IPL 2021 Kolkata Knight Riders vs Royal Challengers Bangalore highlights: KKR beat RCB by 9 wickets

Enduring a forgettable outing in the first half of this year's IPL, two-time former champions Kolkata Knight Riders would look for reversal of fortunes when they resume their campaign against Royal Challengers Bangalore in the second phase of T20 league on Monday at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. Stay tuned to DH for live updates.

With this thumping win over RCB, KKR move to the fifth spot on the points table with6 points from 8 games. RCB remain third in the league with10 points from 8 matches. Tomorrow we shall see Rajasthan Royals taking on Punjab Kings at Dubai International Cricket stadium. Join us for the coverage of that match. Goodnight for now!

Player of the Match

KKR's VarunChakravarthy wins the Player of the Match award. The spinner bowled a brilliant spell of 4-0-13-3.

Varun Chakravarthy:I try to assess the pitch first. It was flat only. Would like to give credit to the bowlers who bowled in the powerplay for the discipline. There wasn't much in the pitch. Wasn't much spin on offer so I had to keep it on the stumps. I thought it was outon the hattrick ballbut just saw the replay that there was an inside edge. Definitely made me feel better, and got a sense of acceptance from the people around me. Started very late in my career. Now me getting picked for India gives me a sense of acceptance.

Eoin Morgan, KKR captain:Very rarely do you perform as well as we have today. The talent we have within our squad, it counts for nothing, you have to still go out and show how strong you are and we did today. I didn't think the wicket changed a great deal, RCB started well, but taking a wicket at the backend of the PP changed things for us. Collectively, we took valuable wickets. Maxwell,de Villiers andVirat - we managed to get on top of all of them, it isvery rare as well. As a group, with the expressive nature with which the guys play, playing under me or Baz, should be an absolute treat. We're not going to knock people for playing their shots. We have a long way to go, need a lot of things to go right. Today isthe right start, need that run of confidence. We haven't turned up for the majority of the tournament, but today was a great start.

Virat Kohli, RCB captain: It was important to get a good partnership. We didn't expect that much dew to kick in that early. From 42 for 1, we lost 5 wickets for 20-odd. the loss is a bit of a wake-up call, we might as well have this at the start of the second leg so that we know what we should work on. You can make the argument that we were rusty but as professionals, you are expected to turn up and adjust. Sometimes it can take you a game, I hope not two, to get into the tournament, you have to stay with the eight-ball, if you're not, the other teams will be all over you. Pretty good from Varun, he isgoing to be a key factor when he plays for India. It's great guys who've got the opportunity to play at the international level. He's someone who is going to play in the near future for India, it's a great sign. We have five wins from eight, matches andwe expect a loss here and there, it's part and parcel, need to be professional, stick to our strengths and execute our plans. We have absolute confidence in our squad to pull up next game onwards and put in strong performances.

KKR 94/0 after 10 overs.

Chahal tobowl the tenth over.

9.1 Chahal toGill, WICKET! CAUGHT! One shot too many from the bat of Gill, fuller ball on middle and leg stump, Gill dances down the track and lofts the ball high in the air, Siraj running in from deep takes the catch.

9.2Chahal to Iyer, no run, fuller ball on off-stump, Iyer drives the ball to extra cover.

9.3Chahal to Iyer, FOUR! Fuller ball and Iyer plays a reverse hit for a boundary.

9.4Chahal to Iyer, no run, short ball on off-stump, Iyer hits the ball back to the bowler.

9.5Chahal to Iyer, FOUR! Fuller ball on off-stump, Iyer dances down the track and powers the ball down to long-on for a boundary.

9.6Chahal to Iyer, FOUR! GAME, SET AND MATCH FOR KKR!Short ball and Iyer smacks the ball to deep mid-wicket for a boundary..

KKR 82/0 after 9 overs.

Harshal Patel to bowl the ninth over.

8.1 Harshal to Gill, 1 run, short ball on off-stump, Gill hammers the ball through cover point for a single.

8.2Harshal to Iyer, no run, slow good length delivery, the ball nips back in and beats the edge of the bat.

8.3Harshal to Iyer, 1 run, slow good length ball on middle stump, Iyer hits the ball back firmly in the direction of Harshal, Harshal misses a tough chance and Iyer takes a single.

8.4Harshal to Gill, no run, slow bouncer wide of off-stump, Gill leaves the ball for the keeper.

8.5Harshal to Gill, FOUR!Full toss on off-stump, Gill flicks the ball to deep midwicket where a misfield gifts Gill a boundary.

