Its the second match of this super second where the Royal Challengers Bangalore host the Kolkata Knight Riders in this Match 29 of this Vivo IPL 2018. See how Chris Lynn takes KKR to a victory as RCB make it very difficult for themselves to reach the playoffs.
Build Up
RCB need the luck going their way as they are 7th in the points table. On the other hand, KKR has lost their last two matches but still in the top 4. KKR won the first match between the two teams by 4 wickets.
Toss
KKR won the toss and elected to bowl first. RCB make a few changes to their side. Dude to AB de Villiers’ sickness, Tim Southee comes in to replace him. Brendon McCullum, Manan Vohra and M Ashwin come in too. KKR went unchanged.
Bangalore’s Batting
Quinton de Kock and Brendon McCullum have given aggressive charge at the bowlers but haven’t been to score at the pace at which he would’ve liked so far. But the RCB batsmen managed to lose no early wickets. de Kock and McCullum built a partnership of 67 for the first wicket before Quinton de Kock went back to the pavilion for 29. RCB lost 3 wickets for just 8 runs before Kohli tried to bring things back on track.
The home team really missed AB as they were able to score only 175 at the loss of 4 wickets in their 20 overs. Virat Kohli being the star batsmen scored 68 in 44 hitting 5 fours and 3 sixes. The captain was disappointed with the total in the end.
KKR’s Bowling
The bowlers started well as they didn’t let the two openers to score freely. KKR got the wicket of Quinton de Kock in the 8th over. Kolkata tightened the screws on Bangalore as they got 3 quick wickets giving away just 8 runs. Virat Kohli took the bowlers to the fence and KKR will be relatively happy with the total that they have to chase. With just 175 on the board, they will be hoping their batsmen can do the work now. Andre Russell got 3 wickets giving away 31 in his 3 overs.
Kolkata’s Chase
The batsmen started well as both Narine and Lynn were together for the 50 run partnership before Narine gave his wicket away to M. Ashwin as he went back for 27 in 19. There was a slight rain stoppage as well which helped the batting team. Robin Uthappa and Lynn took the team forward before Uthappa went for 36. Kolkata Knight Riders lost a couple of quick wickets and saw Rana retired hurt. But it was Chris Lynn who stayed there at the crease to take KKR home as they won by 6 wickets. Dinesh Karthik played a cameo at the end as he scored 23 in 10 balls.
RCB’s Bowling
The team would have liked some early tickets to get them a good chance to defend the total but that wasn’t the case as Narine and Lynn played well for a decent opening partnership. Ashwin got the important wicket of Sunil Narine. RCB tried their best to slow the scoring rate and get wickets but in the end, the target was just a little below par as RCB suffered yet another loss. The road to playoffs is nearly over for RCB making it very difficult for them to finish top 4.
Man Of The Match
It was Chris Lynn’s well-constructed innings that took KKR to a victory as he scored 62 in 52 balls hitting 7 fours and 1 six.
Click here to see how SRH defended another small total to make it 3 wins in a row.
