Kolkata Knight Riders, Royal Challengers Bangalore achieve contrasting centuries in Twenty20s

There is only one week remaining for the league stages to end in IPL 2019. Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals have become the first two teams to enter the playoffs while there is a big tussle between five teams for the third and fourth position. In the double-header on Sunday, Delhi Capitals sealed their place in the playoffs for the first time after seven years while Kolkata Knight Riders finally snapped their six-match losing streak in IPL 2019 with a big win over Mumbai Indians. Delhi Capitals were boosted by fifties from Shikhar Dhawan and Shreyas Iyer and Virat Kohli’s side still fell short by 16 runs. At the Eden Gardens, Andre Russell’s 80* off 40 balls was just enough for Kolkata Knight Riders to survive a blitz from Hardik Pandya, who blasted 91 off 34 balls as Dinesh Karthik’s side stayed alive in the playoff race.

Kolkata Knight Riders’ win and Royal Challengers Bangalore’s loss gave them mixed fortunes. These two teams squared off in the first encounter in the IPL on April 18, 2008, at the M Chinnaswamy stadium. Brendon McCullum blasted 158 and Kolkata Knight Riders inflicted a heavy defeat on Royal Challengers Bangalore. 10 years and 10 days later, these two teams have completed contrasting journeys.

RELATED

Kolkata Knight Riders have joined Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings as the other Indian franchises to win 100 Twenty20 games while Royal Challengers Bangalore have become the first Indian franchise to lose 100 Twenty20 games. Mumbai Indians are the only Indian side to win 100 games in the Indian Premier League while Chennai Super Kings are a close second with 98 wins. These Twenty20 wins include victories in the now-defunct Champions League Twenty20.

In the IPL, Kolkata Knight Riders have won 92 games while Royal Challengers Bangalore have lost 92 games, the second-most behind Delhi Capitals who have lost 95 games in the IPL. With the loss at the Feroz Shah Kotla, Virat Kohli’s side is all but out of the race for the playoffs while Kolkata Knight Riders are in the sixth position and with a chance of entering the knockouts.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Kolkata Knight Riders snapped their six-match losing streak in IPL 2019.
• Kolkata Knight Riders defeated Mumbai Indians for the first time in four years.
• Royal Challengers Bangalore are all but out of the race for the playoffs.