The 10th match of IPL 2024 finally witnessed an away team prevail, and it came at the iconic M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore, a venue known to favour chasing teams. The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) emerged victorious, overcoming a well-made 183 from Virat Kohli, thanks in large part to a dominant opening partnership and some astute bowling decisions.
Chasing a seemingly manageable target, KKR openers Sunil Narine and Phil Salt unleashed an aggressive batting display from the very first ball. Their explosive partnership of 85 runs within the powerplay overs effectively set the tone for the chase. While Narine fell just short of his fifty (47 off 22 balls), Salt continued the onslaught with a quickfire 30 off 20 deliveries. This early blitz put RCB’s bowling attack on the back foot and significantly tilted the game in KKR’s favour.
Iyer Lauds Narine’s Aggressive Approach
KKR skipper Shreyas Iyer, at the post-match presentation ceremony, lauded Sunil Narine for his aggressive batting at the top of the order. He acknowledged the initial hesitation regarding Narine’s opening role but praised his execution: “See when Narine comes in to open, he knows he has one job which is to clear the infield. Today we were contemplating whether to start with him or not but he did a brilliant job.”
Narine’s explosive knock effectively nullified RCB’s bowling attack and provided a solid platform for KKR to chase down the target with ease.
Two-Paced Chinnaswamy Pitch Raises Concerns for Iyer
However, Shreyas Iyer wasn’t entirely pleased with the playing surface. He expressed his concerns regarding the two-paced nature of the Chinnaswamy pitch, stating, “From one end, it was good to bat on. From the other end, it was two-paced. That was the communication we had in the middle and we passed it on to others.”
The inconsistency of the pitch presented a challenge for both teams, but KKR were able to adapt and overcome it through effective communication and smart bowling strategies.
Russell’s Bowling Adaptability Impresses Iyer
Another KKR hero who garnered praise from Iyer was the ever-reliable Andre Russell. While Russell’s batting prowess is well-known, his contribution with the ball in this match was equally crucial.
Iyer commended Russell’s adaptability and quick analysis of the pitch: “The way Russell came in and realised the wicket wasn’t giving much from bowlers, and went to slower ones, analysing the conditions on the spot was pleasing to the eye. The communication was brilliant.”
Russell’s ability to adjust his bowling approach based on the pitch conditions proved invaluable, as he conceded only 29 runs in his four overs while picking up two crucial wickets – a well-settled Cameron Green and Rajat Patidar.
Looking Ahead: KKR Move On to Vizag
With this dominant victory, the Kolkata Knight Riders have not only broken the away-team jinx in IPL 2024 but have also climbed to a higher position in the points table. Following this win, Iyer outlined the team’s plan for the upcoming matches: “Would be spending a day tomorrow in Bangalore and then go to Vizag. I’m not expecting much at this point of time – it’s just the start of the tournament. Want to enjoy each other’s success – that’s the plan for now.”
The KKR skipper seems focused on maintaining team morale and momentum as they move on to their next challenge in Vizag.
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