Xtra Time Web Desk: Shardul Thakur’s sensational knock (68 off 29) and a superb show by spin trio gave Kolkata Knight Riders 81 runs win in the IPL 2023 game against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at the Eden Gardens on Thursday night. KKR spinners Varun Chakravarthy (4/15), Suyash Sharma (3/30) and Sunil Narine (2/16) all contributed to the comprehensive win.
Shardul Thakur’s knock rescued the home side from a precarious position of 89 for 5 in the 12th over to a formidable total of 204 for 7 against RCB in front of a packed stadium. Thakur scored a blistering 68 off just 29 balls, hitting 9 fours and 3 sixes, and equaled the record for the second highest score by an IPL batter at No.7 or lower. He was well-supported by Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who played a composed innings of 57 off 44 balls, becoming the first Afghanistan cricketer to score a half-century in the IPL.
In response, RCB struggled against KKR’s bowling attack, particularly the spinners. Sunil Narine removed the dangerous Virat Kohli for 21, and Varun Chakravarthy picked up crucial wickets of Faf du Plessis, Glenn Maxwell, and Harshal Patel. Suyash Sharma, making his IPL debut, also impressed with three wickets. RCB’s innings faltered, and they could only manage 123 for 9 in their 20 overs, losing the match by a massive 81 runs.
Thakur’s all-round performance, including his crucial knock with the bat and wicket-taking spell, earned him the Man of the Match award. His innings was a display of power-hitting and determination, coming at a time when KKR needed it the most, and it helped them secure a convincing victory over RCB.