Kallis and Gambhir keep Knight Riders alive
Kolkata Knight Riders bounced back to inflict a comprehensive defeat on Royal Challengers Bangalore and keep their own hopes alive in the Champions League
Kolkata Knight Riders bounced back to inflict a comprehensive defeat on Royal Challengers Bangalore and keep their own hopes alive in the Champions League
Scorer: Sanjay Murari | Commentator: Nitin Sundar
Right so, another game done and dusted. Sid Talya's updated match report will be up here in a bit. Do read it on your way out, and we look forward to your company for Cobras v Mumbai Indians tomorrow. This is Nitin Sundar signing off on behalf of the gang at ESPNcricinfo. Cheers!
Presentations time, and Ravi Shastri booms away as always.
Kallis: "We played some poor cricket in the last two games, and we needed the senior playes to put up a big performance today, which we did. Brad got us off to a quick start, and after that we just had to stay there and see it through. Gambhir is a magnificent player. We missed him when he was injured, but it is great to have him back. There's always hope that we can sneak him. We should try and beat the Warriors first, and get the run-rate up and then sit around and wait for a bit."
Vettori: "We have posted 170 in the last 2 games and gone inside thinking we can win this, but our bowling and fielding hasn't been up to scratch. We are going to have to reflect on that quick, two must-win games now. We will probably rely on other results, but we need to do our bit and win the next two games. Bowling and fielding were our strengths in the IPL, so we need to correct that soon."
Gambhir: "We have the talent to win this tournament, and we have one more game. If we win, who knows. The way Brett and Kallis bowled in the first six overs was tremendous. But we do have concerns with our death bowling."
Two teams that have had two losses now in this group, and I think KKR have ruined RCB's tournament. I am not a quick math whiz, there might be an outside chance for one of them, but come on - let's be realistic. In hindsight, RCB's top order lost the game by dawdling away through the initial parts of their innings. Vettori and co did well to revive them, but this looked like a 190 sort of pitch. Everything came on to the bat so beautifully, as Gambhir would testify.
"Last thing you want is to fire up Gauti. Kohli - of all RCB players you should know that!" One way or the other, Gambhir looked fired up today. What a stunner, that innings.
6 to win off 3 overs.
ESPNcricinfo presents the Plays of the Day from the match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Kolkata Knight Riders in Bangalore
Kolkata Knight Riders bounced back to inflict a comprehensive defeat on Royal Challengers Bangalore and keep their own hopes alive in the Champions League
Not only did Gautam Gambhir's half century propel Kolkata Knight Riders to a campaign-saving win, it was also his first noteworthy innings since a concussion cut short his tour of England
Virat Kohli has urged his team to put aside the injury-enforced departure of AB de Villiers and get their Champions League T20 campaign on track after the opening defeat to Warriors
Group A | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Team | M | W | L | PT | NRR |
NSW | 4 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 0.627 |
MI | 4 | 2 | 1 | 5 | -0.28 |
T&T | 4 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 0.176 |
COBRA | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0.229 |
CSK | 4 | 1 | 3 | 2 | -0.712 |
Group B | |||||
Team | M | W | L | PT | NRR |
SOM | 4 | 2 | 1 | 5 | -0.557 |
RCB | 4 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 0.325 |
KKR | 4 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 0.306 |
WAR | 4 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 0.246 |
SOA | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | -0.533 |
Qualifying Tournament Pool A | |||||
Team | M | W | L | PT | NRR |
SOM | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0.3 |
KKR | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -0.225 |
AUCK | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | -0.075 |
Qualifying Tournament Pool B | |||||
Team | M | W | L | PT | NRR |
T&T | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 1.659 |
RU | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -0.275 |
LEICS | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | -1.375 |