Video of Game-Changing Moment of the Match : Catch Dropped : RCB vs KKR

RCB vs KKR, Eliminator 2021, 11 October, 07:30 PM IST

Match Result : KKR won by 4 wickets

Player of the Match : Sunil Narine

Match Report : Three balls of Sunil Narine, with the bat, changed the game. And now Kolkata Knight Riders are one step closer to the final.

But maybe the dropped catch by Shahbaaz too was a game-changing moment. Because it sure did drop the team’s spirit and continued the flow of momentum in KKR’s favour. Although Harshal Patel brought them the same wicket in two overs, maybe if the catch was taken, the wicket could had fallen earlier and KKR’s batting order might had tumbled quite before.

It was tough though. Royal Challengers Bangalore were defending a total of 138 with a fighting spirit.

The score was 80 for 3 in the 12th over. The Sharjah slowdown was well visible to all. On this pitch an equation that reads 59 from 51 can be tricky. You can’t leave it too late. Too many variables. So Knight Riders sent in their pinch hitter and he went 6, 6, (wide) and 6. This decision was perhaps influenced by yesterday’s CSK’s decision to send Thakur early on. While CSK’s gamble didn’t work, KKR’s did. Exceptionally well.

Three balls of Narine changed the game(this time with the ball in his hand). Twenty-four balls earlier had set it up. Royal Challengers actually had a solid powerplay – 53 for 1 at 8.8. Then he came on and the runs dried up. Only 60 came off the next 11 overs. 60 for 4 at 5.45.

Virat Kohli: “I think those middle overs where their spinners dominated the game was the difference. They kept bowling in tight areas and kept picking wickets. We had a great start and it was about quality bowling and not bad batting. They thoroughly deserve to win this one and be in the next round. The fight till the end with the ball has been the hallmark of our team.

That one big over [22 runs] in the middle deflated our chances. We fought till the last over and made an amazing game out of it. 15 runs less with the bat and a couple of big overs with the ball cost us. Sunil Narine has always been a quality bowler and today he once again showed it. Shakib, Varun and him created pressure and didn’t allow our batsmen to get away in the middle.

[On him leaving captaincy at RCB] I have tried my best to create a culture here where youngsters could come in and play with freedom and belief. It is something I have done with India as well. I have given my best. I don’t know how the response has been, but I have given 120% to this franchise every time, which is something I will now do as a player.

It is a great time to regroup and restructure for the next three years with people who will take this ahead. [On him staying with RCB] Yes definitely, I don’t see myself playing anywhere else. Loyalty matters more to me than worldly pleasures. I would be in the RCB till the last day I play in the IPL.”

Narine | Player of the Match: “Any good performance in a match-winning game is always good. Today was my day and made the best use of it. All wickets I enjoy. I’m not that close to what I was before but I’m getting there.

Hard work is paying off. Always get some heartbeats before the game. But cool and calm during the game. Prefer to have the ball in hand which you can control.”