Virat Kohli was involved in controversy during the crucial IPL 2024 match between Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). The former Indian captain’s frustration boiled over as a contentious decision cut short his innings, sparking a heated debate among fans and experts alike.

Kohli’s dismissal and his reaction

In the third over of RCB’s innings, Kohli faced a delivery from Harshit Rana, which appeared to be a waist-high full toss. Regarding the delivery, Kohli expressed his displeasure, believing it should have been called a no-ball. However, the on-field umpire’s decision stood, and Kohli, outfoxed by Rana, ended up giving a top edge to the bowler, resulting in his dismissal for 18 runs off seven balls.

See Also: Big blow to DC, star all-rounder ruled out of IPL 2024

Despite opting for a review, Kohli’s fate remained unchanged as the third umpire upheld the on-field decision. The disappointment was palpable as Kohli vented his frustration, questioning the umpire’s call and igniting a fiery exchange of words on the field.

Official Statement

In the match’s aftermath, Kohli was fined 50% of his match fee for breaching the IPL’s Code of Conduct. In an official statement, the IPL confirmed Kohli’s violation of Article 2.8, a Level 1 offence, and emphasized the binding nature of the match referee’s decision.

“Mr Virat Kohli, Batter, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, has been fined 50 per cent of his match fees for breaching the IPL Code of Conduct during Match 36 of the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 against Kolkata Knight Riders at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata on April 21, 2024,” IPL said in a statement. As per the IPL statement, Kohli committed a Level 1 offence under Article 2.8 of the IPL’s Code of Conduct. The former RCB skipper admitted to the offence and accepted the match referee’s sanction. “For Level 1 breaches of the Code of Conduct, the Match Referee’s decision is final and binding,” the statement added.

Analysis of the Decision

The use of Hawk-Eye technology played a pivotal role in analyzing the trajectory of the delivery concerning Kohli’s stance. The TV umpire’s assessment revealed that the delivery would have passed below the batter’s waist had he remained within the popping crease, leading to Kohli’s dismissal.

Commenting on the incident, RCB skipper Faf du Plessis acknowledged the contentious nature of the decision, expressing his and Kohli’s belief that the ball was possibly higher than waist height.

Additionally, the IPL media advisory confirmed that RCB captain Du Plessis was fined for his team’s slow over-rate during the match against KKR, highlighting the importance of maintaining discipline on the field.

RCB vs KKR Match Preview

On Sunday afternoon at Eden Gardens, the Kolkata Knight Riders will face Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Match 36 of the 2024 Indian Premier League. KKR has won four of their six matches so far and is in second place, with RCB at the bottom of the table. KKR’s recent defeats have come against the early pace setters Rajasthan Royals and last year’s Champions Chennai Super Kings. RCB currently has no teams below them in the league, and their bowling unit’s confidence is particularly low, as evidenced by all of their bowlers recording economy rates ranging from 10.66 to 18.00 in their most recent match.

RCB vs KKR Match Details

Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Kolkata Knight Riders – 36th Match

Venue: Eden Gardens – Kolkata

Date & Time: 21th April 2024 at 03:30 PM IST 

Live Streaming: Jio Cinema

RCB vs KKR Venue Stats

RCB vs KKR Pitch Report

The field at the Kolkata will be flat, with little help available. The spinners get odd balls to grip and turn, but the ground is very small, and even mishits go over the ropes, so bowlers have very little control here.

RCB vs KKR Weather Report

Bangalore is experiencing a dry spell, so rain is not a concern. The temperature will range between 35 and 21 degrees, with a humidity of around 30%.

RCB vs KKR Last Five Matches

RCB vs KKR Head-to-Head Stats

Injury News

No Injury. Will be added when there is an update.

