KKR vs RCB Highlights IPL 2023: KKR 204/7 beats RCB 123 all out by 81 runs; Varun takes four, Suyash picks three on debut

Kolkata spun out Bangalore to register a fantastic win at home as they beat RCB by a massive 81 runs and it’s their spin trio of Varun, Narine and debutant Suyash who shared nine wickets among themselves with Varun picking a four-wicket haul and Suyash taking three. A brilliant show from Shardul Thakur who blazed away with the joint-highest half-century to pull Kolkata from the doldrums and help the team post a daunting total on board. It was then the spinners who took charge as a meltdown saw RCB getting bowled out cheaply at the Eden Gardens. It’s a win to remember for new skipper Nitish Rana.

Suyash Sharma gets some treatment as Willy first smacks the debutant for a boundary and then Akash Deep smoked the leg-spinner for a huge maximum as the debutant finished with figures of 4-0-30-3 on his maiden appearance in the IPL.

Sunil Narine finishes his quota of four overs and what a brilliant spell this has been as the veteran finishes with 4-0-16-2. Top stuff as Kolkata aims to close out the innings.

Suyash Sharma has picked three wickets on debut and this has been brilliant from the debutant. Karn Sharma went for a sweep and a huge appeal saw the on-field umpire unmoved. Kolkata went for the review and UltraEdge showed there was a spike as Nitish Rana took a neat catch at first slip.

Willey finally has got something to cheer as he stands tall and punches Thakur through the covers for a boundary but this game has gone far from the reach of Bangalore. They need to bat through the overs, keeping in mind the net run-rate.

Suyash Sharma gets his maiden IPL wicket and he has removed RCB’s Impact player Anuj Rawat who fails to make an impact in the game. Rawat goes for a wild slog but only manages to get a top edge as Narine takes a comfortable catch. The youngster picks another wicket and this time by removing Dinesh Karthik. Spin doing the damage and Bangalore crumbling fast.

Shardul Thakur with the bat delivered a telling blow and now with the ball as the medium pacer removed Bracewell with Nitish Rana taking a good catch at short fine leg. A bumper, Bracewell went for the pull but couldn’t time it well as Rana dived forward to take an excellent catch. RCB have made an Impact substitute by bringing in Anuj Rawat in place of Mohammed Siraj.

Suyash Sharma into the attack and the mystery spinner conceded nine runs in his maiden appearance in the IPL. Bracewell tonked the spinner for a maximum as the batsman pounced on a short delivery with Karthik settling for a single.

Beautiful bowling from Varun Chakravarthy as although Bracewell fetches a boundary, the mystery spinner has picked three key wickets to put Kolkata on top. Dinesh Karthik is in the middle and this will test the veteran’s skill with the bat.

Sunil Narine has further pushed Bangalore on the backfoot as Shahbaz Ahmed went for a revese sweep only to hit straight down the throat of of Shardul Thakur at the deep. Kolkata well and truly on top.

The decibel levels have gone through the roof at the Eden Gardens as Varun Chakravarthy has castled Glenn Maxwell and that was completely a very poor shot from Maxwell, given the match situation. Maxwell went for a wild swing across the line and saw the ball clattering his stumps. Harshal Patel was the next batsman to walk back as Varun foxed the batsman with a googly as the ball sneaked past the inside edge to put Kolkata firmly on top.

Just three runs from Sunil Narine’s second over and Kolkata with the wickets of Kohli and du Plessis have tied down the RCB batsmen. Bracewell and Maxwell don’t really have the licence to go for the big shots as they need to rebuild and build a partnership.

The mystery spinner strikes and Varun Chakravarthy has castled Faf du Plessis to give Kolkata a brilliant start inside the PowerPlay. Tossed up delivery, du Plessis went for a booming drive, got an inside edge and the ball castles the stumps. Glenn Maxwell and Bracewell have got a job in their hands with Kolkata calling the shots at the moment. Maxwell is off the mark with a boundary through the point.

