IPL 2022: Match 6, RCB vs KKR – Who Said What

The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) beat the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) outfit by three wickets in a low-scoring encounter at the Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy in Mumbai. Chasing a target of 129 for victory, the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) were reduced to 17/3, with their two batting superstars, Faf du Plessis and Virat Kohli, already back in the pavilion.

But then, a superb partnership of 45 runs between David Willey and Sherfane Rutherford steadied the RCB ship and helped the Faf du Plessis-led side to claw its way back into the match. Shahbaz Ahmed then came and struck a breezy 20-ball 27 with the willow, before Dinesh Karthik applied the finishing touches. Tim Southee was outstanding with the ball for the KKR side, picking up three wickets in his four-over spell, and conceding just 20 runs.

Earlier, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) struggled to find any momentum with the bat. No batter crossed even the 30-run mark, as the Knight Riders were bowled out for a total of 128. Andre Russell top-scored for the Shreyas Iyer-led side, and scored a quick 25 off 18 deliveries. Wanindu Hasaranga spun his web around the KKR batters, scalping four wickets in the four overs that he bowled, and also giving away runs at a miserly economy rate of five.

Losing skipper Shreyas Iyer said:

I really found this game exciting. Before getting in, I spoke with my boys and told them that this game is going to define our character and attitude on the field no matter we defend or not. The way we fight it on the ground, that is really going to reflect our mentality in the next few games.

I am really proud the way we played this game and took it till the last over. It was really tough at that moment because I wanted to get my best bowlers up there and get a few wickets early on but it didn’t work out really well.

Kudos to their batsmen, they played really well out in the middle. They took out the toughest phase as soon as possible. In the end, I decided to go with Venky because he’s also got really good experience bowling at the international level and you need to back them especially at the start of the tournament. It’s really important they gain confidence as early as possible and this was one of the best games to get that.

Winning skipper Faf du Plessis said:

Very happy. Close small margins games are very important at the start. Small score, we just tried to be positive but very good bowling from their seamers. The ball swung a little earlier but today there was seam and bounce. Two-three days ago, it was 200 and today it was 130.

We would like to be more convincing. Just the experience. The runs were never a problem. We just needed to have wickets in hand. DK is as close as it gets to MS Dhoni when it comes to being ice cool. I rely on other people for help. We have great people in the camp. There is good communication in the group. The guys have been great. They have been supportive. They are coming to me with ideas.

Player of the Match Wanindu Hasaranga said:

Crucial situation, I got only four and got out. I am really happy. Especially with the dew it is very hard to bowl. My favourite footballer is Neymar and that is his celebration which I do. When I go play, I don’t take any pressure. That’s why I feel I got success.