Abu Dhabi, September 20: Kolkata Knight Riders humble Royal Challengers Bangalore in Match 31 of IPL 2021 at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Monday (September 20) thanks to a combined bowling effort followed by swift response with bat from the openers.
After Andre Russell and Varun Chakravarthy's three wicket hauls helped KKR restrict RCB to a meager total of 92 in 19 overs, openers Shubman Gill and Venkatesh Iyer shared a 82 run stand to register a 9-wicket win with 60 balls to spare.
Opening the bowling, architect-turned-mystery spinner Chakravarthy (3/13) did the star turn with three wickets in an excellent four-over spell, while Star all-rounder Russell (3/9 in three overs) also bagged three wickets, including AB de Villiers' golden duck.
Lockie Ferguson and Prasidh Krishan were also among the wickets as the Kiwi pacer took two wickets and the lanky Indian pacer took the important wicket of Virat Kohli.
Devdutt Padikkal was the highest scorer with 22 runs in a forgettable outing in skipper Kohli's 200th game for RCB.
In response to RCB's 92, KKR openers Iyer (41 not out off 27 balls) and Gill (48 off 34 balls) powered their side to the fifth position. Yuzvendra Chahal was the lone wicket taker for RCB.
Here are the highlights of IPL 2021, Match 31, KKR vs RCB:
END OF THE MATCH: After a splendid bowling performance, the openers sealed the match for Kolkata Knight Riders, who defeated Royal Challengers Bangalore by 9 wickets with 60 balls to spare.
Back to back FOURS! And it's all over as Iyer hits Chahal for three successive fours to get KKR past the target of 93.
OUT! Chahal gets the breakthrough, but it's late in the day. Gill departs for 48 off 34 balls as he holes out to Siraj at long off. KKR - 82/1 in 9.1 overs.
FOUR! Misfield in the deep gifts another boundary to Gill, who closes in on a fifty. KKR - 82/0 in 9 overs.
DROPPED! A tough chance though as Harshal Patel drops Iyer on his follow through. KKR - 77/0 in 8.3 overs.
FOUR! Iyer reverse sweeps for the second boundary in Hasaranga's second over. KKR - 75/0 in 8 overs, need just 18 runs to win now.
SIX! Gill gets his first maximum as he steps down the track and hits Hasaranga over long on for a six.
Harshal concedes 6 runs from his first over. KKR - 62/0 in 7 overs, need 31 runs to win from 78 balls.
Virat Kohli introduces Harshal Patel into the attack, but the game seems to have gone for RCB with KKR needing just 37 runs to win.
At the third strategic time-out, KKR reach 56/0 in 6 overs with Gill and Iyer unbeaten on 30 and 22 respectively.
FOUR! Once again Gill slog sweeps Chahal as KKR cross fifty inside powerplay. Need just 37 runs to win now.
FOUR! Gill slog sweeps Chahal and KKR seem to be in a hurry as they look to complete the run chase quickly.
NO ball, free hit, FOURS, SIX and it's all looking too easy for KKR as Iyer and Gill take Jamieson to the cleaners. KKR - 45/0 in 5 overs.
FOUR! Once again Gill walks down the track to Jamieson and slaps it towards long off for a boundary.
FOUR! Venkatesh Iyer drives Hasaranga through covers for his third boundary of the match. KKR - 29/0 in 4 overs.
Debutant Hasaranga given the duty of bowling inside powerplay as RCB look to defend a low total.
Siraj comes back well in his second over as he concedes just 2 runs form it. KKR - 22/0 in 3 overs, need 71 runs from 102 balls to win.
Jamieson concedes 10 runs from his first over. KKR - 20/0 in 2 overs, need 73 runs to win from 108 balls.
FOUR! Gill marches down the track and lofts Jamieson over mid-on for his first boundary of the innings. KKR - 16/0 in 1.2 overs.
Kyle Jamieson shares the new ball with Siraj as RCB look for wickets and that's the only way they can stay in this contest. KKR - 10/0
Siraj concedes 10 runs from the first over. KKR need 83 runs to win now from 114 balls.
Back to back FOURS! Venkatesh Iyer gets off the mark with a boundary as he cuts Siraj through point and follows up with a drive though covers.
The in-form Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj takes the new ball for RCB.
Shubman Gill walks out with a new opening partner, the debutant Venkatesh Iyer as KKR begin run chase of 93.
The last time RCB bowled to KKR at this venue, they restricted them to 84/8. But that was when Kolkata batted first. Can Kohli's men repeat that performance? Stay tuned for the run chase.
End of the innings: A combined bowling effort led by Varun Chakravarthy and Andre Russell helps Kolkata Knight Riders bowl out Royal Challengers Bangalore for 92 in 19 overs.
OUT! Russell gets his third as Siraj scoops one to Varun Chakravarthy at deep fine leg and departs for 8 off 10 balls.
FOUR! Another top edge from Siraj this time off Prasidh gets RCB a boundary and closer to a triple figure total. RCB - 89/9 in 18 overs.
Ferguson finishes his quota of 4 overs with figures of 2 for 24. RCB - 83/9 in 17 overs.
Yuzvendra Chahal is the last man in for RCB and it's looking unlikely for RCB to reach a three figure total.