RCB stars put KKR to the sword
Royal Challenge Bangalore coasted to a nine-wicket victory on Monday as they chased down the Kolkota Knight Riders' impressive target of 184 with ease.
KKR would have been feeling reasonably happy with their decent total, but it proved no match for RCB's world star batting line-up, as Chris Gayle, Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers all made valuable contributions in a winning chase.
Following the early dismissal of Robin Uthappa, Guatam Gambhir and Manish Pandey combined smartly for the home side, each contributing half centuries and putting on 76 runs for the second wicket before Gambhir was run out.
Yusuf Pathan would not last long, but Andre Russell continued to show his value with a quickfire 39 runs at a strike rate of over 200.
Together with Pandey and Skahib Al Hasan, Russell helped KKR to a defendable total of 183/5.
KKR's chances were always going to rely on their ability to dismiss at least some of the RCB stars cheaply, but their bowlers couldn't do the job on this occasion.
Openers Chris Gayle and Virat Kohli both got in on the act, putting on 71 runs for the first wicket in just over seven overs before Gayle was caught in front by his countryman Sunil Narine.
That brought AB de Villiers to the crease and he and Kohli would be unmoved for the remainder of the innings.
The duo's surge towards the KKR total was unstoppable on the day, as they dominated all of the bowlers to wrap up the result with eight balls to spare.
Kohli hit five fours and three sixes on the way to 75 not out from 51 balls, while De Villiers smashed the same amount of boundaries in his 59, which came at a superb strike rate of 190.
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.