Sunil Narine breaks the 44-run opening stand and Kohli’s struggle against the spin continues as the spinner castles the opener with Kohli paying the price for playing across the line and trying to work the ball to the leg side. He departs for an 18-ball 21 and that’s a huge wicket for Kolkata.

Kohli puts on his dancing shoes as he dances down the ground and lofts the length delivery over the bowler’s head and then du Plessis stays rooted in his crease and hits through the line to clear the long-on boundary. Du Plessis stamps his authority as he slaps Southee over the extra cover for a boundary and then improvised by tonking a slower delivery into the deep mid-wicket stands. 23 runs come from Southee’s over and RCB is up and running in the run chase.

Faf du Plessis gets into the act as the RCB skipper drills Umesh Yadav for a boundary over the extra cover region and this has been a sedate start from RCB. They need another 186 runs from 102 deliveries.

Tim Southee starts in an excellent fashion by giving just two runs and the lengths have been immaculate from the New Zealander. Absolutely giving no room for the batsmen to free their arms and the full length delivery coupled with the outswinger where Kohli almost nicked one. Top bowling from Southee.

Kohli is off the blocks in a flash with already two boundaries to his credit. The RCB opener got off the mark with a neat flick for a boundary and then guided a short of length delivery through the short third-man region to get RCB’s run chase going. Good start from RCB with its skipper Faf du Plessis also off the mark with a single.

Right then Faf du Plessis and Virat Kohli are out in the middle and the opening pair will aim for a bright start to gun down the total. It will be Umesh Yadav with the new ball to start proceedings. Here we go! The Impact player for KKR is on the field as Suyash Sharma comes in for Venkatesh Iyer

Shardul Thakur has turned the match on its head with a brilliant 29-ball 68 and also hit the joint fastest half-century in the IPL in 20 balls to power Kolkata to a dominating total of 204/7 in 20 overs. The all-rounder along with Rinku Singh forged a brilliant 103-run stand off just 47 deliveries with Shardul hammering the Bangalore bowlers all over the park. RCB will fancy their chances to chase the total but the knock Shardul played, was simply the stuff of dreams.

Rinku Singh joins the party as he first smashed Harshal over the bowler’s head for a boundary and then flicked a low full toss over the deep mid-wicket for a maximum. The southpaw then brought his best shot of the day as he skipped down the track and pulled Harshal flat over the long-on for a stellar six. He missed his century as Harshal got his man but Rinku Singh played his part with a brilliant 33-ball 46.

Power, timing and placement. Shardul Thakur has nailed it with the bat at the Eden Gardens and this is the best batting show, the all-rounder has produced in the IPL. He drilled Siraj to the long-off boundary and the speed in which the ball travelled to the fence conveyed the firm he is in. Rinku Singh, meanwhile, made most of the no-ball by Siraj as the southpaw brought the ramp shot to send the ball over the ropes.

Shardul Thakur reaches his first fifty in the IPL in just 20 balls and the all-rounder has butchered the RCB bowling attack. Shardul is now the joint-fastest to hit a half-century in just 20 balls along with Jos Buttler and has single-handedly taken Kolkata out of the hole to a position of strength. Top knock!

David Willey finished his quota of four overs with excellent figures of 4-1-16-2 and this has been a brilliant show from the fast bowler. Kolkata inching towards the 150-run mark and with Shardul’s blade on fire, they will be aiming for at least 170 runs on the board.

The fifty-run partnership between Shardul and Rinku is up and it is the former who has scored the majority of the runs, batting on 42 off 15 balls with four boundaries and three sixes. In the last five overs, KKR has scored 61 runs losing just two wickets and thanks to Shardul for the counter-attacking innings.

Shardul Thakur is in some mood as after smashing a maximum, he sweept Karn Sharma for a boundary and the ball raced to the mid-wicket boundary like a bullet. The all-rounder will look to play some more big shots and provide some impetus to the KKR innings.

