Kohli, Salt power RCB to victory in IPL Opener Vs KKR

Virat Kohli made a tremendous start in the Indian Premier League (IPL) Tournament with a 30-ball half century as Royal Challengers Bengaluru defeated the defending champion Kolkata Knight Riders by seven wickets in the opening match of the series at Eden Gardens.

Kohli secured Bengaluru’s run chase of 177-3 in 16.2 overs with an unbeaten 59 off 36 balls which gave his team a winning start to the lucrative two-month long T20 tournament.

Kolkata was restricted to 174-8 after Patidar won the toss and elected to field.

Phil Salt, who was not retained by Kolkata for this season, was ruthless in the powerplay as Bengaluru quickly reached 80-0 in the first six overs.

Salt smashed spinner Varun Chakarvarthy (1-43) for 21 runs in one over inside the powerplay and Kohli smacked Australian fast bowler Spencer Johnson for two back-to-back sixes.

Chakarvarthy provided a late breakthrough when he had Salt caught as he attempted another big hit in the ninth over.

Kohli reached his half century when he belted Harshit Rana over cover for his fourth boundary. Patidar smacked Rana for four boundaries in one over in his knock of 34 off just 16 balls before he was dismissed, Liam Livingstone (15 not out) finished off the game quickly with a six off Johnson and a boundary.

Earlier, Rahane made a confident start with an aggressive half century for Kolkata, but spinner Krunal Pandya (3-29) ruined the home team in the second half of the innings.

Kolkata cruised to 107-2 in the first 10 overs when Sunil Narine was dismissed for 44 off 26 balls. However, Pandya’s flawless bowling allowed Kolkata to score only 67 in the final 10 overs.

Pandya got the wickets of Rahane, Rinku Singh (12) and Venkatesh lyer (6) while Suyash Kumar had big-hitter Andre Russell clean bowled for only four.

Kolkata lost their power-hitters and slipped to 145-5 in 15 overs. Kolkata fell further when Kumar Russell was dismissed by Kumar.

Josh Hazlewood (2-22) bowled well and allowed Kolkata to score only nine runs in the first three overs before Rahane and Narine blasted a 103-run stand.

Pandya, Hazlewood and Yash Dayal bowled well in the final overs to restrict Kolkata’s total.