Also Read: Selfish or Selfless? Netizens divided on Rohit’s knock against CSK

RCB vs KKR Probable Playing XIs:

Royal Challengers Bengaluru Probable Playing XIs

Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis (c), Will Jacks, Rajat Patidar, Saurav Chauhan, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Mahipal Lomror, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Reece Topley, Lockie Ferguson, Yash Dayal

Kolkata Knight Riders Probable Playing XIs

Phil Salt (wk), Sunil Narine, Venkatesh Iyer, Shreyas Iyer (c), Angkirsh Raghuvanshi, Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Ramandeep Singh, Mitchell Starc, Varun Chakravarthy, Harshit Rana

Topmost Picks for RCB vs KKR Dream11 Prediction:

Top Picks – Royal Challengers Bengaluru

• Virat Kohli- Virat Kohli has carried RCB’s batting on his shoulders. He has been magnificent and currently holds the orange cap with 319 runs in six games, including a century and two fifties.
• Reece Topley- the tall English left-arm pace bowler was very expensive against Sunrisers Hyderabad but still got the first wicket of the evening when he dismissed Abhishek Sharma.

Top Picks – Kolkata Knight Riders

• Sunil Narine- the 35 year old all-rounder not only hit a century but also took 2/30 with the ball. He is having an exceptional IPL 2024 season.
• Harshit Rana- the 22 year old right-arm fast bowler took 2/45 in the last game at this venue but also has taken 3/33 against Sunrisers here earlier in this tournament.

Suggested Playing XI N0.1 for RCB vs KKR Dream11 Team:

Phil Salt, Dinesh Karthik, Angkirsh Raghuvanshi, Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis(VC), Sunil Narine(C), Andre Russell, Will Jacks, Reece Topley, Varun Chakravarthy, Lockie Ferguson

Suggested Playing XI N0.2 for RCB vs KKR Dream11 Team:

Phil Salt, Dinesh Karthik, Angkirsh Raghuvanshi, Virat Kohli(C), Faf du Plessis, Sunil Narine, Andre Russell(VC), Will Jacks, Reece Topley, Varun Chakravarthy, Lockie Ferguson

Captain and Vice-Captain Options:

Captain – Sunil Narine, Virat Kohli

Vice-captain – Faf du Plessis, Andre Russell

Wicketkeeper – Phil Salt

RCB vs KKR Probable Winners:

KKR are the favourites to win. They are a more balanced team than RCB. The majority of KKR batters are in excellent form, and their bowling has been particularly impressive, with Cummins and Bhuvneshwar Kumar performing admirably in recent games. RCB has lost their last four games and has a poor bowling attack. It will be difficult for RCB to stop KKR at the small Chinnaswamy Stadium, so KKR should be backed to win. Considering the team combination, Kolkata Knight Riders are expected to win this match.

In their second IPL 2024 match on Friday, Kolkata Knight Riders worked together to win by seven wickets against Royal Challengers Bangalore. They were chasing a target of 183 runs. The team got off to a good start thanks to Sunil Narine, who scored 47 runs off 22 balls. Then, Venkatesh Iyer scored 50 runs off 30 balls, and Shreyas Iyer remained not out with 39 runs off 24 balls. KKR reached 186/3 in 16.5 overs, securing their victory.

Venkatesh praises Shreyas and said…

“I think the wicket got better. Credit to you, you chose to bowl first. That was a very good decision. Important toss for us to win. You saw out there, it got better to bat. It was important for us to understand that the ball bowled at a slower pace was not coming on to the bat as nicely. So I think that was very important for us. Credit to Sunny for what he did in the second innings.”

Even though Virat Kohli played well and scored 83 runs off 59 balls for RCB, their total score was 182/6. It seemed like a tough target, but Narine’s quick start for KKR made it seem much easier.

Narine’s strong beginning put KKR in control, making it simpler for Venkatesh and Shreyas to finish the game with 19 balls to spare.

See Also: Netizens troll Virat Kohli despite his 83-run knock, here’s why

He also added, “It was important for me to carry on the momentum. We have all spoken about taking the momentum through and if we do get a platform, then banking on it. That’s what Sunny did, he gave us an amazing start and all I had to do was just go and capitalise on that. When you came in, I think the communication among us was amazing. You know which bowler to take on, which end to look for shots and I think that really helped us.”

