IPL 2018, KKR vs RR: 4 reasons why Rajasthan lost against Kolkata

Kolkata Knight Riders hosted the Rajasthan Royals at the iconic Eden Gardens in a crunch game for both teams. Karthik won the toss and elected to field first. Tripathi and Buttler opened the batting for the Royals and gave the visitors a rollicking start as they raced to 50 runs inside 4 overs.

Karthik turned to Russell and the big Jamaican provided the much-needed breakthrough by getting rid of Tripathi. Rajasthan reached 68 for 1 at the end of the powerplay overs. Post the powerplay, Rahane fell to Kuldeep as KKR sensed a comeback.

Kuldeep got another one in the following over by getting the ever-so-consistent Buttler as KKR made a strong comeback. Wickets continued to tumble as the game changed drastically.

Rajasthan slipped from 63 for 0 to 107 for 7 and was in danger of being bowled out. Unadkat hit a few lusty blows towards the fag end but Kolkata kept their cool and knocked Rajasthan over for 142 in 19 overs.

Chasing 143, Narine gave the hosts the perfect start and plundered 21 runs off the very first over but fell in the following over. Uthappa walked in at number 3 and soon was sent packing to give the Royals some hope.

Rana and Lynn tried to build a partnership but against the run of play, Sodhi produced a good ball and dismissed Rana. Lynn and Karthik came together and stitched a fine partnership. Lynn tried to finish things off quickly but fell to a loose shot.

Karthik and Russell finished it off in the 18th over and ensured that there were no more hiccups. With this win, KKR inch closer to a playoff spot.

Let's take a look at the reasons behind Rajasthan Royals’ loss to Kolkata Knight Riders.

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#1 Horrendous middle overs collapse

Rajasthan's ever-so-consistent opener Jos Buttler along with Tripathi gave the visitors a splendid start and raced to 63 inside 5 overs. At 68 for 1 after six overs, Rajasthan looked set for a 180+ score. But what unfolded was absolutely game-changing.

Post the powerplay overs, Rajasthan seemed to have hit a panic button and soon wickets fell in a heap. The middle overs, from overs 7 to 15 yielded only 50 runs but at the loss of six wickets as KKR clawed their way back.

Those middle overs came back to haunt the Royals as the Knights chased down the below-par score with ease and went one step closer to making it to the playoffs.

#2 Kuldeep's brilliant four overs

Staring down the barrel as the Rajasthan batsmen were having a ball at the Eden, Karthik needed something special from one of his bowlers. Kuldeep Yadav got the ball in hand, and soon that something special became a reality.

He spun his web around the Royals batsmen as they found it hard to read the left arm chinaman. Seeing him bowl so well, Karthik decided to bowl the UP lad for four overs on the bounce and it worked brilliantly.

Yadav picked up four crucial wickets as the match turned on its head. Kuldeep finished with career-best IPL figures of 4 for 20 in his four overs which, in the end, was pivotal as Rajasthan slipped to a defeat after three wins on the trot.

#3 Rahane's continued failure with the bat

Rajasthan has been too reliant on Jos Buttler as the Lancashire man has been scoring almost half of the runs for them ever since opening the batting. With Stokes not coming good with the bat, it was imperative for the Royals’ skipper to be amongst the runs but unfortunately, it isn't to be.

The Mumbaikar has managed to score only 291 runs from 13 innings with just one 50+ score to his name. In a do-or-die clash, they needed their captain to step up especially after a fantastic start laid down by their openers. Rahane managed to score 11 runs off 12 balls and once he fell, Rajasthan lost wickets in a cluster as KKR sealed the deal.

#4 Archer's off day with the ball

Rajasthan banked heavily on two players coming into a massive game versus KKR. One was Jos Buttler, who did give the Royals a fast start once again. The other was Archer, who had an off day at just the wrong time.

Defending a modest 142, Rajasthan needed their strike bowler to deliver but unfortunately for them, KKR took him to the cleaners. Archer's four overs yielded 43 runs and no wickets to show as Rajasthan slipped to a six-wicket victory and in the process have made it difficult for themselves to make the cut for the final four. While Stokes did cover up for Archer by picking up three wickets but it wasn't enough.

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