8.6Harshal to Gill, 1 run, good length ball on off-stump, Gill works the ball to mid-wicket for a single.

KKR 75/0 after 8 overs.

Hasaranga to bowl the eigth over.

7.1Hasaranga to Gill, no run, good length ball on off-stump, the ball raps on the pads.

7.2Hasaranga to Gill, SIX! Full ball and Gill slogs the ball to send it flying over long-on for a maximum!!!!!

7.3Hasaranga to Gill, 2 runs, fuller ball on off-stump, Gill goes for another big shot, the ball takes the inside edge of the bat and rolls to fine-leg as Gill takes a couple of runs.

7.4Hasaranga to Gill, no run, good length ball on middle stump, Gill plays the ball to the leg side.

7.5Hasaranga to Gill, 1 run, short ball on off-stump, Gill thumps the ball to sweeper cover for a single.

7.6Hasaranga to Iyer, FOUR! Fuller ball, Iyer plays a reverse hit to send the ball down to third-man for a boundary.

KKR 62/0 after 7 overs.

Harshal Patel to bowl the seventh over.

6.1 Harshal to Gill, 1 run, slow full ball on middle and leg stump, Gill drives the ball down to long-on for a single.

6.2Harshal to Iyer, 1 run, fullish ball wide of off-stump, Iyer uses his feet and advances out of the crease to hit the ball to long-off for a single.

6.2Harshal to Gill, WIDE! Full ball fired way down the leg side.

6.3Harshal to Gill, 1 run, short ball on off-stump, Gill drives the ball through cover for a single.

6.4Harshal to Iyer, 1 run, slow good length ball on off-stump, Iyer guides the ball down to third-man for a single.

6.5Harshal to Gill, 1 run, good length ball on off-stump, Gill thumps the ball through cover for another single.

6.6Harshal to Iyer, no run, slow short ball on off-stump, Iyer mistimes his pull and the ball rolls to the leg side.

KKR 56/0 after 6 overs.

Yuzvendra Chahal to bowl the sixth over.

5.1Chahal to Gill, no run, full ball on off-stump, Gill pushes the ball to mid-off.

5.2Chahal to Gill, FOUR! KKR OPENERS ARE IN A PUNISHING MOOD! Full ball on off-stump, Gill goes on one knee and slog sweeps the ball for a boundary.

5.3Chahal to Gill, no run, short ball on off and middle stump, Gill cuts the ball to the fielder at cover point.

5.4Chahal to Gill, FOUR! GILL WANTS TO GET THE CHASE DONE AND DUSTED ASAP! Fullish ball on off-stump, Gill bends his back knee and slogs the ball down to deep mid-wicket for a boundary.

5.5Chahal to Gill, 2 runs, full ball, Gill plays a reverse sweep and gets a couple of runs.

5.6Chahal to Gill, 1 run, full ball on off-stump, Gill drives the ball to mid-off for a single.

KKR 45/0 after 5 overs.

Jamieson to bowl the fifth over.

4.1 Gill, FOUR! NONCHALANT FROM GILL! Short ball wide of off-stump, Gill dances down the track and powers the ball down to long-off for a boundary.

4.2 Jamieson to Gill, no run, good length ball on off-stump, Gill drives the ball to mid-off.

4.3 Jamieson to Gill, NO BALL!!!!! Fuller ball wide of off-stump, Gill leaves the ball for the keeper, but it is a no ball as Jamieson has overstepped.

FREE HIT!

4.3 Jamieson to Gill, no run, slow bouncer on off-stump, Gill is cramped for room as he looks to play an upper cut and the ball flies to the keeper.

4.4 Jamieson to Gill, FOUR! Fuller ball on middle and leg stump, Gill makes room and smacks the ball over extra cover for a boundary.

4.5 Jamieson to Gill, 1 run, fuller ball on middle and leg stump, Gill moves on to the on side and drives the ball to mid-off for a single.

4.6 Jamieson to Iyer, OUT OF THE PARK! Fuller ball wide of off-stump, Iyer steps out of the crease and slogs the ball over long-on for a maximum!!!!!!

KKR 29/0 after 4 overs.

Hasaranga to bowl the fourth over.

3.1 Hasaranga to Gill, 1 run, fullish ball, Gill drives the ball down to long-off for a single.

3.2 Hasaranga to Iyer, 1 run, good length ball on off-stump, Iyer guides the ball down to long-on for a single.

3.3Hasaranga to Gill, 1 run, short ball, Gill pulls the ball to midwicket for a single.

3.4Hasaranga to Iyer, no run, fullish ball on off-stump, Iyer tries a reverse hit but fails to connect.

