IPL 2020: 3 Mistakes committed by the losing side in RCB vs KKR

Kolkata Knight Riders lost their third game of the tournament as RCB defeated them in a scintillating manner. The ground was small in size and AB de Villiers climbed onto the opportunity to slam massive sixes. KKR tried to control the game on several occasions but Bangalore team was too good for them in tonight’s RCB vs KKR clash.

With an exciting finish, RCB scored 194 runs in their quota of 20 overs. Even though the conditions looked batting friendly, the pitch became slower in the second half and RCB bowled brilliantly to restrict KKR from getting closer to the massive total. With this defeat, KKR have lost three out of their seven games. Their playoffs chances are still bright but they need to figure out a way to perform better and to get the momentum on their side.

Here are the three mistakes committed by KKR in Match 28, RCB vs KKR:-

1. Not playing an extra bowler

KKR is one of the few sides in the tournament, who have the luxury of having 6 decent bowling options. However, as Sunil Narine wasn’t playing this game, KKR should have replaced the spinner with a genuine bowler or Chris Green, a bowling all-rounder. The relevance of the sixth bowler was much larger in this game, considering that it was happening at Sharjah, a batting-friendly ground.

Also, the only spinner that they played, Varun Chakravarthy, utilised the grip available from the pitch quite brilliantly and bowled an economical spell. However, Tom Banton made his way into the team to strengthen their batting order and the move led RCB to put on a massive total.

2. Displacing their in-form opener, Rahul Tripathi

Rahul Tripathi has been one of the most attacking and successful batsmen of KKR in this season. He played an outstanding knock against CSK last week and KKR won that game quite comfortably. However, despite having such a positive player on their side, they opened with debutant Tom Banton. The surprising move failed and KKR couldn’t get a solid start in such a difficult chase.

3. Not sending their big hitters early on

KKR have Eoin Morgan and Andre Russell in their ranks, who are regarded as one of the best hitters of the game. As the total was big, one of these two batsmen could have been promoted up the order to bat at number 3, as the required rate kept on climbing. The slow start meant that KKR put on only 61 runs in the first 10 overs. As there were too many runs left for the last 10 overs, they were not able to get closer to the target.