KKR's title defence continues to crumble
The Royal Challengers Bangalore's campaign gathered momentum on Thursday as they recorded an effortless eight-wicket win over the Kolkata Knight Riders, with Chris Gayle leading the charge with a half century.
The Royal Challengers Bangalore's campaign gathered momentum on Thursday as they recorded an effortless eight-wicket win over the Kolkata Knight Riders, with Chris Gayle leading the charge with a half century.
The West Indian opener was in full command as the hosts reached the 155 required with 15 balls to spare, Gayle striking four boundaries and nine sixes in his 50-ball knock of 85.
The Knight Riders, doing a poor job of defending their title thus far this season, had earlier made 154 for eight, thanks in large part to skipper Gautam Gambhir's relatively sedate 59, while RP Singh took three wickets and affected a run out.
The Gambhir knock was the backbone of the Kolkata innings, as they lost wickets regularly and the final three overs saw four wickets tumble. Yusuf Pathan and Manoj Tiwary chipped in with knocks of 27 and 23, but the score was never going to be enough.
Bangalore, coming off a big win in their previous game thanks to a 93 from Virat Kohli, were again imperious as their world class top order fired. Kohli added 35 to his tally for the tournament, retaining the orange cap.
There was a moment of drama when Kohli was dismissed, and he got into a near-physical confrontation with India team-mate Gambhir. The cause didn't appear obvious though, and it required intervention from KKR's Rajat Bhatia to get Kohli on his way off the field.
Gayle continued unperturbed, with AB de Villiers at his side. The South African added 22 runs of his own but let his big-hitting colleague do the damage and finished the game ahead of schedule.
Latest
-
News
On this day in 2018: Australian trio banned after ball-tampering saga
The trio were handed their punishments on March 28, 2018.
-
County Cricket
Surrey stars eager to help Alec Stewart sign off with more silverware
Stewart has guided Surrey to three County Championship wins during his decade in charge.
-
Women's Cricket
Maia Bouchier smashes 91 as England Women seal T20 series victory
England made 177 for three and then restricted New Zealand to 130 for seven.
-
County Cricket
Yorkshire boosted by Harry Brook and Joe Root’s early-season availability
Both players are not at the Indian Premier League.
-
England
Ollie Pope ‘itching’ to get back scoring runs after ‘frustrating’ tour of India
The England vice-captain hit a superb 196 in Hyderabad, but averaged only 14.75 in the next four Tests of the India series.
-
Women's Cricket
Ellyse Perry says Ashes Test at MCG ‘amazing’ but unsure about four-day return
Australia will host England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the Women’s Ashes early next year.
-
County Cricket
Harry Brook set to return for start of Yorkshire’s County Championship campaign
Brook withdrew from England’s Test tour of India in January due to personal reasons.
-
England
England spinner Tom Hartley expects his exploits in India to be ‘life changing’
Hartley’s second-innings haul of seven for 62 in Hyderabad delivered one England’s greatest ever overseas victories.
-
Women's Cricket
Heather Knight urges more composure from England after New Zealand collapse
The tourists needed just 29 from 29 balls with eight wickets in hand.
-
Australia
On this day in 2018: Australia ‘sandpapergate’ ball-tampering controversy erupts
The incident led to Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft being banned from playing for Australia.