JOIN USThe only way to defend a low total is to come out firing all cylinders from the word go. Kolkata Knight Riders did just that as they sent Royal Challengers Bangalore packing for a paltry 49 while safeguarding a target of 132 on Sunday.
Opening fast bowlers Nathan Coulter-Nile and Umesh Yadav were on the money from the first ball, claiming 3/21 and 1/15 respectively to set the stage up nicely before Chris Woakes (3/6) and Colin de Grandhomme (3/4) ran riot to leave the Eden Gardens crowd delirious. England all-rounder Woakes said the wreckage caused by Coulter-Nile and Umesh made things easier for him and de Grandhomme.
“Obviously we were little bit down (at the) halfway stage. We knew we were a little bit under par to say the least. But the captain asked us to show some intent and some pride. The opening bowlers set the tone for us. The fact that they came out firing, took some early wickets and really got us back in the game. From there on it was just trying to put the ball in right areas,” said Woakes at the post-match press conference.
Woakes opined there was nothing wrong with the wicket and it was just good bowling and poor batting from RCB. “We got off to a good start, we were 80 odd for four after 10 overs. It proved that it actually was a decent wicket. We lost wickets through the middle which in a T20 game is always quite crucial. If we take wickets it's always hard to get going again. We were under-par, thought 160-170 was probably par on that wicket. We obviously did not bat very well but they also did not bat well. At the same time we bowled well. Sometime you have to just doff your hat to some good bowling.”