IPL 2024, RCB vs KKR - 3 Things That Went Wrong For RCB

Virat Kohli played a brilliant hand for RCB [iplt20.com]Virat Kohli played a brilliant hand for RCB [iplt20.com]

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) outclassed Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) by 7 wickets in an exciting encounter at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Friday.

Shreyas Iyer, the KKR skipper, won the toss and invited the hosts to bat first. RCB posted 182 runs at the end of their full quota of overs. In reply, KKR made light work of the chase and achieved the target with more than three overs to spare.

Here are three things that went wrong for RCB against KKR in the 10th match of IPL 2024.


1. Losing The Toss

KKR won an important toss against RCB [iplt20.com]KKR won an important toss against RCB [iplt20.com]

Winning the toss is a very crucial stage of the game at M Chinnaswamy Stadium. Over the years, toss has played a pivotal role at this venue. 

M Chinnaswamy Stadium is known to be a good chasing ground; of the total 89 IPL matches played at this venue, 37 have been won by the team batting first, while the team chasing has won 48 matches. 

Shreyas Iyer, the KKR skipper, won the toss and elected to field first. RCB managed to score 182 runs at the end of their 20 overs, which was 20-25 runs short of a par-total on the wicket. KKR chased the target comfortably in 16.5 overs with seven wickets in hand.


2. Dose of Slower Balls

In a match where multiple bowlers clocked above 145kph, the slower balls had the biggest say as Kolkata Knight Riders became the first away team in IPL 2024 to register a win. Playing the second of their three back-to-back home games, RCB laid out a fresh pitch for Friday's game.

Initially, the pitch looked a flat one with even pace and bounce on it. But as the game progressed the strip revealed its true nature. Towards the end of the first innings, the ball was stopping quite a bit on the pitch, making it difficult for batters to play their shots. 

The KKR seamers bowled 22 slower balls, conceding only 20 runs off them and picking up three wickets. However, RCB seamers did not find success despite following the same tactics. The 22 slower balls they bowled went for 47 runs and fetched just one wicket. This was due to the wicket getting skiddy with the dew settling on the ground in the second innings. 

RCB posted 182 for 6, which KKR chased down with more than three overs to spare. The hallmark of their victory was how quickly they read the pitch and adapted to it, both while bowling and batting.


3. Best PowerPlay of IPL 2024

Sunil Narine and Phil Salt got KKR off to a great start agains RCB [iplt20.com]Sunil Narine and Phil Salt got KKR off to a great start agains RCB [iplt20.com]

Kolkata Knight Riders scored 85 runs in the first six overs and nearly ended the fight there. 

KKR's opening partnership has been a problem in recent years, however in this game that is where the strength came from. While chasing a challenging total of 182 runs in 20 overs, openers Phil Salt and Sunil Narine got the Kolkata Knight Riders off to a blazing start. 

The powerplay effort by KKR is the best for this season. The initial onslaught put RCB out of their tracks and they failed to get back into the game. Even though they picked up a couple of wickets after the powerplay, Venkatesh Iyer and Shreyas Iyer ensured that the brilliant start did not go to vain and guided KKR to a comfortable win.