IPL 2022: Bengaluru beats Kolkata by 3 wickets 

RCB's bowling performance, led by Wanindu Hasaranga's four-wicket haul, limited KKR to 128 before useful lower-order contributions from RCB batters propelled them to victory in a final-over thriller.

24x7liveindia
Mar 31, 2022 07:20
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IPL 2022: Bengaluru beats Kolkata by 3 wickets 

Navi Mumbai: The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) won their first game of the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 on Wednesday, defeating the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) by three wickets at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.

RCB's bowling performance, led by Wanindu Hasaranga's four-wicket haul, limited KKR to 128 before useful lower-order contributions from RCB batters propelled them to victory in a final-over thriller.

The RCB, who were chasing 129 runs for win, did not modify their lineup from the previous game. Umesh Yadav maintained his excellent form from the previous game by dismissing Anuj Rawat for a duck in the first over of the innings.

After skipper du Plessis was caught inside the circle, the Royal Challengers lost both of their openers. Virat Kohli, who batted at number three, blasted two fours but was quickly despatched after being caught behind off Yadav's bowling.

RCB were 3 down for 36 at the end of the powerplay, with David Willey and Sherfane Rutherford at the crease.

In the eighth over, the batting pair relieved some pressure by hitting attacking spinner Varun Chakaravarthy for a four and a six.

The Challengers were 59-3 at the conclusion of ten overs, thanks to some risk-free cricket from Willey and Rutherford, who kept the runs coming.

Narine reintroduced KKR into the game by dismissing Willey, who was given a soft dismissal. Harshal Patel smashed two crucial fours in the final over before Dinesh Karthik finished up the chase with a six and a four.

Earlier, the Knight Riders, who batted first, made one change from their previous game: Tim Southee replaced Shivam Mavi in the lineup. Venkatesh Iyer and Ajinkya Rahane opened the innings cautiously, scoring 14 runs in the first three overs.

RCB used their strong start to dismiss Venkatesh Iyer in the fourth over when he was caught and bowled by Akash Deep.

Shahbaz Ahmed, who has pushed up the order, demonstrated his striking ability by slamming two sixes against Russell to help RCB regain control.

RCB needed 36 runs off the last five overs. The RCB got to 100 after Shahbaz hit a maximum against Chakravarthy, but the right-handed batter was caught on the following ball.

With 24 needing off the final three overs, Tim Southee struck twice in the - to eliminate Rutherford and Wanindu Hasaranga.

KKR skipper Shreyas Iyer, who joined Rahane, started his innings with two fours. Rahane was removed by Mohammed Siraj after being caught in the deep by Shahbaz Ahmed, who took an easy catch.

Nitish Rana started his innings with a four and a six against Akash Deep, but the pacer came back to eliminate the left-handed hitter, thanks to a fine running catch from David Willey, and KKR were 44-3 at the conclusion of 6 overs.

The Knight Riders' woes worsened when captain Iyer was caught by du Plessis at long-on off Hasaranga's bowling.

The two new batters in the lineup were Sam Billings and Sunil Narine. Narine began aggressively, smacking a four and a six against Akash Deep. Narine was followed by Billings, who blasted a maximum over mid-wicket.

Hasaranga took two wickets in two balls to send Narine and Sheldon Jackson back to the pavilion. While Narine was trapped inside the circle, Jackson was taken off guard by the spinner in the ninth over.

With KKR struggling at 76/6 at the halfway point, the dangerous Andre Russell went in to bat. The right-handed hitter declared his arrival in grand style, thumping four and six apiece.

Harshal Patel got in on the act with a rare wicket-maiden over, taking out Sam Billings, who was caught in the deep by Virat Kohli. Russell, on the other hand, had no intention of backing down, smashing two massive sixes against Shahbaz Ahmed.

Russell's spectacular knock of 25 came to an end when he was caught behind off the bowling of Harshal Patel, who produced an amazing wicket-maiden for the second time in a row.

Hasaranga's fourth victim was Tim Southee, who was securely caught by du Plessis at long-on after a mistimed shot. Umesh Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy combined 27 runs for the final wicket before Yadav was run out in the penultimate over by Akash Deep. The Knight Riders finished with a total of 128 points.