IPL: Royal Challengers Bangalore v Kolkata Knight Riders: Talking Points

Oct 22, 2020

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IPL: Royal Challengers Bangalore v Kolkata Knight Riders: Talking Points Image

Royal Challengers Bangalore thrashed the Kolkata Knight Riders for the second time in the Indian Premier League 2020 to strengthen their position in the points table. RCB now sits in the second position in the points table after the end of 39 matches in the group stage.

RCB’s Bowling masterclass
It was a brilliant performance from the RCB bowlers from the very beginning. After a very tight first over from Chris Morris, Mohammad Siraj came to bowl the second over and took two back-to-back wickets to finish with a double wicket maiden. Navdeep Saini picked up Shubman Gill next and when Siraj bowled another maiden-wicket over, Kolkata Knight Riders were tottering at 4/14. Siraj bowled with brilliant skill and accuracy and after two maiden overs his analysis read three wickets for 0 runs.

He finished with three for eight runs in his four overs. The RCB spinners ensured that the pressure was there and KKR already lost too many wickets to take any risk. Yuzvendra Chahal and Washington Sundar combined to bowl eight overs for just 29 runs and picked up three wickets. KKR could score only 84 for the loss of eight wickets in 20 overs.

Lack of accountability from KKR
As the teams are moving towards the business end of the tournament, more gaping holes are appearing for KKR. Their young Indian batsmen are too inconsistent and lacking the form to play big innings. Every time it is coming down to Eoin Morgan to rescue the innings. Also, their impactful overseas players are suffering from various issues like injury, form, and controversy. Andre Russell did not deliver with bat even once this season and he missed this match as he was injured.

Sunil Narine is cleared to bowl but still away from the first eleven. Pat Cummins is bowling at a level to justify his massive price tag and even Tom Banton failed to show his hitting power in the two matches he played.

 

RCB’s net-run-rate jump

Royal Challengers Bangalore did not just jump to second place on the points table after getting to 14 points from 10 games played, but also had their net-run-rate (NRR) to +0.182.

Given how closely contested the games have been and there being very little to differentiate between the teams at the top of the points table, a positive NRR is a big boost for RCB’s qualification hopes.

On the other hand for KKR, a big set-back in their hope to make it to the play-offs. With some big losses KKR’s Net Run Rate got a hit and now they must win at least three out of their last four matches to avoid any dependency in their qualification scenario.