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Faf Du Plessis-led Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) bowled Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) out for a paltry 128 in their Indian Premier League (IPL) match at the DY Patil stadium on Wednesday. RCB rode on Wanindu Hasaranga's spellbinding bowling who ripped through the KKR batting line-up to leave them sulking. Hasaranga, who was roped in for Rs 10.75 crore in the IPL mega auction, snared four wickets while conceding mere 20 runs in his magical spell. Meanwhile, he found the able partners in debutant Akash Deep (3/45) and Harshal Patel (2/11).
KKR were teetering at 101 for nine before Umesh Yadav (18) and Varun Chakaravarthy (10) took them to a respectable total of 128. Playing his 400th T20 match, Andre Russell remained the top scorer for KKR with a 25 off 18 but Harshal Patel broke his resistance with his variations.
Earlier, Bangalore won the toss and elected to bowl first. KKR started on a poor note losing Venkatesh Iyer 10 (14), Ajinkya Rahane 9 (10), and Nitish Rana 10 (5) in the powerplay overs. Shreyas Iyer also failed to do much as he was dismissed on 13 (10).
Andre Russell was the highest scorer for KKR with a 18-ball 25, while Umesh Yadav (18) and Varun Chakravarthy (10) added 27 runs for the last wicket, the highest partnership for KKR, to provide some respectability to the total.
Venkatesh Iyer was the first to be dismissed with Akash Deep striking on his first delivery, while Ajinkya Rahane's shaky start ended when he was holed out in the fifth over off Siraj as KKR slipped to 32/2.
Nitish Rana produced a first-ball six, disposed a low full toss across point, but Akash Deep had the last laugh with David Willey producing a stunning catch to send him back to the pavillion.
With KKR reaching 44 for 3 in the first six overs, it was time for skipper Shreyas Iyer to go as he paid the price for an irresponsible shot, hitting straight to Du Plessis at long-on off Hasaranga.
Despite the match situation, West Indies all-rounder Sunil Narine decided to play his shots and lofted Akash Deep over mid-off before top-edging him for a maximum.
However, he didn't last long and ended up giving an easy catch to point fielder off Hasaranga, who dealt another blow in the next delivery, knocking the stumps of Sheldon Jackson with a ripping googly as KKR slumped to 67 for 6 in 9 overs.
Sam Billing, who survived an LBW appeal in his first ball, slammed a six before making his way back to the hut with a miscued pull which was comfortably held by Kohli at long-on.
Big-hitting West Indies all-rounder Russell smashed three sixes and a four in his 18-ball 25 before edging Harshal Patel to Dinesh Karthik. Harshal in his brilliant spell bowled two magical maidens to prove his bowling prowess.
Tim Southee then mistimed one from Hasaranga to Du Plessis at long-on.
Varun and Umesh hit a couple of fours before the latter was cleaned up by Akash Deep.
Both teams have had contrasting starts to their IPL 2022 campaigns so far. While RCB lost out to Punjab Kings (PBKS) in a high-scoring thriller, KKR eased past defending champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the tournament opener. RCB were excellent with the bat with newly-appointed skipper Faf du Plessis and former skipper Virat Kohli all scoring runs for fun. However, they will have a lot of work to do in the bowling department. KKR, on the other hand, impressed with their bowling, especially Umesh Yadav, who will have a point to prove against his former team. Notably, KKR won two of three games against RCB last season, including the Eliminator 1. It will be a perfect chance for RCB to get back to winning ways after dented by Punjab Kings in a high scoring thriller in their IPL opener on March 27.
