The Kolkata Knight Riders emerged victorious in an IPL thriller, edging out the Royal Challengers Bengaluru by a single run despite a late charge by the latter's batsmen. The match saw Virat Kohli, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru captain, express his frustration at his dismissal.
Bengaluru's innings began with a score of 222-6 after they elected to field first at Kolkata's Eden Gardens. Phil Salt, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru wicket-keeper, made an impressive 48 runs off 14 balls, while captain Shreyas Iyer contributed 50 runs.
Bengaluru needed 21 to win in the final over bowled by Mitchell Starc. The Australian left-arm quick was hit for three sixes by Karn Sharma, the team's number 10 batsman, before he was caught and bowled. Wicketkeeper Salt then ran out Lockie Ferguson on the last ball, despite a wide throw by the fielder, as Bengaluru were bowled out for 221.
Bengaluru experienced an early setback in their chase when Virat Kohli, who made a seven-ball 18, was dismissed caught and bowled by Harshit Rana.
The former India captain appeared confident that the high full-toss was above his waist as the umpires checked for a no-ball.
TV umpire Michael Gough declared it out after technology indicated that the trajectory of the ball had dipped below the waist of the batsman. The batsman, who had been involved in an exchange of words with the on-field officials, returned to the pavilion in a state of considerable anger.
The recent drama did not help Bengaluru in their chase, with the bottom-placed side in the 10-team table slumping to their seventh loss in eight matches.
Earlier, Kolkata started strongly with Salt’s explosive knock, with the England wicketkeeper-batsman smashing seven fours and three sixes.
Fast bowlers Yash Dayal and Cameron Green took two wickets each, which had an impact on Kolkata’s top and middle order. However, Iyer remained calm and raised his fifty in 35 balls. He was dismissed after a 40-run stand with Rinku Singh, who hit 24.
Andre Russell, who made 27 off 10 balls and Ramandeep Singh, who hit 24 off nine, concluded the innings with a flourish in an unbeaten stand of 43.
Russell then demonstrated his pace bowling, taking three wickets, while fellow West Indian Sunil Narine took two to dent the chase.
England's Will Jacks and Rajat Patidar, who made 55 and 52 respectively, attempted to set up a successful chase in a stand of 102 runs for the third wicket, which was unfortunately broken by Russell. Russell took down both the batsmen in one over, and Narine, who was playing as a mystery spinner, took another double blow, including Green and Mahipal Lomror, in one over.
Despite Dinesh Karthik's 18-ball 25 and Sharma's 20 off seven balls, Kolkata demonstrated resilience in defending their position.