Sanjay Bangar just confirmed to the host broadcaster that Reece Topley is ruled out of the tournament. Wanindu Hasranga will arrive on 17th and Josh Hazlewood will touch down on 14th. Meanwhile, Akash Deep returns into the attack and continues to be expensive as the fast bowler concedes 19 with Shardul Thakur smoking a free-hit over the long-on for a maximum.

Karn Sharma strikes and he removes the well-set Gurbaz who plays an unusual shot, against the run of play and falls for a 44-ball 57. The leg spinner then dismissed the dangerous Andre Russell for a duck as Kohli takes a comfortable catch at long-off and KKR in deep trouble with half the side back in the hut. It was a casual shot from Russell as the big-hitter didn;t even connect properly with the ball hitting the toe-end of the bat. RCB on top.

Finally Rinku Singh finds a boundary as the southpaw slaps Harshal Patel over the short fine leg for a boundary. The partnership is 42 and Kolkata seems to have recovered from the early loss of wickets.

How good Gurbaz has been tonight and the KKR opener with a flat six off Karn Sharma brought his half-century and that’s a brilliant one, given the situation Kolkata is in currently. At the other end, it’s a wonderful opportunity for Rinku Singh to stamp his authority and showcase his skill.

Gurbaz is looking extremely good as he takes the attack to the opposition by dispatching Bracewell over the long-on for a much-needed maximum. Bracewell dragged it short and the opener then employed an excellent pull as the ball travelled over the deep mid-wicket for a boundary. Good over for KKR. Time for a break!

Shahbaz Ahmed thought he had trapped Gurbaz and the on-field umpire gave it Out. However, the batsman was confident and took a successful review to extend his stay at the crease. Gurbaz then dispatched Shahbaz to the backward square leg boundary to keep the scorecard ticking.

That was a poor shot from Nitish Rana as the KKR skipper decided to reverse sweep Michael Bracell straightaway and that led to his downfall as Dinesh Karthik persuaded to go for the review and it turned out to be a successful one. The ball brushed the glove as Karthik took a good catch and that’s the end of the Kolkata skipper. RCB making huge strides.

David Willey finished his third over and it’s a PowerPlay that belonged to RCB with Willey knocking out Venkatesh and Mandeep in one over. Kolkata’s batting has been brittle and the onus is now on Mandeep and Gurbaz to drive Kolkata in the next period of play.

Akash Deep into the attack and he starts in a costly fashion as Gurbaz doesn’t seem to be bothered with the fall of wickets at the other end. He continues to play fearlessly and Akash Deep needs to come back stronger.

David Willey strikes twice in two balls to give RCB an early advantage in the PowerPlay as he knocked out Venkatesh Iyer and then Mandeep Singh to put Kolkata in trouble. Venkatesh had absolutely no feet movement as the ball smashed into the middle stump and then Mandeep Singh had absolutely no clue as the ball seamed away to clip the off-stump. Double-wicket maiden for Willey.

Siraj offered room and Gurbaz pounced on the short-of-length delivery to dispatch it over the point region for a boundary. The bowler corrected his length and the ball nipped back to beat the defence of Gurbaz and Dinesh Karthik behind the stumps to run for another boundary, this time to the fine leg region. The opener then rubbed salt on the injury by dispatching the bowler to the third man region to make it a 14-run over.

David Willey starts well as the left-arm pacer gives just three runs from his opening over with Venkatesh Iyer getting off the mark with a flick to the deep square. Gurbaz took the adventurous route by dancing down the track but was lucky as the ball escaped from the fielder’s grasp.

Kolkata opened its account with five-wides as Mohammed Siraj sprayed down the leg side and then Gurbaz used the extra pace of the bowler to get off the mark with a boundary - thanks to Willy who dived but parried the ball over the ropes. Kolkata off the mark and so as Gurbaz.