Shreyas reveals their planning of batting by saying…

“To be honest when we were communicating in between, the wicket was two-paced and from one end it was coming great onto the bat and from the other end, it was stopping a bit, getting some extra nip with the slower one. So, that’s what basically I realised that this is the way we have to play and one end we have to target the bowlers and from the other, we need to atleast get ball-to-ball runs. That was the communication which we had and that was the mindset to finish off the game.” 

On March 29, in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, Kolkata emerged victorious in their eagerly awaited encounter against Bengaluru, clinching a 7-wicket win. Phil Salt, Sunil Narine, and Venkatesh Iyer showcased exemplary batting skills, leading Kolkata to their sixth consecutive triumph at the M Chinnaswamy stadium since their maiden win in 2016.

Despite Virat Kohli’s impressive unbeaten 83-run innings, Bengaluru’s efforts fell short as Kolkata chased down the target of 183 runs in just the 17th over. The clash, much anticipated by the home crowd, turned into a disappointment as Kolkata became the first away team to secure a win in the IPL 2024 season. Despite notable performances by Kohli and Cameron Green, Bengaluru couldn’t prevent Kolkata from claiming their second victory of the season, thanks to their outstanding batting display.

Venkatesh Iyer and Shreyas Iyer rule the ground  

Venkatesh Iyer, scoring 50 runs off 30 deliveries, and skipper Shreyas Iyer, contributing 39 runs off 24 balls, played crucial roles in KKR’s victory, allowing them to achieve the target with 19 balls to spare, marking their second win in three games. Following their triumph, Kolkata Captain Shreyas Iyer emphasized how the break before the Bengaluru clash proved beneficial for the team’s preparation. He also commended Andre Russell for his impressive performance.

He said, “Coming here, getting those two sessions of practice, we were in a good shape from the previous game. Coming and hitting few balls, it felt comfortable from within. The way Russell came in and realised the wicket wasn’t giving much from bowlers, and went to slower ones, analysing the conditions on the spot was pleasing to the eye. The communication was brilliant.”

Sunil Narine continues to shine

KKR began the match with a strong start, with the opening pair of Philip Salt, scoring 30 runs off 20 balls, and Sunil Narine, contributing 47 runs off 22 balls, forging an impressive partnership of 86 runs in just 6.3 overs. Notably, Sunil Narine, in his landmark 500th T20 game, was honored with the Player of the Match award for his outstanding all-round display.

See Also: Kolkata Knight Riders beat Royal Challengers Bengaluru by 7 wickets; Points Table updated

Shreyas added for him, “See when Narine comes in to open, he knows he has one job which is to clear the infield. Today we were contemplating whether to start with him or not but he did a brilliant job.” 

Following their victory, Kolkata climbed to the second position in the IPL 2024 points table, while Bengaluru stayed put in sixth place. This win helped Kolkata improve their standing in the tournament, while Bengaluru maintained their position in the rankings.

The 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) commenced on March 22, marking the beginning of yet another thrilling season of cricketing extravaganza. With 10 matches already completed by March 28, the tournament has been a roller-coaster ride for fans and players alike.

The Orange Cap

The Orange Cap is a prestigious accolade awarded to the highest run-scorer in the IPL season. It symbolizes batting prowess and consistency, making it a coveted title among batsmen.

See Also: WATCH: Virat Kohli hugs Gautam Gambhir during RCB vs KKR clash

In IPL 2024, Virat Kohli from RCB has once again claimed the Orange Cap. His stellar performance in a recent face-off against KKR saw him scoring 83 runs, bringing his total tally to an impressive 181 runs. Kohli’s masterful batting display has solidified his position at the top of the run-scoring charts.

Following Kohli closely is Heinrich Klaasen from SRH, currently in second position with an overall score of 143 runs. Riyan Parag from RR holds the third position with a commendable run tally of 127 runs. Sanju Samson from RR stands fourth with 97 runs, followed by Abhishek Sharma of SRH at the fifth position with 95 runs.

