Match Center

Right then, that is all we have from this game. On Friday, the 7th of April, we have Lucknow taking on Hyderabad. That game will start at 7.30 pm IST (2 pm GMT). Do join us in advance for the build-up of that game. Cheers!

Shardul Thakur is the Player of the Match! He jokingly says that even he doesn't know from where this knock came. Mentions that he only tried to think from a bowler's perspective and it worked out well for him. Shares that he has worked hard in the nets, and tries to work on his shots. Adds a period comes in the training when the coaches let us have a go. States that they spoke about getting depth across all departments. Credits Suyash Sharma for his impressive debut, and says that Varun Chakaravarthy and Sunil Narine are great spinners, it just looks like they take wickets for fun.

Nitish Rana, the skipper of Kolkata says that there were a lot of positives in the last game and adds that the same happened today with Gurbaz batting well at the top. Mentions that Shardul Thakur’s knock was unbelievable and he does not have words for it. Credits Rinku Singh for the way he held one end up and that was the plan that Thakur would go from one end and Rinku Singh would bat normally from the other end. States that the way Umesh Yadav bowled at the start was important and then spinners did their job and with Suyash Sharma bowling so well, in the end, was just what he wanted. Shares that Suyash Sharma is a funny lad and backs himself a lot and says that they had the plan to use him as the third spinner whenever the conditions allow.

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Chandrakant Pandit, the head coach of Kolkata says that it is a good win and says that the boys showed a lot of character after losing early wickets. Tells that they expected the pitch to help the spinners but they needed the runs on the board and he credits Shardul Thakur and Rinku Singh for their batting and then adds that the spinners bowled brilliantly. Mentions that Suyash Sharma came in their trials and it is tough not to pick him with the ability to turn both ways. Feels that his fighting spirit is what he has observed.

Faf du Plessis, the skipper of Bangalore starts by saying that the way they leaked runs in the death cost them the game. Praises Shardul Thakur for his knock and says that he was hitting from both ends which made it difficult for the bowlers. Informs that they themselves were a bit average with the blade. Credit the opposition spinners for the way they squeezed things. States that death bowling is never an easy job to do but they will surely work on it and hopes to come back stronger.

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Bangalore, on the other hand, were pretty poor in their death bowling and that put a lot of pressure on their batters as they needed to chase down over 200 here. Willey and Karn Sharma had done some good work at the start but they messed it up after that just like their batting group messed it up after they got off to a brisk start with Kohli and Faf du Plessis batting well at the start. None of the batters could show application against some quality spin bowling and they ended up falling well short here.

Kolkata though were in a spot of bother at the start of this game with 89-5 in the 12th over. Gurbaz was the only one who looked settled in the middle till then but then came a fantastic partnership of 103 runs between Shardul Thakur and Rinku Singh. Thakur just changed the momentum of the game with a sensational knock and with over 200 on the board, Kolkata had the momentum on their side. Their pacers went for plenty in the first four overs but the introduction of spin changed things around dramatically again. From 44-0, Bangalore crumbled to 61-5 and just could not get back from there. Narine and Varun Chakaravarthy displayed their mystery first up and then young Suyash Sharma decided to show his magic as the three spinners picked 9 wickets between themselves with Varun Chakaravarthy picking four wickets. Rana was brilliant with his captaincy as well and overall a great effort from the home team.

Kolkata have made a rollicking comeback in the Indian T20 League 2023 and this would give them a lot of confidence. Bangalore have been absolutely outclassed and this is the beauty of this competition, all teams are equally good and you can never take anything for granted.

OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! Varun Chakaravarthy picks up his fourth wicket and seals the victory for Kolkata. It is tossed up, full and on off. Akash Deep tries to heave it across the line but it flies high in the air off the top edge. Varun Chakaravarthy gives it a chase and takes a sharp catch diving forward near mid on. KOLKATA WIN THE MATCH BY 81 RUNS.

Full and on off, in line with the stumps. Deep blocks it back to the bowler.

Darted on the pads, David Willey flicks it into mid-wicket for a single.

Flatter, outside off. Deep slaps it hard past the bowler for a single.

An incredible spell of 4 overs comes to an end from the debutant. Suyash Sharma serves it full, on middle and leg. Willey tucks it to mid-wicket.

Flighted full toss, on off. Deep smacks it down to long off for just a single this time.

SIX! BANG! It is full and on off. Deep dances down the track and smokes it over the long on fence for a maximum.