KKR VS RCB MATCH 31

That's it from this match. The next game on Tuesday, 21st September 2021 will be played between Punjab and Rajasthan in Dubai. The action will begin at 6 pm local (2 pm GMT) but you can join us in advance for the build-up. Cheers!

Varun Chakravarthy (4-0-13-3) is picked for the Man of the Match award. The spinner says that he tries to assess the pitch first. Credits the bowlers who bowled in the Powerplay. Tells that there wasn't much in the pitch so he bowled in the line of the stumps. On his hat-trick ball, Varun smiles and says that he thought it's out but he, later on, watched the replays and saw the inside edge. Shares that playing for India has made him feel better. Tells that he started playing cricket at 26 and playing for the country gives him a sense of acceptance.

Eoin Morgan, the victorious captain of Kolkata, says that it's very rare that you perform as well as they did in this game. Feels that the timing of this win is excellent. Mentions about the quality in their squad but adds that it counts for nothing if you don't go out there and show how good you are. Shares that he was 50-50 at the toss as he felt that the pitch won't change much. States that Bangalore started well but picking wickets changed things for them. Tells that they picked valuable wickets of Maxwell, de Villiers, Kohli and managed to get on top. Shares that as a group, it should be a treat for the players to play under him or Brendon McCullum, as they allow the batsmen to express themselves. Mentions that they have a long way to go and they need a lot of things to go right.

Shubman Gill comes up for a quick chat. The Kolkata opener says that they were very determined to make a comeback and they have made a bold statement with this win. Tells that it was a good chance to get the run rate going and it was a plan. On his new batting partner, Venkatesh Iyer, Gill shares that he was batting well in the practice games and it's exciting to see him batting so well on debut. Admits that he was gutted to get out and hopes to get a fifty in the next game. On the surface, Gill opines that in the first innings it was a bit slow but in the second innings, the ball was coming on very nicely.

Virat Kohli, the captain of Bangalore, says that it was important to get partnerships on this surface. States that it looked like it will slow down and they didn't expect so much dew to kick in so early. Further says that from 40 odd for one, they lost 5 wickets for 20 odd runs and it's a wake-up call for them. Tells that as professional cricketers you are expected to turn up and they have never found it tough but sometimes it takes a game to get going. Praises Varun Chakravarthy for his bowling and feels that he is going to be a key factor when he will play for India. Adds that they expect a loss here and there and will have to take this loss in their stride. Wants his team to stick to its strengths and execute the plans on the field. Hopes to put up strong performances from here on.

Time for the presentation...

A walk in the park for Kolkata! Their bowlers set the tone in this match and through some disciplined bowling, they restricted Bangalore to a paltry total. These kinds of totals could prove to be tricky sometimes but the refreshing positive approach from Venkatesh Iyer and Shubman Gill demolished the target. The former looks like a naturally aggressive batsman while Gill showed his hitting range in this chase, something he has not done in the past. Bangalore were flavourless with the bat and listless with the ball. An evening to forget for them. With this thumping win, Kolkata have jumped to number 5 on the points table and given a lifeline to their campaign.

FOUR! Venkatesh Iyer has finished off the chase in style. A perfect debut knock from him! A short ball, on middle, Venkatesh Iyer rocks back and pulls it wide of deep mid-wicket for a boundary. Kolkata win by 9 wickets with 60 balls to spare!

FOUR! Just 3 runs needed now! A full ball, on middle. Venkatesh Iyer comes down the track and spanks it straight down the ground for a boundary, beating both long on and long off.

Flatter and spinning back in on middle. Iyer defends it back to the bowler.

FOUR! Continues to be innovative! A slower short ball, on middle, Venkatesh Iyer goes for the reverse hit and thumps it over point for a boundary.

Full and on off, driven to covers where the fielder made a diving stop.

Andre Russell is sent up the order to finish off this chase. 11 needed more.

OUT! TAKEN! A brilliant inning from Shubman Gill comes to an end! Chahal serves a full ball, around off. Shubman Gill dances down the track and looks to go downtown. He does not reach the pitch of the ball and thus hits it off the toe end of his bat. It goes in the air and towards long off where Mohammed Siraj takes a good catch.

On middle, on a length, flicked to mid-wicket for a single. 11 needed in 66 balls.

FOUR! Not a good evening for Bangalore and this fielding effort sums it up pretty well! A full toss angling on the pads. Shubman Gill flicks it in the gap towards deep mid-wicket. The fielder runs across to his right and slides but the ball goes past him to find the fence.

This is KKR's highest opening stand since the 2020 season. Previous: 72 between Gill and Rana against MI in Chennai earlier this year.