In a thrilling start to the Indian Premier League season, Royal Challengers Bengaluru claimed a decisive victory by seven wickets against the reigning champions, Kolkata Knight Riders, in Kolkata. Virat Kohli was the star of the show, driving Bengaluru’s chase of 177-3 to completion in just 16.2 overs with an impressive unbeaten 59 off 36 balls. This victory marked a successful entry into the tournament for Bengaluru’s new captain, Rajat Patidar.
Despite a fiery 56 off 31 balls by Kolkata’s captain, Ajinkya Rahane, the team couldn’t capitalize on the momentum and were limited to 174-8. Patidar’s decision to field first after winning the toss paid off significantly at Eden Gardens.
Philadelphia Salt, who previously played for Kolkata, showcased his prowess during the powerplay as Bengaluru raced to 80-0 within the first six overs. Salt was in formidable form, punishing former teammate and spinner Varun Chakarvarthy for 21 runs in just one over. Not to be outdone, Kohli demonstrated his dominance by hitting Australian fast bowler Spencer Johnson for two consecutive sixes.
Chakarvarthy eventually stopped Salt in the ninth over, but not before he had left his mark. Kohli celebrated his half-century in style, smashing Harshit Rana for his fourth boundary, maintaining the pressure with Bengaluru’s rapid scoring rate. Patidar further compounded Kolkata’s woes with a brisk 34 from 16 balls before succumbing at mid-wicket. Liam Livingstone wrapped up the chase, executing a spectacular hooked six and a boundary to finish the game.
Kolkata’s innings, led by Rahane, got off to a promising start, reaching 107-2 in the first half, with Sunil Narine contributing a quickfire 44 from 26 balls. However, spinner Krunal Pandya’s spell of 3-29 stifled the home team’s progress as Kolkata struggled to find runs, managing only 67 in the latter half.
Pandya’s precise bowling dismantled the Kolkata lineup, claiming key wickets including those of Rahane, Rinku Singh, and Venkatesh Iyer. Along with former Kolkata player Suyash Kumar, who bowled out Andre Russell for a meek four, he ensured the power-hitters were removed before they could impact the final overs, leaving Kolkata at 145-5 in 15 overs.
Josh Hazlewood also played a crucial role for Bengaluru, conceding a mere nine runs in his first three overs, establishing tight early-game pressure. Despite a powerful 103-run partnership between Rahane and Narine, Pandya, Hazlewood, and Yash Dayal’s disciplined bowling curtailed Kolkata’s total effectively.