IPL returns to the iconic Eden Gardens after almost three long years and it’s a houseful Thursday with RCB skipper Faf du Plessis opting to bowl first against the Nitish Rana-led Kolkata. The KKR openers - Venkatesh Iyer and Rahmanullah Gurbaz are out in the middle and with the ball it will be Mohammed Siraj, steaming in with the new ball. Here we go!

KKR hands debut for 19-year-old Suyash Sharma and the leg-spinner will look to make an impact in his debut game.

Mandeep Singh, Rahmanullah Gurbaz(w), Nitish Rana(c), Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Shardul Thakur, Sunil Narine, Suyash Sharma, Tim Southee, Umesh Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy

Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis(c), Dinesh Karthik(w), Glenn Maxwell, Michael Bracewell, Shahbaz Ahmed, David Willey, Karn Sharma, Harshal Patel, Akash Deep, Mohammed Siraj

“Going to have a bowl. Bit of a misunderstanding. Was dew last night. Hoping it will get skiddy in the second innings. That’s a long way away. Today is a completely new game. Really motivated to put in a good performance. Forced change with Topley being injured. Willey comes in.”

RCB wins toss, opts to bowl first

Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bangalore match will be televised on the Star Sports Network in India.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz(w), Venkatesh Iyer, Nitish Rana(c), Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Shardul Thakur, Sunil Narine, Tim Southee/Lockie Ferguson, Anukul Roy, Umesh Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy

Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis(c), Glenn Maxwell, Michael Bracewell, Shahbaz Ahmed, Dinesh Karthik(w), Karn Sharma, Harshal Patel, Akash Deep, David Willey, Mohammed Siraj

Faf Du Plessis, Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell, Mohammad Siraj, Harshal Patel, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dinesh Karthik, Shahbaz Ahemad, Rajat Patidar, Anuj Rawat, Akash Deep, Josh Hazlewood, Mahipal Lomror, Finn Allen, Suyash Prabhudessai, Karn Sharma, Siddharth Kaul, David Willey, Reece Topley, Himanshu Sharma, Manoj Bhandage, Rajan Kumar, Avinash Singh, Sonu Yadav, Micheal Bracewell

Wicketkeeper: Rahmanullah Gurbaz

Batters: Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis (c), Nitish Rana

All-rounders: Glenn Maxwell, Andre Russell (vc), Sunil Narine, Michael Bracewell

Bowlers: Harshal Patel, Mohammed Siraj, Tim Southee

Team Composition: KKR 5:6 RCB Credits Left: 7

Anuj Rawat, Suyash Prabhudessai, Mahipal Lomror, Sonu Yadav, Karn Sharma

Faf du Plessis (c), Virat Kohli, Mahipal Lomror, Glenn Maxwell, Michael Bracewell, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Shahbaz Ahmed, Harshal Patel, Akash Deep, David Willey, Mohammed Siraj

Faf du Plessis (c), Virat Kohli, Mahipal Lomror, Glenn Maxwell, Michael Bracewell, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Shahbaz Ahmed, Suyash Prabudessai, Harshal Patel, Akash Deep, David Willey

Anukul Roy, Suyash Sharma, Mandeep Singh, Venkatesh Iyer

N Jagadeesan, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Nitish Rana (c), Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Shardul Thakur, Anukul Roy, Lockie Ferguson, Umesh Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy

N Jagadeesan, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Venkatesh Iyer, Nitish Rana (capt), Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Shardul Thakur, Lockie Ferguson, Umesh Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy.

Mandeep Singh, Rahmanullah Gurbaz(w), Anukul Roy, Nitish Rana(c), Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Shardul Thakur, Sunil Narine, Tim Southee, Umesh Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, Venkatesh Iyer, N Jagadeesan, David Wiese, Vaibhav Arora, Suyash Sharma, Kulwant Khejroliya, Harshit Rana

Kolkata Knight Riders signed England batter Jason Roy for Rs. 2.8 crore for the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 season. Roy’s base price was Rs. 1.5 crore.

The purple-and-gold brigade was jolted when Shreyas Iyer was ruled out for the season due to a back injury. Experienced all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan’s unavailability was another blow.