IPL 2018, KKR vs RCB: Hits and Misses
Batting first, RCB lost Quinton de Kock but Brendon McCullum’s 43 ensured they got off to a good start.
After his dismissal, AB De Villiers continued the momentum created by McCullum. Virat Kohli struggled but did well in the partnership with De Villiers as the duo set up the platform for a big score.
But both of them were dismissed by Nitish Rana off successive deliveries. Mandeep Singh’s 18-ball 37 helped RCB get to 176.
KKR then got off to a flying start with Sunil Narine scoring a blazing 50 in just 17 balls. But RCB clawed their way back with a splendid spell from Umesh Yadav.
At 83/3, things looked pretty dicey for KKR, but Rana and Dinesh Karthik stabilised the innings with a 55-run stand.
But once again a couple of quick wickets started to make things interesting. But Karthik (35 off 29 balls) once again kept his cool and showed great maturity to take KKR home with seven balls to spare.
#5 Hit: Umesh Yadav
Umesh Yadav has had an indifferent last few months. After he was India’s premier fast bowler in their home season in 2016/17, he found himself warming the benches as Jasprit Bumrah and Ishant Sharma got the nod ahead of him.
The last time he played for India was in November against Sri Lanka in the second Test.
After playing four seasons with KKR, Yadav was picked by RCB in the auction. Defending 176, KKR were off to a flying start but it was Yadav who applied the brakes.
He dismissed the dangerous Sunil Narine in his first over and then dismissed Robin Uthappa in his next over.
He was bowling with great control and his pace was up. It was a terrific spell as he had figures of 2/12 in three overs.
It was good aggressive bowling as he troubled the KKR batsmen with pace. Despite going for 15 in his last over, he was the pick of the RCB bowlers.