IPL 2018, RCB vs KKR: 3 masterstrokes from the game between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Kolkata Knightriders

RCB had all to do as they were heading into the clash with KKR

It was a do or die contest for the Virat Kohli led RCB side as they squared off against Kolkata Knight Riders at the Chinnaswamy stadium.

RCB got off to a shaky start as they lost three quick wickets with not many runs on the board. However, a brilliant onslaught from Virat Kohli in the death overs ensured that RCB posted an above par score of 175 runs on a dry surface.

In reply, Kolkata got off to a strong start with some big hits from Chris Lynn and Sunil Narine at the top.

After Narine departed, Robin Uthappa played an attractive cameo to keep the momentum going for the KKR side.

They were also helped by some sloppy fielding from Bangalore side who missed catches, run outs and leaked runs.

In the end, Kolkata romped home with five balls to spare. Sportskeeda takes a look at some masterstrokes from the game that worked wonders.

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#1 Kohli’s calculated knock

Kohli played a captain's knock to guide RCB to a challenging score

Virat Kohli put in a masterclass today on how to build T20 innings. Sensing that the pitch was slow and a bit two-paced, Virat cut down the target score from 190-200 to 170-180.

As RCB had a long tail today and they had lost three wickets quickly, Virat very wisely nudged the singles around for 34 overs.

Once fully set, he went for the big shots. Virat’s knock of 68 runs of just 44 balls helped them post a competitive score of 175 runs.

On a pitch where many batsmen would have faltered in trying to score in excess of 200, Kohli’s calculated knock kept RCB in the game.

#2 Kohli picking Ashwin

Ashwin was very effective on the day

Washington Sundar had impressed everyone in the Indian colours in the Nidahas trophy. But Sundar has struggled for form in this year’s IPL and hence was dropped from today’s game in favour of the wrist spin of Murugan Ashwin.

The move paid off as Ashwin got two big wickets. First, he dismissed the well-set Narine who sliced a catch to long off on the very first ball of Ashwin’s spell.

Ashwin got a good purchase from the surface and even the big-hitting Chris Lynn failed to get a hold of him.

After being spanked for 14 runs in his previous over, Ashwin had the courage to pitch the ball up to Uthappa in his next over who gave a simple catch to Tim Southee at long on.

#3 Lynn brings out the sweep

Lynn guided KKR home

Lynn is known for his power hitting the ground. The words “brute force” are often associated with his batting.

However, today Lynn showed a different aspect of his batting as he brought out the sweep shot to good effect against the wrist spinners of RCB.

Failing to pick the variation from bowler’s hand, Lynn resorted to the old saying of “when in doubt, sweep”.

The move worked wonders as he smashed both the wrist spinners Chahal and Ashwin for boundaries with his sweep shots.

It not only allowed him to pick up the boundaries in the middle overs but also helped him in rotating the strike.

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