NEW DELHI: In an electrifying IPL showdown, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) narrowly edged past
Royal Challengers Bengaluru
(RCB) by a mere one run, surviving a thrilling late charge by the RCB batsmen.
Opting to field first at Kolkata's
Eden Gardens
, RCB conceded 222/6, with
Phil Salt
's explosive 48 off 14 balls, which included seven fours and three sixes, and skipper Shreyas Iyer's solid 50 setting a formidable target.
With 21 needed off the final over bowled by
Mitchell Starc
, RCB's
Karn Sharma
stunned with three consecutive sixes before being caught and bowled on the penultimate delivery.
The equation came down to 3 off 1 ball and 2 for super over. Despite a wide throw by the fielder, wicketkeeper Salt managed to run out
Lockie Ferguson
, sealing RCB's fate at 221 all out.
In a crucial moment of the match, Starc delivered a full-length ball just outside off stump from round the wicket. Ferguson managed to carve it towards deep extra cover, aiming for a double. However, the fielder's throw wasn't accurate, veering wide of Salt, the wicketkeeper.
Seizing the opportunity, Ferguson attempted a quick second run, but Salt exhibited remarkable agility. He swiftly gathered the ball and leapt towards the stumps, removing the bails before Ferguson could safely return to his crease.
Earlier, RCB's chase faced an early setback when Virat Kohli, who contributed a brisk 18 off seven balls, fell caught and bowled by Harshit Rana. Kohli's dismissal sparked controversy as he vehemently protested that the high full-toss exceeded waist height, engaging in a heated exchange with on-field officials.
However, the TV umpire upheld the decision after technology indicated the trajectory of the ball dipped below the batsman's waist, leaving Kohli visibly furious as he departed the field.
"It was crazy. Rules are rules, Virat and myself in that space thought the ball was higher than his waist," skipper Faf du Plessis, who was with Kohli at the other end when the drama unfolded, said after the match.
"You always find one team happy and the other not so with such decisions."
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