3.5Hasaranga to Iyer, FOUR! Fuller ball on off-stump, Iyer thumps the ball through cover and fetches a boundary.

3.6Hasaranga to Iyer, no run, full ball on off-stump, Iyer drives the ball to extra cover.

KKR 22/0 after 3 overs.

Siraj to bowl the third over.

2.1 Siraj to Iyer, no run, short ball on off-stump, Iyer punches the ball to cover.

2.2Siraj to Iyer, 2 runs, good length ball wide of off-stump, Iyer cuts the ball through backward point, Jamieson puts in a dive to save a boundary but Iyer gets a couple of runs.

2.3Siraj to Iyer, BEATEN! Short ball on off-stump, Iyer looks to cut the ball but the ball beats the outside edge of the bat.

2.4Siraj to Iyer, no run, good length ball on middle stump, Iyer steps out of the crease but mistimes his shot and the ball rolls to cover.

2.5Siraj to Iyer, no run, Siraj bangs the ball short, Iyer leaves the ball for the wicketkeeper.

2.6Siraj to Iyer, no run, short ball on off-stump, Iyer drives the ball to cover.

KKR 20/0 after 2 overs.

Kyle Jamieson to bowl the second over.

1.1 Jamieson toGill, 2 runs, short ball on middle stump, Gill goes deep in the crease and punches the ball through extra cover for a couple of runs.

1.2Jamieson toGill, FOUR!! DISDAINFUL FROM GILL!!!!! Good length ball on off and middle stump, Gill takes two steps out of the crease and slaps the ball down to deep mid-wicket for a boundary.

1.3Jamieson toGill, no run, short ball on off-stump, Gill gets on the top of the bounce and hits the ball to mid-off.

1.4Jamieson toGill, 1 run, short ball on off-stump, Gill pulls the ball to mid-wicket for a single.

1.5Jamieson to Iyer, 1 run, good length ball on leg stump, Iyer knocks the ball behind square on the leg side for a single.

1.5Jamieson toGill, WIDE! Fullish ball way outside the line of off-stump.

1.5 Jamieson toGill, WIDE! This time the ball goes down the leg side.

1.6Jamieson toGill, no run, slow good length ball on middle stump, Gill blocks the ball.

KKR 10/0 after 1 over.

Mohammed Siraj to bowl the first over of the innings.

0.1 Siraj to Gill, no run, full ball on off-stump, Gill drives the ball to cover.

0.2Siraj to Gill, 1 run, full ball on middle and leg stump, Gill drives the ball to mid-on for a single.

0.3Siraj to Iyer, no run, back of the length ball on off-stump, Iyer looks to cut the ball but he has no room to play the shot.

0.3Siraj to Iyer, WIDE! Full ball way outside the line of off-stump.

0.4Siraj to Iyer, FOUR! Short and wide from Siraj and Iyer slaps the ball through cover for a boundary.

0.5Siraj to Iyer, FOUR! WHAT A CLASSY SHOT FROM IYER! Good length ball on off-stump from Siraj and Iyer stands tall to drive the ball through extra cover for another boundary.

0.6Siraj to Iyer, no run, good length ball on off-stump, Iyer pushes the ball to cover.

Welcome back for the chase! KKR openers Nitish Rana and Shubhman Gill walk out to the middle. Virat Kohli leads RCB on the field. We are set for the chase.

RCB 92 all-out

Russell to bowl the nineteenth over.

18.1 Russell to Chahal, 1 run, good length ball on middle and leg stump, Chahal goes back and guides the ball behind square on the leg side for a single.

18.2Russell to Siraj, no run, yorker just outside the line of off-stump, Siraj makes room to play a shot but fails to connect.

18.3Russell to Siraj, no run, short ball on middle and leg stump, Siraj moves to off-side to scoop the ball bit fails to connect.

18.4Russell to Siraj, 1 run, fullish ball wide of off-stump, Siraj makes room and drives the ball to sweeper cover for a single.

18.5Russell to Chahal, 1 Leg Bye! Fuller ball on leg stump, the ball raps on the pads and rolls down to fine leg, Chahal takes a single.

18.6Russell to Siraj, WICKET! CAUGHT! Full ball on middle and leg stump, Siraj scoops the ball and the ball flies straight into the hands ofChakravarthyat deep fine leg.

RCB 89/9 after 18 overs.

Prasidh to bowl the eighteenth over.

17.1 Prasidh toSiraj, no run, full ball on off and middle stump, Siraj drives the ball to cover.

17.2Prasidh toSiraj, no run, back of the length ball on off-stump, Siraj goes back and drives the ball to point.