Most Runs in IPL 2024

Purple Cap Holder

As of the latest update following the Chennai Super Kings vs Gujarat Titans match in IPL 2024, Mustafizur Rahman from CSK holds the Purple Cap. Rahman’s exceptional performance has seen him claim 6 wickets in just 2 matches, establishing himself as a formidable force in the bowling department.

Harshit Rana of KKR stands second in the race for the Purple Cap, displaying remarkable consistency with 5 wickets, including a notable performance against RCB. Andre Russell follows closely in third position after the RCB vs KKR match. Harpreet Brar from PBKS closely trails Rahman in fourth position with 3 wickets, while Jasprit Bumrah from MI holds the fifth position.

Most Wickets in IPL 2024

The 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) match between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) witnessed a thrilling encounter, with KKR emerging victorious by 7 wickets at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru.

KKR’s Victory Over RCB

KKR’s win not only secured them two crucial points but also broke the streak of home teams winning their matches in the tournament. The victory marked a significant milestone for KKR in IPL 2024. This is the first time a home team have lost a game in IPL 2024.

See Also: Netizens troll Virat Kohli despite his 83-run knock, here’s why

Key Moments in the Match

The Match saw several key moments, including Phil Salt’s aggressive start to the KKR innings and Sunil Narine’s impactful batting display. Narine’s aggressive batting, coupled with contributions from other KKR players, set the stage for their successful run chase.

RCB’s Innings Highlights

In the first innings, Virat Kohli’s unbeaten 83 and Cameron Green’s quick-fire 33 propelled RCB to post a competitive total of 182/6. Despite losing wickets at regular intervals, Kohli’s masterful stroke play anchored the innings, supported by contributions from other RCB players.

RCB’s captain, Faf du Plessis, suffered an early dismissal, but the team got off to a strong start, primarily due to Kohli’s performance. Kohli, along with Cameron Green, ensured that RCB scored 61 runs in the powerplay. Kohli continued his excellent form by cruising past a half-century for the second consecutive time this season. The partnership between Kohli and Green ended on 65 off 42 balls when Green fell to Andre Russell after scoring 31 off 21. Subsequently, Glenn Maxwell, Kohli’s Australia teammate, found his form after two poor outings in RCB’s previous two games. However, Maxwell’s luck ran out in the 15th over after he had scored 28 runs off 19 balls.

Harshit Rana and Andre Russell then took charge as KKR managed to restrict RCB in the death overs. They hit 16 runs off the last over from Starc, and Kohli remained unbeaten on 83 off 59 balls. Dinesh Karthik contributed with a quickfire 20 runs off eight balls but was run out off the last ball, bringing an end to RCB’s innings with a score of 182/6.

KKR’s Chase

In response, KKR’s chase was bolstered by a crucial partnership between Venkatesh Iyer and Shreyas Iyer. Despite early setbacks, KKR’s batsmen showcased resilience and determination, successfully chasing down the target set by RCB.

KKR started off on a rousing note as the opening duo of Philip Salt (30 off 20 balls) and Sunil Narine (47 off 22 balls) added 86 runs in just 6.3 overs. Later, Venkatesh Iyer (50 off 30 balls) and skipper Shreyas Iyer (39 off 24 balls) helped KKR to complete the task with 19 balls remaining for the side’s second win in three games.

IPL Points Table 2024

The IPL match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) witnessed an impressive display of batting prowess, particularly from RCB’s Virat Kohli and KKR’s Sunil Narine.

Sunil Narine’s Explosive Batting

Narine showcased his exceptional batting skills against RCB, demonstrating his ability to score quickly and aggressively. His performance played a vital role in KKR’s successful run chase and secured them a crucial victory. Narine bludgeoned past the RCB bowlers to provide KKR a superb start. Narine scored 47 runs off just 22 balls, hitting 2 fours and 5 sixes in the process.

