Kolkata: Varun Chakravarthy typically delivers a solid, if not exceptionally economical, Powerplay over at Eden Gardens, succeeding nine times out of ten. However, the tenth instance was marked by Phil Salt's performance on Saturday. After Virat Kohli nudged a single to long-on, Salt skillfully flicked a delivery between backward square leg and short fine leg for two runs, signaling the Royal Challengers Bengaluru openers' intent. The next shot was almost extraordinary, as Salt expertly used his wrists to send Chakravarthy's delivery soaring over long-off for four runs. Following that, he hit a straight six and a four through mid-on, before striking another boundary square, making Kolkata Knight Riders’ total of 174 seem insufficient.

Chakravarthy conceded 21 runs in that over. When Kohli smashed two consecutive sixes off Spencer Johnson in the following over, it raised questions about whether the chase would conclude with several overs remaining. The pace suggested as much: fifty runs in 22 balls and a hundred in 59 balls—milestones that are crucial in a relatively straightforward chase. While KKR found themselves in a similar situation, they lacked Kohli, a fact that the RCB bench likely reminded themselves of throughout the innings.

RCB ultimately secured victory by seven wickets, reaching 177 in response to KKR’s 174/8, with 22 balls to spare. Kohli remained not out at 59, leaving the defending champions KKR with much to contemplate.

Kohli was in exceptional form, consistently nudging singles, exploiting gaps, and astonishing KKR with a range of shots from slog sweeps to perfectly executed straight sixes. He reached fifty in just 30 balls and continued in a manner that could have potentially led to a score of 200 with a few balls left. With Salt and captain Rajat Patidar (34 off 16 balls) providing solid support, Kohli did not need to seek reliable partners at the other end. Devdutt Padikkal was the only wicket KKR managed to claim cheaply in an otherwise strong performance.

It is still early in the season, but KKR's middle-order collapse against Krunal Pandya's left-arm spin (3/29) is a significant concern. After scoring a hundred runs in just 57 balls, they managed only 74 runs in the subsequent 63 deliveries, indicating a squandered opportunity following a strong start. RCB's resurgence was also remarkable; transitioning from 9/1 in three overs to 107/2 in ten overs suggests a series of missteps from the bowling side, despite a powerful fifty from captain Ajinkya Rahane. Quinton de Kock was given a second chance when Suyash Sharma dropped a straightforward catch, but Josh Hazlewood's swing proved too much for the South African, resulting in an inside edge. Sunil Narine's three consecutive misses were followed by a sharp delivery from Hazlewood that caught him off guard with its pace and bounce, placing RCB firmly in control of the match.

However, RCB made a tactical error by alternating between spin and pace. Rasikh Salam, in his first over, strayed down the leg side, allowing Rahane to easily score a boundary at fine leg. The next delivery was short and slow, which Rahane dispatched over deep square for six. A dot ball was inconsequential as Salam followed it with a wide, giving Rahane another six and revitalizing the run rate. This sequence set a troubling precedent as RCB continued to concede runs.

Krunal Pandya allowed 15 runs, and Yash Dayal gave away 20 before Suyash—who had played for KKR last season—was brought into the attack. He started well, conceding just five runs in his first over, which should have led to a disciplined performance. However, in his next over, Suyash either over-pitched or under-pitched, resulting in two sixes and a four in a costly 22-run over that KKR needed to elevate their scoring. Eventually, Salam achieved a breakthrough by dismissing Narine, who was caught behind. By this point, KKR had reached 100 runs in 9.3 overs, but the next 50 runs came off 36 balls—quick, yet not as fast as KKR might have desired.

Pandya’s pace and stump-to-stump line were the key to dislodging the KKR middle-order. Averaging well above 90 kph, Pandya first accounted for Rahane, who tried to pull him over backward square leg but couldn’t get enough bat under the delivery. Next over, he got Venkatesh Iyer, who tried to flick through midwicket but ended up inside edging onto his stumps. Rinku Singh’s wicket—getting beaten by a quicker one that skidded through his defence—added to the drama but the demolition was well and truly complete when Suyash bowled Andre Russell with a googly.

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