17.3Prasidh toSiraj, no run, fullish ball on off-stump, Siraj looks to drive the ball to but fails to connect.

17.4Prasidh toSiraj, 1 run, good length ball on middle stump, Siraj knocks the ball to on side for a single.

17.5Prasidh to Chahal, 1 run, good length ball on off-stump, Chahal cuts the ball through backward point for another single.

17.6Prasidh to Siraj, EDGE AND FOUR! Short ball, Siraj makes room and cuts the ball over Dinesh Karthik and the ball rolls down to third-man for a boundary.

RCB 83/9 after 17 overs.

Ferguson to bowl the seventeenth over.

16.1 Ferguson to Harshal, EDGE AND FOUR! Good length ball on off-stump, Harshal makes room and throws his bat, the ball takes the toe end of the bat and rolls down to third-man for a boundary.

16.2Ferguson to Harshal, no run, slow fuller ball on off-stump, Harshal goes for a big shot but fails to connect.

16.3Ferguson to Harshal, BOWLED! Slow yorker fired on off-stump, Harshal makes room but the bat makes no contact with the ball and the ball hits the base of the off-stump.

Yuzvendra Chahal walks out to bat.

16.4Ferguson to Chahal, no run, good length ball on middle and off-stump, the ball raps on the pads and goes to the off-side.

16.5Ferguson to Chahal, no run, good length ball on middle stump, Chahal plays the ball to the leg side.

16.6Ferguson to Chahal, no run, fuller ball on middle stump, Chahal drives the ball back to Ferguson.

RCB 79/8 after 16 overs.

Chakravarthy to bowl the sixteenth over.

15.1Chakravarthy to Jamieson, no run, good length ball on middle and leg stump, Jamieson knocks the ball on the on side.

15.2Chakravarthy to Jamieson, 1 run, full ball on off-stump, Jamieson slogs the ball to long-off for a single.

15.3Chakravarthy to Harshal, WICKET! RUN OUT! Full ball on off-stump, Harshal drives the ball straight,Chakravarthy puts in a dive to stop the ball, the ball hits his finger tips and then hits the stumps at the non-striker's end, Jamieson was backing too far and is slow to be back in the crease, Jamieson has to walk back.

Mohammed Siraj walks out to bat.

15.4Chakravarthy to Harshal, no run, good length ball on middle and leg stump, the ball raps on the pads.

15.5Chakravarthy to Harshal, 1 run, fuller ball on middle stump, Harshal heaves the ball to deep mid-wicket for a single.

15.6Chakravarthy to SIraj, 2runs, good length ball on middle stump, Siraj works the ball to fine leg for a couple of runs.

RCB 75//7 after 15 overs.

Narine to bowl the fifteenth over.

14.1Narine to Jamieson, no run, full ball on middle stump, Jamieson blocks the ball.

14.2Narine to Jamieson, 1 run, full ball on off-stump, Jamieson drives the ball down to long-off for a single.

14.3Narine to Harshal, FOUR! Fuller ball wide of off-stump, Harshal cuts the ball to send it down to third-man for a boundary.

14.4Narine to Harshal, 1 run, fuller ball wide of off-stump, Harshal slaps the ball to sweeper cover for a single.

14.5Narine to Jamieson, no run, short ball on middle and leg stump, Jamieson pushes the ball back to Narine.

14.6Narine to Jamieson, 1 run, short ball, Jamieson goes for a pull, the ball takes an inside edge and Jamieson takes a quick single.

RCB 68/7 after 14 overs.

Chakravarthy to bowl the fourteenth over.

13.1 Chakravarthy to Baby, no run, full ball wide of off-stump, Baby slaps the ball to extra cover.

13.2 Chakravarthy to Baby, no run, short ball on off-stump, Baby cuts the ball to point.

13.3Chakravarthy to Baby, no run, fullish ball on off-stump, Baby guides the ball to mid-on.

13.4Chakravarthy to Baby, WICKET! CAUGHT! Full ball wide of off-stump, Baby slaps the ball and the ball lobs to Nitish Rana at backward point.

Harshal Patel walks out to bat.

13.5Chakravarthy to Harshal, no run, full ball on middle and leg stump, the ball raps on the pads and goes to the leg side.

13.6Chakravarthy to Harshal, 2 runs, full ball, Harshal smacks the ball overChakravarthy's head down to long-off for a couple of runs.

RCB 63/6 after 12 overs.

Chakravarthy to bowl the twelfth over.

