KXIP gets on the points table in style. Now, after six matches we have six different winners in this year's edition.
The KXIP captain KL Rahul played humungous innings to help his team score 206 runs. KL Rahul hit seven 6's and fourteen 4's in his innings of 132 not out. Overall, Rahul punished all the seamers, however, he, in particular, took Steyn apart in the 19th over in which he scored 26 runs. Amidst beautiful strokeplay he also played a couple of rash shots, fortunately for him, he got away with it. He was dropped twice by V Kolhi.
While batting RCB lost early wickets, the KXIP's pace duo of Shami and Cottrell bowled exceptionally well. RCB were 4 for 3 by the end of the third over. AB de Villiers and W Sundar stuck around a little but neither player could play a big inning. Overall, KXIP's bowlers were clinical.
Top Performers of the Match
Batsmen:-
KL Rahul (KXIP): 132*(69)
W Sundar (RCB): 30(27)
AB de Villiers (RCB): 28(18)
Bowlers:-
R Bishnoi (KXIP): 25/2
M Ashwin (KXIP): 21/3
S Cottrell (KXIP): 17/2
Player of the Match
It was a no brainer, KL Rahul's unbeaten century easily pops out as the best performance of the day.
Captain's Corner
V Kohli:
The decision to field first after winning the toss felt strange especially after knowing that sides batting first have won 4 out of the 5 matches played in this years edition.
It looked like RCB's bowlers were completely taken apart but one observes, the spinners did a great job and it is difficult to understand why W Sundar didn't bowl his full quota of 4 overs(unless of course if he was injured).
Stats Corner
K L Rahul crossed 2000 runs in IPL becoming the 3rd fastest to do so.
K L Rahul's score of 132 is the highest by an Indian in IPL.
KXIP takes the 1st position in the IPL table because of their exceptional NRR.
RCB were completely outplayed today. All the confidence that they gained after winning the first match must be shaken after this demolition. KXIP are looking extremely strong in their bowling department but the batting is yet to click together. That's it for now I hope you liked what you read.