IPL 2021, Match 31: Clinical KKR outplay RCB, win by nine wickets - In Pics

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) registered a comfortable nine-wicket win over Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in their first match of the UAE-leg of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 on Monday 

Varun Chakravarthy and Andre Russell were the stars for KKR as they scalped three wickets each which helped restrict the batting-heavy RCB to a paltry 92 runs in the first innings.

Later, Shubman Gill and the surprise-package Venkatesh Iyer batted superbly to gun down 93 without much sweat. It was Iyer who fearlessly took the attack early on to the bowlers and Gill soon joined in showing his flair. The latter played some gorgeous strokes and smacked a quick-fire 48 before getting out with only 11 runs required.

Gill scored 48 off 34 balls before losing his wicket to experienced spinner Yuzvendra Chahal. Whereas, Iyer hit 41 off 27 balls.

After electing to bat first, Bangalore started off with captain Virat Kohli unleashing a lovely punch on the up through covers off Prasidh Krishna. But Krishna fought back on the next ball, trapping Kohli lbw with a delivery which nipped back in and hit him above the knee roll. Kohli (5) took the DRS but couldn't turn the decision in his favour.

Devdutt Padikkal (22) looked in sublime touch with well-timed boundaries. But Lockie Ferguson sent him back on the last ball of power-play, taking a thin edge behind to keeper Dinesh Karthik while playing the ramp shot.