Who would have thought that the batting lineup of Royal Challengers Bangalore, compromising the likes of Chris Gayle, Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers and Kedar Jadhav would be bowled out for a score less than 50 runs. Well, the unthinkable proposition has become a stark reality during the recently concluded match between Kolkata Knight Riders and the Bangalore-based outfit at the Eden Gardens.
Chasing 131 against Kolkata Knight Riders, the runners-up of last year fell like a pack of cards and even failed to cross the 50-run mark let alone chasing down the total. With the pitch providing ample bounce, the Kolkata Knight Riders pacer ran riot and bowled out the star-studded batting lineup for a paltry 49 in 9.4 overs. The score, meanwhile, is now the lowest total in the history of the Indian Premier League.
Now what makes Kolkata Knight Riders’ stunning performance even more remarkable is the fact that they were defending only 131. Led by their pace spearheads Nathan Coulter-Nile and Umesh Yadav, the home time came out all guns blazing and never gave the opposition a breathing space. This was Kolkata’s fifth win in seven matches, elevating them to the second spot in the table and they are now well-placed to make it to the playoffs.
On the other hand, Royal Challengers Bangalore are once again in danger of falling short of expectations in another season after suffering their fifth loss in seven matches. The perennial favourites of this tournament have always boasted of some of the best names in their team but have never managed to lift the title. And former England skipper Michael Vaughan’s message perfectly sums up the reason behind it.
After Virat Kohli’s men spectacular capitulation at the Eden Gardens, Vaughan tweeted:“Proof again in Sport that a group of Superstars don’t guarantee success … @RCBTweets are the role model for that statement … #IPL2017”
Proof again in Sport that a group of Superstars don't guarantee success … @RCBTweets are the role model for that statement … #IPL2017
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) April 23, 2017