Even before its start, the second game was all about equations, especially with RR needing the most of them in their favour. But with the ruthless cricket shown by KKR yesterday, not only they washed away RR’s playoff plans, but they may have led the exit to all the other teams in the race for the 4th spot. The only solace from which RR could take away from this game was winning the toss and nothing else.
1st Innings: A brilliant partnership by KKR openers
The game started with RR chose to bowl first, considering the conditions on this ground have proved difficult to defend a total. This scenario was very well understood by KKR batters, too, which they showed in their batting intent. Both the KKR openers knew what they had to do, and as a result, we saw a brilliant 79 run partnership.
There were seven bowling changes by RR in this game, showing an apparent dilemma of their bowling options yesterday. However, the clinical spells from Chris Morris and the young find of RR, Chetan Sakariya, saw KKR restricted to 171 runs.
2nd Innings: Ruthless KKR bowling
The only aim with which Sanju Samson chose bowling was to have an easy chase. But fate had something else in mind for the RR captain yesterday. The RR fall started in the first over itself. Funnily enough, Shakib, who bowled the first over, wasn’t even required again.
Shivam Mavi and Lockie Ferguson, a combined seven wickets between these two (Mavi four, Ferguson three), literally destroyed RR batters. The match also saw Sunil Narine delivering a maiden, showcasing how clueless the Rajasthan squad was. Barring Rahul Tewatia, the lone warrior for RR in this match, no teammate stood their ground. Tewatia was the last one to fall to see his squad register a shameful total team score of 85 runs.
Conclusion
With complete dominance from KKR bowlers, the scorecard deservedly showed the KKR win by a considerable margin of 86 runs. Shivam Mavi was the player of the match (a no brainer there!)
Who would have guessed that KKR, struggling to make a mark in the first leg of IPL 2021, would make such a turnaround? Not only they have washed away KL Rahul’s brilliant innings importance of yesterday’s first fixture, but they have also given Mumbai Indians an impossible challenge to win today’s game by (at least!) 171 runs. Yes, nothing is impossible in T20 cricket, but there’s a limit to daydreaming.