In a thrilling encounter at the M Chinnaswamy Cricket Ground, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) secured a comprehensive victory over Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the tenth league match of IPL 2024 T20 on March 29. Chasing a target of 183 runs set by RCB, Kolkata achieved the target with ease, winning the match by 7 wickets in just 16.5 overs.
The match witnessed an exceptional display of batting prowess from Kolkata’s top order, led by Venkatesh Iyer, Phil Salt, Sunil Narine, and skipper Shreyas Iyer. Venkatesh Iyer, in particular, shone with a brilliant half-century, supported by significant contributions from Sunil Narine and Shreyas Iyer. Their collective effort ensured Kolkata’s victory and continued their dominance over Bengaluru at their home ground for the ninth consecutive year.
Venkatesh Iyer, in a post-match interview, highlighted the advantage Kolkata gained from the pitch conditions. He emphasized that the pitch, which posed difficulties for Bengaluru in the first innings, turned favorable for batting during Kolkata’s chase. He credited Sunil Narine for alleviating pressure early in the innings and acknowledged the importance of a solid start in pursuit of the target.
Reflecting on his performance, Venkatesh Iyer expressed gratitude to his partner and future wife for her support and credited Vijayakumar for his challenging bowling. He emphasized the significance of countering opposition strategies, particularly against left-arm spinners, and stressed the importance of adapting to varying pitch conditions.
With this victory, Kolkata Knight Riders maintained their unbeaten streak in the tournament, winning both matches they have played so far. Meanwhile, Royal Challengers Bangalore faced setbacks, suffering their second defeat in three matches despite Virat Kohli’s valiant effort.
As the IPL 2024 progresses, Kolkata Knight Riders will look to build on their momentum, while Royal Challengers Bangalore will seek to bounce back from their recent defeats and regain their winning form.