IPL 2021, Eliminator: RCB vs KKR, Stats Review: Sunil Narine’s record-breaking performance ends RCB’s campaign

The Indian Premier League continues to be elusive for Royal Challengers Bangalore! Kolkata Knight Riders defeated RCB by four wickets in the Eliminator, knocking the Bangalore-based side out of IPL 2021. With this, an era also came to an end. Virat Kohli had announced he’ll step down as RCB captain after the completion of this season.

As the Challengers can’t go any further, the Eliminator proved to be Kohli’s leadership assignment for RCB. Speaking of how the game unfolded, Virat Kohli won the toss in the crucial encounter and surprisingly opted to bat at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. Bangalore got off to a stellar start with Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal adding 49 runs for the first wicket.

However, Sunil Narine wreaked havoc in the middle overs as the likes of Glenn Maxwell and AB de Villiers couldn’t make any significant contribution. As a result, RCB posted 138/7 in their allotted 20 overs. KKR’s chase went pretty smooth for the best part as multiple players contributed from the top order.

Although fall of quick wickets did create some drama, KKR eventually crossed the line with two balls to spare. Meanwhile, KKR will now meet Delhi Capitals in Qualifier 2 with a place in the final at stake.

Meanwhile, here are the important stats and numbers from the RCB vs KKR Eliminator clash in IPL 2021:

16 – This was KKR’s 16th victory in IPL against RCB. They have only defeated Punjab Kings (19) more often.

2 – Virat Kohli became the second Indian after Shikhar Dhawan to hit 900 fours in T20 cricket. Overall, he’s the seventh player to get the landmark.

32 – Harshal Patel now jointly holds the record of taking most wickets in an IPL season (32). Dwayne Bravo took as many wickets in 2013.

50 – Mohammed Siraj completed 50 wickets in the Indian Premier League.

4/21 – Sunil Narine recorded the best figures by a KKR bowler in a playoff match, 4/21. Umesh Yadav (3/13) held the record previously.

8 –Narine now has eight four-wicket hauls in IPL, most for any player. The off-spinner previously shared the record with Lasith Malinga (7).

3 – Narine also became the first player to take three four-wicket hauls against a team in IPL.

8 – This was the eighth instance of Kohli scoring over 400 runs in an IPL season. Only Suresh Raina (9) is ahead of him on this list.

5 – Glenn Maxwell became the fifth batter to complete 500 runs in an IPL season.

4 – Narine dismissed AB de Villiers for the fourth time in IPL. Only Krunal Pandya, Piyush Chawla, and Shreyas Gopal have dismissed him as many times.

42 – Yuzvendra Chahal now has 42 IPL wickets in UAE, joint-most for any bowler. He shares the record with Jasprit Bumrah.