11.1 Chakravarthy to Baby, 1 run, full ball, Baby guides the ball to the leg side for a single.

11.2 Chakravarthy to Maxwell, 1 run, short ball on middle and leg stump, Maxwell guides the ball to midwicketfor a single.

11.3Chakravarthy to Baby, 1 run, full ball, Baby gets a leading edge and the ball rolls to long-off for a single.

11.4Chakravarthy to Maxwell, BOWLED!Chakravarthy fires the ball in and Maxwell goes for a wild slog and misses the ball completely, the ball hits the top of the off-stump.

Wanindu Hasarangawalks out to bat.

11.5Chakravarthy to Hasaranga, APPEAL FOR LBW AND GIVEN!!!!! Fuller ball on middle and leg stump,Hasaranga looks to defend the ball but the ball raps on the pads andChakravarthy appeals, the umpire raises his finger.Hasaranga is out on a golden duck on his debut.

Kyle Jamieson walks out to bat.

11.6Chakravarthy to Jamieson, another appeal for LBW but this time the umpire doesn't agree with the bowler.

RCB 60/4 after 11 overs.

Ferguson to bowl the eleventh over.

10.1Ferguson to Baby, no run, good length ball on off-stump, Baby looks to smack the ball through cover but misses.

10.2Ferguson to Baby, 1 run, full ball on middle and leg stump, the ball takes the inside edge then raps on the pads before rolling to the keeper, Baby takes a single.

10.3Ferguson to Maxwell, 1 run, back of the length ball on off-stump, Maxwell punches the ball through backward point for a single.

10.4Ferguson to Baby, 1 run, full ball on off-stump, Baby slogs and the ball goes to Russell at long-on, Baby takes a single.

10.5Ferguson to Maxwell, 1 run, good length ball on off-stump, Maxwell drives the ball to the fielder at sweeper cover for another single.

10.5Ferguson to Baby, NO BALL! Russell bowls a waist-high full toss which Baby pulls to backward square-leg for a single.

FREE HIT BALL COMING UP!

10.6Ferguson to Maxwell, no run, pin point yorker wide of off-stump, Maxwell makes room to play a big shot, the ball takes an inside edge and rolls around the corner.

RCB 54/4 after 10 overs.

Prasidhto bowl the tenth over.

9.1 Maxwell, no run, back of the length ball on middle and leg stump, Maxwell goes back in the crease and pushes the ball back to Prasidh.

9.2 Prasidh to Maxwell, 1 run, full ball on off-stump, Maxwell drives the ball to sweeper cover for a single.

9.3Prasidh to Baby, no run, fuller ball fired on middle and leg stump, Baby carves the ball to the on side.

9.4Prasidh to Baby, no run, fuller ball on middle and leg stump, the ball raps on the pads and rolls on to the leg side.

9.5Prasidh to Baby, no run, good length ball on off-stump, Baby pushes the ball back to Prasidh.

9.6Prasidh to Baby, 1 run, good length ball on leg stump, Baby works the ball behind square on the leg side for a single.

RCB 52/4 after 9 overs.

Russell to bowl the ninth over.

8.1Russell to Bharat, WICKET! CAUGHT! Russell bangs the ball short, Bharat mistimes the pull, the ball lobs high in the air and Gill running in from deep mid-wicket takes a good catch.

AB de Villiers walks out to bat.

8.2Russell to Maxwell, no run, good length ball on middle and leg stump, Maxwell goes deep in the crease and pushes the ball to cover.

8.3Russell to Maxwell, 1 run, good length ball on off and middle stump, Maxwell pushes the ball to cover for a single.

8.4Russell to de Villiers, BOWLED! WHAT A PEACH OF A BALL FROM RUSSELL AND de Villers is OUT ON A GOLDEN DUCK! Yorker on middle and leg stump, de Villiers looks to play the ball on the leg side but misses the ball and the ball hits the base of the stumps.

Sachin Baby walks out to bat.

8.5 Russell to Baby, no run, good length ball on off-stump, Baby leaves the ball for the keeper.

8.6Russell to Baby, no run, back of the length ball on off-stump, Baby leaves the ball for Karthik once more.

RCB 51/2 after 8 overs.

Narine to bowl the eighth over.

7.1Narine to Maxwell, no run, short ball, Maxwell mistimes his pull and the ball hits his body.

7.2Narine to Maxwell, 2 runs, good length ball on off-stump, Maxwell cuts the ball through backward point for a couple of runs.

7.3Narine to Maxwell,1 run, full ball, Maxwell drives the ball down to long-on for a single.

