Chris Lynn stroked a fine 62* to help KKR to a 6-wicket win. How costly did that dropped catch by M Ashwin proved for RCB! RCB's woes continue as the bowlers yet again struggled to defend a decent target. The match may have gone down to the last over but they seemed ahead in the game. The challenge has only become a lot more stiff for RCB. As Kohli said after the game, "there is no room for lapses anymore". He would be well aware that the challenge for RCB to improve lies in all the three departments. The balance is yet to be found and the stratergy too looks shaky. For KKR, the win was a much-needed boost to their confidence. They would be well aware that they didn't play their best cricket today, but would be more than happy to carry two points from the game.
Live cricket score - RCB vs KKR, Match 29, IPL 2018
Duck on birthday in IPL:
Misbah-ul-Haq v MI, Bengaluru, 28 May 2008
Chris Morris v KKR, Delhi, 30 Apr 2016
Andre Russell v RCB, Bengaluru, 29 Apr 2018
... One ball later, Andre Russell leaves too
Update from Prakash Govindasreenivasan, our boy at the ground,"NitishRana seems to be struggling with cramps. He had the doctor attend to him during the strategic timeout too. Hard to say what the problem is. He was holding his back when he got off the field... he's going off now. ..and in comes Andre Russell."
Lynn is struggling
Chris Lynn is struggling to keep up with the asking rate now. The spinners have kept him under check. He is sweeping everything and has become too predictable with the shot-making. But more importantly, with him failing to get the boundaries, the pressure is falling on Nitish Rana to hit the big shots, and in doing that, he is taking some undue risks. In the process, Lynn has brought up his half century.
What contest were we talking of?
All the excitement of an equal contest has been nipped in the bud early by Robin Uthappa and Chris Lynn's counter attack of M Ashwin. RCB's poor fielding isn't doing their case any good either. Uthappa is hitting some sublime strokes. RCB desperately need some quick wickets.
Murugan Ashwin makes a good start to his season. He starts off by dismissing Sunil Narine off the first ball and troubles Robin Uthappa with sharp turn. Some excitement in the contest now.
Match update:Play has resumed after rain break. No overs are lost.
Rain Update:The covers are off. Play is expected to start soon.
Rain halts play
With only 39 balls down in the chase, the match has been halted due to rain. KKR look comfortably placed at 55 for no loss. But not much to worry. As per the par score, KKR are 11 runs ahead. The M Chinnaswamy Stadium has the sub air system and should be ready for play to start within 10 minutes of of the rain stopping.
Another powerplay goes KKR's way
Chris Lynn has made good use of the dropped chance by Murugan Ashwin and helped KKR past the 50-run mark in the powerplay itself. Of all the bowlers, Yuzvendra Chahal has bowled well but the visitors haven't lost a wicket so far. Along with Sunil Narine, even Lynn has some boundaries to show for his efforts today.
Narine's party continues
Yet again, Sunil Narine is teasing RCB's pacers. He is playing his shots in the air, not middling as often as he would like, but managing to keep them away from the fielders. Quick runs, handy runs for KKR. Virat Kohli seems frustrated.
