Rajasthan Royals got the perfect start they would have wanted by opting to bowl first, as Chris Lynn (0 out; 3b) gets bowled by Varun Aaron in the 2nd ball of the 1st over, Kolkata 0-1 after just 2 balls. Subhmann Gill (14 out; 14b; 2X4) was just getting comfortable on the pitch, when Varun Aaron knocks his stumps down, another clean bowled as Kolkata Knights Riders stood at 31-2 after 5 overs. Subhman Gill and Nitish Rana were starting to build a partnership, but at the 9th over Nitish Rana (21 out; 26b; 3X4) succumbed to Shreyas Gopal’s over, this time, Varun Aaron taking the catch at point. Kolkata 42-3 after 8.1 overs. However, Skipper Dinesh Karthik and Sunil Narine was building a partnership, under pressure, they called for 2, and Sunil Narine (11out; 8b; 1X4, 1X6) not making it to the line before Varun Aaron hits the stumps, Narine goes, KKR 82-3 after 11.4 overs. Dinesh Karthik leading the team brings up his 50 at the start of 17th over. But the over ended with the Andre Russell’s (14 out; 14b; 1X6) wicket, Kolkata at 119-5 after 16.5 overs. KKR was clearly crumbling under pressure, as Carlos Braithwaite (5 out; 3b; 1X4) goes big and gets out at the start of 18th over. KKR 131-5, after 17.1 overs. Despite losing wickets, and no long withstanding partnership from his team, Dinesh Karthik was adding runs along with a brilliant show for the audiences. He ends Jaydev Unadkat’s last over with 2 sixes, a boundary and a couple of singles, with final score on board 175-5 after 20 overs. Dinesh Karthik (97 not out; 50b; 7X4, 22 out; 15b; 9X6) played the perfect role of the captain, leading the team at a crucial time when the Knights needed him the most, and standing tall till the very end of the first innings.
Kolkata Knight Riders were unable to get the desired start in the 2nd innings as well, as within the first 5 overs, Rajastha Rooyals openers, Ajinkya Rahane and Sanju Samson had chased down 50 runs. However, at the start of 6th over, Sunil Narine comes through with his spin attacks, as Ajinkya Rahane (34 out; 21b; 5X4, 1X6) walks back to the Royals dugout, RR 53-1 after 5.3 overs. Kolkata’s spinners were proving their worth for the team, as Piyush Chawla bowls Sanju Samson (21 out; 15b; 2X6) out in the very next over, Rajasthan at 63-2 after 6.3 overs. The spinners were breaking the nerves, as Narine scalps Steve Smith (2 out; 6b), with a carrom ball in the next over, RR at 63-3 after 7.2 overs. Ben Stokes (11 out; 10b; 2X4) goes down in the last ball of the 10th over trying to hit big, but big man Andre Russell at the boundary line pulls the ball down from above and holds his ground inside the line, Rajasthan Royals 78-4 after 10 overs. Stuart Binny (11 out; 11b; 1X6) hits a six in the 11th overs, after that without much contribution goes down in the 13th over, as Rinku Singh takes a good a catch at the boundary line, Piyush Chawla claims his 3rd wicket for the night. Rajasthan at 98-5 after 12.3 overs. Riyan Parag and Shreyas Gopal brought back hope to Rajasthan Royals dugout, as their smart cricketing shots were putting some extra runs to the chase. But Shreyas Gopal’s (18 out; 9b; 4X4) cameo was short, as he departs in the 16th over, Rajasthan needed 53 off 28 balls. However, Riyan Parag (47 out; 31b; 5X4, 2X6) and Jofra Archer were taking the visitors over the victory line, and KKR was unable to stop it. Parag hits his own stumps to end his game for the night as Rajasthan needed 9 off 7 balls. As 5 was needed from 5 balls, Jofra Archer (27 not out; 12b; 2x4, 2X6) hits another six to seal the victory for Rajasthan Royals at Eden Gardens.
