 18 balls. The match was reduced to 10 overs because of rain.

2016:

Game 1: KKR won by 5 wickets at Chinnaswamy Stadium
RCB 185/7 in 20 overs; KKR 189/5 in 19 overs. Andre Russell (KKR) was MoM for scoring 39 off 24 deliveries and taking 1 wicket for 24 runs.

Game 2: RCB won by 9 wickets at Eden Gardens
KKR 183/5 in 20 overs; RCB 186/1 in 18 overs. Virat Kohli was MoM for scoring 75 not out off 51 balls.

2017:

Game 1: KKR won by 82 runs at Eden Gardens
KKR 131 all out in 19.3 overs; RCB 49 all out in 9.4 overs. Nathan Coulter-Nile (KKR) was MoM for taking 3 wickets for 23 runs.

Game 2: KKR won by 6 wickets at Chinnaswamy Stadium
RCB 158/6 in 20 overs; KKR 159/4 in 15.1 overs. Sunil Narine (KKR) was MoM for taking 2 wickets for 29 runs and scoring 54 runs off 17 balls.