See Also: WATCH: Virat Kohli hugs Gautam Gambhir during RCB vs KKR clash

KKR’s dominance in the powerplay, particularly the partnership between Phil Salt and Sunil Narine, set the tone for their innings. The aggressive batting from KKR’s openers put RCB under pressure early on and significantly impacted the course of the match. Together they scored 83 runs in powerplay, which provides strong start for KKR.

Virat Kohli’s Batting Masterclass

Virat Kohli was at his best for Royal Challengers Bengaluru against Kolkata Knight Riders in an IPL 2024 match on Friday. Continuing his good show in the IPL 2024, Kohli yet again scored a half-century. Kohli brought his fifty in 36 balls whereas other batters, except Green, generally struggled for momentum and timing. But at the other end, Green wasn’t really bothered about such technical angles, as his batting was all about brute power.

Kohli orchestrated a crucial partnership, accumulating 83 runs off 42 balls for the second wicket. His innings were characterized by a diverse range of shots, including drives, lofts, sweeps, and slog-sweeps, showcasing his adaptability and skill. Kohli scored 83 runs on 59 balls. And credit also goes to KKR bowlers like Ankul Roy, who bowled 2 overs and conceded only 6 runs. However, Russell conceded only 29 runs in his quota of 4 overs and bagged one wicket. 

KKR openers Phil Salt and Sunil Narine together scored 83 runs in the powerplay. After which, people started trolling Virat Kohli as “chokli” because he scored 83 runs off 59 balls and KKR’s opener scored 83 runs in just 36 balls.

Comparison with Virat Kohli’s Innings

While Narine’s batting was explosive, it is essential to compare it with Virat Kohli’s innings for RCB. Despite Kohli’s skilful fifty, Narine’s aggressive approach provided KKR with the momentum they needed to chase down the target.

Narine’s innings of 47 runs off just 22 balls showcased his ability to score quickly and decisively. His aggressive batting style, coupled with his ability to find boundaries consistently, made him a formidable opponent for the RCB bowlers.

Both RCB and KKR entered the match on the back of crucial victories in the tournament. RCB secured their first win against Punjab Kings, while KKR emerged victorious in a thrilling encounter against Sunrisers Hyderabad. With momentum on their side, both teams were determined to maintain their winning streak and produce a compelling performance on the field.

Kohli’s Explosive Start Against KKR

Virat Kohli, often regarded as one of the greatest cricketers of the modern era, has once again showcased his brilliance in the IPL 2024 season.

See Also: WATCH: Virat Kohli hugs Gautam Gambhir during RCB vs KKR clash

In a highly anticipated encounter against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Kohli made a stunning impact right from the outset. He wasted no time in asserting his dominance by hitting boundaries and unleashing a vintage bottom-hand flick for a six off Mitchell Starc’s bowling. Kohli’s aggressive approach set the tone for RCB’s innings and put the opposition under pressure.

Kohli’s Consistency

Throughout the match, Kohli exhibited remarkable consistency and composure at the crease. Despite the fall of wickets at regular intervals, Kohli remained unfazed and crafted a well-constructed half-century. RCB captain Faf du Plessis fell early but the hosts managed to get off to a strong start largely thanks to Kohli. He, alongwith Cameron Green, ensured that RCB scored 61 runs in the powerplay. Kohli then cruised past a half-century for the second consecutive time this season. The partnership between the two ended on 65 off 42 balls when Green fell to Andre Russell on 31 off 21.

Virat Kohli shows exceptional class and stays unbeaten on 83 off 59 as RCB put up a target of 183 for KKR to chase at the Chinnaswamy Stadium. 

Shreyas Iyer Opts to Bowl First

KKR captain Shreyas Iyer’s decision to bowl first after winning the toss proved to be crucial in determining the course of the match. The early dismissal of Faf du Plessis by Harshit Rana provided KKR with a vital breakthrough, but RCB remained focused on achieving a formidable total on a batting-friendly pitch.

