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
-
NewsSri Lanka v England Day 2: Joe Root excels alongside Dan Lawrence
The England captain and his new team-mate added 173 to build England’s advantage.
-
NewsNine rookies in Pakistan squad for South Africa series
Pakistan have included nine uncapped players in their 20-man squad for the two-Tests against South Africa, starting on January 26.
-
NewsLabuschagne upset after not scoring ‘big’ hundred
Australia’s Marnus Labuschagne might have been the star of the show on the first day of the fourth Test against India.
-
NewsJoe Root backs up plea for strong England start with century against Sri Lanka
The skipper had urged his team to impress from the word go and led by example with 168 not out in Galle.
-
NewsJoe Root century strengthens England’s grip on first Test against Sri Lanka
Dan Lawrence hits 73 on debut as England reach 320 for four at tea, a lead of 185.
-
NewsEngland captain Joe Root celebrates a century against Sri Lanka
Root brought up his 18th Test ton after being stranded on 99 at lunch in Galle.
-
NewsJoe Root 99 not out at lunch as England look to build big advantage
Root and Test debutant Dan Lawrence have steered the tourists to a lead of 71 with seven wickets intact.
-
NewsHeather Knight excited by freedom on offer after New Zealand quarantine
England Women will be able to break out of the coronavirus ‘bubble’ lifestyle in a country which has effectively contained the disease.
-
NewsSri Lanka v England day one: Tourists carve out dominant performance in Galle
The tourists skittled Sri Lanka for 135 then replied with 127 for two.
-
NewsStuart Broad and England in ‘dream world’ after superb first day in Sri Lanka
Broad took three wickets and Dom Bess five before Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow took England within eight runs of their hosts’ total.