KKR beat RCB, record their 50th win at Eden Gardens
Kolkata Knight Riders have beaten Royal Challengers Bengaluru by a solitary run in Match 36 of the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL). While Shreyas Iyer's 50 helped KKR compile 222/6 while batting first, RCB (221/10) fell short as fiery fifties from Will Jacks and Rajat Patidar went in vain. This was KKR's 50th IPL win at the Eden Gardens. Here are the key stats.
KKR post a massive total
Philip Salt's 14-ball 48 in the powerplay meant KKR compiled 75/3 in the powerplay. Though the Knight Riders lost wickets at regular intervals, the scoring rate never came too down. Iyer held the innings at one end with a 36-ball 50. Rinku Singh (24), Andre Russell (27*), and Ramandeep Singh (24*) also contributed as KKR posted 222/6.
How did RCB's chase pan out?
Virat Kohli (18) and Faf du Plessis (7) couldn't bat long as RCB were reduced to 35/2. Jacks and Patidar then joined forces as there was a surge in the scoring rate. They added 102 runs in just eight overs. However, RCB then lost wickets in a cluster and were eventually folded for 221. Suyash Prabhudessai's 24 and Dinesh Karthik's 25 went in vain.
KKR's highest total against RCB
As mentioned, KKR posted their joint-highest team total against RCB as they piled the same score (222/3) in the inaugural IPL match in 2008. As per ESPNcricinfo, Knight Riders overall recorded their joint-fifth-highest total in IPL history. KKR also recorded their third-highest total in IPL 2024. Meanwhile, this was also the sixth-highest IPL team total at the Eden Gardens.
Most 220-plus scores in a season
This was KKR's third 220-plus total in IPL 2024 as they earlier recorded 272/7 against Delhi Capitals and 223/6 against Rajasthan Royals. The aforementioned score against DC is also KKR's highest-ever team total. Only Chennai Super Kings (3 in 2023) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (3 in 2024) have as many 220-plus scores in a single IPL season.
The Salt onslaught
Salt was aggressive from the outset as he made a fiery 48 off just 14 balls. His fiery knock was laced with seven boundaries and two sixes. Notably, the dasher smashed Lockie Ferguson for 28 runs in the fourth over. With this knock, he has raced to 249 runs this season at a strike rate of 169.38.
Fine fifty from Iyer
Iyer scored his maiden half-century in IPL 2024 as he ended up scoring a 36-ball 50 (7 fours, 1 six). He has raced to 2,966 IPL runs at a strike rate of 125.51 (50s: 20). 591 of his runs have come for KKR. He now owns 393 runs against RCB (50s: 4). The batter has tallied 190 runs at 38 this season.
Most wickets for RCB among active players
Mohammed Siraj, who claimed 1/40 in four overs, has become the third-highest wicket-taker for RCB in IPL. The pacer now tallies 73 scalps in 80 games for RCB at 32.64. He is only behind Yuzvendra Chahal (139) and Harshal Patel (99) on this list. Siraj overall owns 83 IPL wickets (14 versus KKR).
Maiden fifty for Jacks
This was Jacks's maiden IPL fifty as he made 55 off just 32 balls, a knock laced with four boundaries and five sixes. He has raced to 70 IPL runs, striking at 166.67. In T20 cricket, the batter now tallies 4200 runs in 160 games at 29.57. His strike rate reads 158.79 as the tally now includes 31 fifties besides three tons.
A look at Patidar's numbers
As per Cricbuzz, Patidar recorded the joint-third-fastest fifty for RCB, off 21 balls. He ended up scoring 52 off just 23 balls (5 sixes, 3 fours). The batter has raced to 565 runs across 20 IPL games at a strike rate of 148.68 (50s: 4, 100: 1). Patidar has raced to 161 runs in IPL 2024 at a strike rate of 161 (50s: 2).
Match-changing spell from Russell
Andre Russell shifted the momentum in KKR's favor by dismissing both Patidar and Jacks in the 12th over. Karthik was his other victim as he finished with 3/25 in three overs. With this spell, he has raced to 105 IPL scalps at 23.66. The pacer has tallied nine wickets in IPL 2024 at an economy of 10.05.
Second team to get this feat
Playing their 85th IPL game at the Eden Gardens, KKR now boast 50 wins and 35 defeats. Only Mumbai Indians (50 at the Wankhede Stadium) have as many IPL wins at a single venue.
Key updates in the points table
This was RCB's seventh win in eight games this season as they continue to reel at the bottom of the points table (NRR: -1.046). KKR, meanwhile, hold the second position with five wins in seven games (+1.206).