7.4Narine to Bharat, 1 run, short ball, Bharat guides the ball to deep mid-wicket for a run.

7.5Narine to Maxwell, no run, short ball, Maxwell hits the ball back to Narine.

7.6Narine to Maxwell, no run, good length ball, Maxwell tries a reverse hit but mistimes as the ball hits the gloves and rolls around the corner.

RCB 47/2 after 7 overs.

Andre Russell to bowl the seventh over.

6.1 Russell to Bharat, 1 run, short ball on middle and leg stump, Bharat knocks the ball back behind square on the leg side for a single.

6.2 Russell to Maxwell, 1 run, short ball on middle and leg stump, Maxwell guides the ball on the on side for a single.

6.3 Russell to Bharat, 1 run, good length ball on off-stump, Bharat slaps the ball to backward pint for a single.

6.4 Russell to Maxwell, no run, short ball on middle and leg stump, the ball hits the pads and goes to cover.

6.5Russell to Maxwell, 1 run, short ball on middle stump, Maxwell pulls the ball to square-leg for a single.

6.6Russell to Bharat, 2 runs, short ball, Bharat pulls and sends the ball to deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

RCB 41/2 after 6 overs.

Ferguson to bowl the sixth over.

5.1 Ferguson to Padikkal, FOUR! Fuller delivery wide of off-stump, Padikkal slaps the ball through backward point for a boundary.

5.2 Ferguson to Padikkal, 1 run, full ball on off-stump, Padikkal guides the ball down to third-man for a run.

5.3 Ferguson to Bharat, no run, slow ball on middle stump, Bharat makes room to hit the ball over cover but the ball beats the bat and goes to the keeper.

5.4Ferguson to Bharat, 1 run, good length ball on middle stump, Bharat plays the ball on the on side for a single.

5.5Ferguson to Padikkal, no run, slow yorker wide of off-stump, Padikkal tries to dig the ball out but the ball beats the bat and goes to the wicketkeeper.

5.6Ferguson to Padikkal, WICKET! CAUGHT!Slow bouncer from Ferguson, Padikkal is cramped for room as he looks to guide the ball to third-man, the ball takes a fine edge and flies straight into the gloves of Karthik.

RCB 35/1 after 5 overs.

Sunil Narine to bowl the fifth over.

4.1 Narine toPadikkal, no run, good length ball on off-stump, Padikkal guides the ball to the man at short third-man.

4.2Narine toPadikkal, 1 run, good length ball on off-stump, Padikkal pushes the ball to cover for a single.

4.3Narine toBharat, 1 run, short ball on middle stump, Bharat works the ball to square-leg for another single.

4.4Narine toPadikkal, no run, fuller ball on off-stump, Padikkal defends the ball to cover.

4.5Narine toPadikkal, 1 run,fuller ball on middle stump, Padikkal pushes the ball behind square on the leg side for a single.

4.6Narine toBharat,FOUR!Fuller ball and Bharat plays the ball over extra cover for a boundary.

RCB 28/1 after 4 overs.

Prasidh to bowl the fourth over.

3.1Prasidh to Bharat, no run, good length ball on off-stump, Bharat pushes the ball to cover.

3.2Prasidh to Bharat, no run, good length delivery on off and middle stump, Bharat plays a defensive shot close to his body and the ball rolls back to Prasidh.

3.3 Prasidh to Bharat, BEATEN! Good length ball on off-stump, Bharat looks to drive the ball but the ball jags back in and beats the edge of the bat.

3.4 Prasidh to Bharat, no run, good length ball on off-stump, Bharat steps out and slaps the ball to the man at cover point.

OH NO IT IS A NO BALL AS PRASIDH HAS OVERSTEPPED! FREE HIT COMING UP!!!!!

3.4 Prasidh to Bharat, IT IS ANOTHER NO BALL AS IT IS A WAIST HIGH FULL TOSS, Bharat pulls the ball and sends it straight into the hands of the man at deep backward square leg, Bharat completes a single.

ANOTHER FREE HIT COMING UP!

3.4 Prasidh to Padikkal, FOUR! Full toss on leg stump, Padikkal flicks the ball down to fine leg for a boundary.

3.5Prasidh to Padikkal, no run, fuller ball on off-stump, Padikkal plays the ball to the man at point.

3.6Prasidh to Padikkal, 1 run, good length ball on leg stump, Padikkal works the ball to mid-wicket for a single.

RCB 20/1 after 3 overs.

Lockie Ferguson to bowl the third over.

2.1 Ferguson to Padikkal, 1 run, back of the length ball on off-stump, Padikkal goes back in his crease to guide the ball down to third man for a single.

