IPL 2023: KKR back to winning ways after registering 21 run win over RCB

Kolkata Knight Riders registered a double over RCB in the ongoing IPL 2023 season. Image Courtesy: BCCI/IPL

Xtra Time Web Desk: Kolkata Knight Riders pulled off a stunning comeback victory against Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL 2023 game played at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Wednesday. After a few losses in a row, KKR was looking to bounce back and managed to do so by winning the match by 21 runs. RCB’s poor running and inability to put away bad balls made them lose the match. KKR’s spinners, Suyash Sharma (2/30) and Varun Chakravarthy (3/27), dominated RCB’s batters, helping KKR defend 201 runs.

KKR started off brightly in the powerplay thanks to some incredible intent from England batter Jason Roy (56 off 29). However, after his dismissal in the 10th over, the team struggled to attack at a venue that is known to be high scoring in nature. It was only after the arrival of captain Nitish Rana that the team was able to up the impetus and put up a respectable score. Rana’s 48 off 21 helped KKR to breathe a little easier, and Rinku Singh (18) and David Wiese (12) were able to cut loose in the final two overs to take KKR to a below-par but respectable score.

RCB’s fielding was to blame for allowing KKR to cut loose, failing to grab the chances. This came in sharp contrast to the way Kolkata fielded on the day, picking up three brilliant chances at the edge of the boundary. RCB captain Virat Kohli who scored 54 runs was left seething after the match, saying that this was a freebie to the Kolkata side, who were handed the win on the day.

With the win, KKR reached 6 points and joined the mid-section logjam that the IPL points table is turning out to be. This win should boost the KKR dugout, especially after their captain Nitish Rana had voiced his disappointment in the bowling unit in their last two losses. This victory could be a turning point for the team’s fortunes in the tournament.