Kohli’s Milestone: Fourth on the List of Six-Hitters in IPL

In a remarkable milestone, Kohli climbed to the fourth position on the list of batters with the most sixes in IPL history. Surpassing the legendary MS Dhoni’s tally of sixes, Kohli’s achievement symbolizes his relentless pursuit of excellence and his ability to evolve as a batsman. With 237 sixes to his name, Kohli’s feat highlights his remarkable journey in the IPL and his enduring impact on the game.

Most sixes in IPL

In a heartwarming moment that captured the essence of sportsmanship and camaraderie, Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir shared a hug and a friendly conversation during the intense clash between the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the IPL 2024.

The Heartwarming Scene at RCB vs KKR Match

During the strategic time-out of the first innings, a delightful scene unfolded at the Chinnaswamy Stadium as Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir, two stalwarts of Indian cricket, exchanged smiles, hugs, and words of encouragement. This unexpected interaction between the former rivals sparked a wave of positivity and goodwill among fans and players alike.

See Also: Sunil Narine achieves another sensational Feat against RCB

Virat Kohli’s Dominance in IPL 2024

Virat Kohli, often hailed as one of the greatest modern-day cricketers, showcased his exceptional form and prowess during the IPL 2024 season. Renowned for his consistency and ability to dominate across formats, Kohli’s performance in the IPL has been nothing short of spectacular. In the high-octane clash against KKR, Kohli demonstrated his batting mastery by starting with a bang, hitting boundaries and unleashing vintage shots that left the opposition in awe.

RCB’s Strong Total

RCB made a strong start in the match against KKR. Opting to bowl first after winning the toss, KKR managed to get an early breakthrough by dismissing Faf du Plessis in just the second over. However, RCB’s strong batting lineup, led by Kohli himself, ensured that the team remained on track to post a formidable total on the scoreboard. RCB scored 182/6 in 20 Overs all thanks to Virat Kohli’s 83 runs off 59 balls.

Everyone focus on duo of Kohli and Gambhir as both had an ugly spat last year after LSG vs RCB clash. However, now it looks like both legends of Indian cricket have nothing but respect for each other.

In a historic moment for cricket enthusiasts worldwide, Sunil Narine etches his name in the annals of the sport’s history as he prepares to make his 500th T20 appearance. Narine achieved this milestone while representing the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

Narine’s 500th T20 Appearance

On March 29th, cricket fans witnessed a momentous occasion as Sunil Narine took to the field for his 500th T20 match. Facing off against RCB, Narine’s remarkable journey in the format reaches a significant milestone at one of cricket’s most iconic venues.

See Also: Babar Azam set to return as captain in T20I, check reports

Narine’s T20 Career Journey

Sunil Narine’s T20 odyssey commenced in January 2011, marking the beginning of a storied career characterized by exceptional talent and skill. Renowned for his impeccable right-arm off-break bowling and aggressive batting against left-handers. Narine quickly established himself as a force to be reckoned with in the T20 arena. With 536 wickets in 499 matches and an impressive economy rate of 6.10 runs per over. His prowess with both bat and ball has set him apart as one of the finest T20 players in the world.

Impact and Legacy

Narine’s 500th T20 appearance not only underscores his achievements but also highlights his enduring impact on the sport. As the first spinner in cricket history to reach this remarkable milestone. Narine joins an elite club, following in the footsteps of players like Dwayne Bravo and Shoaib Malik. His career has been adorned with numerous accolades, including the record for the most maiden overs bowled in men’s T20s.

Sunil Narine becomes the fourth cricketer to play 500 T20 matches after Kieron Pollard (660), Dwayne Bravo (573) and Shoaib Malik (542).

Narine’s Dominance Across Leagues

From the Indian Premier League (IPL) to the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), Caribbean Premier League (CPL), Pakistan Super League (PSL), and Big Bash League (BBL). Narine’s performances have left an indelible mark, earning him admiration and respect from fans and peers alike.