2.2Ferguson to Bharat, 1 run, back of the length ball on middle stump, Bharat knocks the ball to square-leg for a single.

2.3Ferguson to Padikkal, FOUR! Great shot from the bat of Padikkal, Ferguson pitches the ball up and Padikkal plays an inside out shot over the head of Ferguson to send the ball down to long-on for a boundary.

2.4Ferguson to Padikkal, 1 run, back of the length ball on middle stump, Padikkal works the ball to the leg side for a single.

2.5Ferguson to Bharat, no run, short ball on middle and leg stump, Bharat is early in his pull shot, the ball takes the inner half of the bat and rolls to the leg side.

2.6Ferguson to Bharat, 1 run, fuller ball on off-stump, Bharat punches the ball to mid-off and takes off for a quick single.

RCB 12/1 after 2 overs.

Prasidh Krishna to bowl the second over. Padikkal is on strike.

1.1 Prasidh to Padikkal, no run, good length ball on off-stump, Padikkal goes back and punches the ball to cover.

1.2Prasidh to Padikkal, 1 run, good length ball on off-stump, Padikkal guides the ball to third-man for a single.

1.3Prasidh to Kohli, WIDE! Back of the length ball straying down the leg side.

1.3Prasidh to Kohli, FOUR! Top shot from the bat of the RCB skipper, Prasidh bowls on good length on off-stump, Kohli punches the ball through extra cover for a boundary.

1.4Prasidh to Kohli, APPEAL FOR LBW as the ball raps on the pads and the umpire raises his finger, but Kohli has taken the review. The review shows that there is no inside edge, the ball has pitched in line and the ball is hitting the stumps, the third umpire asks the on field umpire to stay with his call. RCB lose Kohli and the review.

Srikar Bharat walks out to bat.

1.5 Prasidh to Bharat, no run, good length ball on off-stump, Bharat drives the ball to the man at mid-off.

1.6Prasidh to Bharat, 2 runs, back of the length ball on middle and leg stump, Bharat works the ball to the leg side for a couple.

RCB 4/0 after 1 over.

Varun Chakravarthy to bowl the first over of the inning. On strike is Kohli.

0.1Chakravarthy to Kohli, 1 run, fuller delivery on middle stump, Kohli knocks the ball to the leg side for a single.

0.2Chakravarthy to Padikkal, no run, fuller ball on off-stump, Padikkal drives the ball to the man at extra cover.

0.3Chakravarthy to Padikkal, no run, good length ball on off-stump, Padikkal strides forward and defends the ball.

0.4Chakravarthy to Padikkal, no run, good length ball on off-stump, Padikkal guides the ball to the man at backward point.

0.5Chakravarthy to Padikkal, 3 runs, short ball on off-stump, Padikall goes back in the crease and punches the ball through point and gets three runs.

0.6 Chakravarthy to Kohli, no run, good length ball on off-stump, Kohli comes forward and defends the ball to cover.

Right then the action is about to begin. The two on-field umpires make their way to the middle. RCB openers Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal follow the umpires and march to the pitch. KKR players too have made their way to the middle.

Teams

Kolkata Knight Riders: Shubman Gill, Nitish Rana, Rahul Tripathi, Eoin Morgan(c), Andre Russell, Dinesh Karthik(w), Sunil Narine, Venkatesh Iyer, Lockie Ferguson, Varun Chakravarthy, Prasidh Krishna

Royal Challengers Bangalore: Virat Kohli(c), Devdutt Padikkal, Srikar Bharat, Glenn Maxwell, AB de Villiers(w), Wanindu Hasaranga, Sachin Baby, Kyle Jamieson, Mohammed Siraj, Harshal Patel, Yuzvendra Chahal

Eoin Morgan, KKR captain at toss:The pitch looks really good, it should stay pretty similar for the entire length of the game. Hoping that the performances will change in this phase of the tournament. It's been challenging, but we are happy to be back here.

Virat Kohli, RCB captain at toss: 'We will bat first. Looks like a good pitch, the grass will hold it together, will slow down as the game progresses. This one's special, we promised back in May that we'll play for the Covid warriors, here it is - we''' auction this uniform and the proceed will go to them. Two debutants for us - KS Bharat and Wanindu Hasranga'

Toss

RCB captain Virat Kohli wins the toss and opts to bat first.

Pitch Report

A very hot day on offer for the players. The ground is looking lush green. There is a little bit of grass cover on the pitch and, it is even. There will be a little bit of movement and will assist the pacers for a while. The average score batting first is 165. There is a lot of wind coming from one side of the ground.

Impact Player for RCB

Glenn Maxwell: Watch out for Glenn Maxwell. The Aussie batsman was in sublime form in India. He was the team’s top scorer with 223 runs at an average of 37.16 and a strike rate of 144.80. His presence in the middle order liftedthe burden of scoring runs from the shoulders of RCB’s batting mainstay AB de Villiers and Virat Kohli.

Impact player for KKR

Andre Russell: The West Indian all-rounder had scored a fifty and picked seven wickets for KKR in the first phase. In the recently concluded Caribbean Premier League (CPL), he hammered 16 sixes in 10 games. An in-form Russellcan inflict a lot of damage on the opponents.

Form Guide

KKR: L-W-L-L-L

RCB: L-W-L-W-W

What happened in the reverse fixture earlier in the season?

Batting first, RCB posted a healthy 204/6 in 20 overs thanks to Glenn Maxwell's 78 and AB de Villiers' 76. Then it was the turn of the RCB bowlers to join the party. All-rounder Kyle Jamieson picked up three wickets. Leg spinner Yuzvendra Chahal and pacer Harshal Patel got two wickets each as KKR could manage 166/8.

KKR vs RCB Head to Head

Matches played: 27

KKR wins: 14

RCB wins: 13

RCB Threats:

Virat Kohli will have to guard his team against a sudden dip in form. Last year in UAE, towards the fag end of the league stage, the team ran out of steam. It lost five of its last seven league games and had to play the eliminator against Sunriseres Hyderabad which they lost.

RCB Opportunities:

Keep a close eye on Tim David. The 25-year-old batsman is the first cricketer from Singapore to be offered a contract by an IPL franchise. He has played 62 T20 games and scored 1,468 runs at an average of 35.80 and a high score of 92 not out. He brings with him a wealth of white-ball cricket experience. He has featured in the Big Bash League, the Pakistan Super League, the Caribbean Premier League, the Royal London Cup and The Hundred. This could be his chance to leave his mark in the most glamorous T20 league of all.

RCB Weaknesses

A sudden disruption of a fairly good season and too many changes in the squad can prove counterproductive for RCB. Wanindu Hasaranga, Tim David, Dushmantha Chameera, and George Garton are new to the IPL. And with only seven more games left for RCB in the league, it would be a difficult decision for Virat Kohli to pick one of these IPL newbies if the need arises.

RCB Strengths:

As always, the batting department is looking solid for RCB. Both Glenn Maxwell and AB de Villiers have hit two fifties so far in this edition. Virat Kohli has scored a half-century and opener Devdutt Padikkal scored a stunning hundred back in India. If these four batsmen continue their rich vein of form, we can expect huge totals and comfortable chases from the team.

SWOT analysis for RCB

KKR Threats:

The team is placed in the seventh spot in the league table. So, every match is almost a knock-out game for them. A loss against RCB and the team’s hopes of a playoff spot can be over.

KKR Opportunities:

Varun Chakravarthy came into the limelight last year when he finished the season with 17 wickets to his name. The mystery spinner is back in the UAE. He could very well utilize the remainder of KKR’s league games to get some form under his belt and stake his claim in India’s playing XI for the upcoming T20 World Cup which would be played in the UAE and Oman.

KKR Weaknesses:

There are plenty of loopholes in the team. Shubman Gill is having another poor season. The KKR opener has managed only 132 runs at an abysmal average of 18.85. Dinesh Karthik and Eoin Morgan too have struggled to score runs freely. Pat Cummins is the team’s leading wicket-taker in this season so far with nine wickets. But he won't be taking part in the second phase of the tournament. His replacement, Tim Southee, doesn’t have a spectacular IPL record. Southee has taken 28 wickets in 40 IPL games at an average of 46.18.

KKR Strengths:

The way they performed earlier this year, there are not many strengths that the team could boast of. The only saving grace would be the form of bowlers Prasidh Krishna and Varun Chakravarthy. Krishna picked up eight wickets and Chakravarthy has seven wickets to his name. Andre Russell’s form with the ball should also inspire the players.

SWOT analysis of KKR

IPL 2021 | RCB vs KKR: SWOT Analysis

Virat Kohli’s Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) will resume their quest for a maiden IPL title when they take on Eoin Morgan-led Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. Here is the SWOT Analysis of the two teams

Struggling KKR look to script turnaround against RCB in IPL second phase

While Virat Kohli'sRCBis third in the eight-team standings with 10 points from seven games, 2012 and 2014 championsKKRare languishing at the seventh spot with just two wins out of seven ties. (PTI)