RCB’s 5 Biggest Defeats By Runs In The IPL

On Thursday, April 6, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) defeated Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) by 81 runs in the ninth match of the IPL 2023 at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

Bangalore got off to a good start, reducing the hosts to 89/5 in the 12th over. During a top-order collapse, Afghan hitter Rahmanullah Gurbaz scored 57 runs off 44 balls. Shardul Thakur’s (68 off 29 balls) and Rinku Singh’s (46 off 33 balls) masterclasses ensured that KKR rebounded superbly and put 204-7 on the board.

The RCB responded well at first, but the wickets of Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis in consecutive overs wrecked the pursuit. The KKR spinners hauled up nine wickets. Suyash Sharma, a newcomer and impact player, took three wickets, while Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy took two and four wickets, respectively.

The visitors needed a 27-run partnership for the 10th wicket to avert a defeat by more than 100 runs after RCB were bowled out for 123 in 174 overs.

On that topic, let’s take a look back at RCB’s biggest IPL defeats in terms of runs throughout the years.

#1 RCB v KKR – 140 runs, 18th April 2008

Many people remember the inaugural IPL match for Brendon McCullum’s memorable knock (158* off 73 balls). He was the only KKR batsman who could get going that day at Chinnaswamy Stadium, and he contributed to the Knight Riders’ 222-3 victory.

The aim, however, proved too difficult for the hosts, who were bowled out for 82 runs, losing the match by 140 runs. That remains KKR’s greatest IPL triumph to date.

Ajit Agarkar claimed three wickets and allowed 25 runs in his four overs to boost the KKR cause.

#2 RCB v SRH – 118 runs, 31st March 2019

Throughout the years, there have been numerous close confrontations between RCB and SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH). This was, nevertheless, one of the most one-sided games in this rivalry.

As SRH batted first, the destructive opening pair of David Warner (100* off 56 balls) and Jonny Bairstow (114 runs off 56 balls) pieced together a 185-run partnership in 16.2 overs to register 231-2.

In response, Bangalore were reeling at 35/6 after failing to gain any support from the top order. Contributions from Colin de Grandhomme, Prayas Ray Barman, and Umesh Yadav, though, ensured that they passed the 100-run barrier before being bowled out for 113 runs in 19.5 overs.

The SRH triumphed by 118 runs, their largest margin of victory in terms of runs. Sandeep Sharma (3/19) and Mohammad Nabi (4/11) were the pick of the Hyderabad bowlers.

#3 RCB v KXIP – 111 runs, 17th May 2011

In 2011, Kings XI Punjab (now known as Punjab Kings) won the toss and chose to bat first in Dharamsala. While Punjab reached 232-2, Australian superstars Adam Gilchrist (106 off 55 balls) and Shaun Marsh (79* off 49 balls) contributed 206 runs for the second wicket.

Bangalore’s marquee hitters Chris Gayle and Virat Kohli were out in the first four overs as the chase was stalled. RCB’s sole major contributor was AB de Villiers (34) as they were bowled out for 121 in 17 overs, losing by 11 runs.

Piyush Chawla (4/17) and Ryan Harris (3/28) were Punjab’s most effective bowlers.

#4 RCB v PBKS – 97 runs, 24th September 2020

Another game in which Bangalore appeared to be in command for the bulk of the first innings.

With the dismissals of Nicolas Pooran and Glenn Maxwell, Punjab were 128/3 in 15.2 overs. KL Rahul, on the other hand, took advantage of some bad death bowling by scoring a stunning 132* from 69 balls to enable the Punjab Kings end at 206-3.

In 2.4 overs, RCB were reduced to 4/3. After that, a 49-run partnership between Aaron Finch and AB de Villiers gave Bangalore some hope. Unfortunately, it proved insufficient as both foreign hitters were dismissed in consecutive overs.

Washington Sundar’s 30 ensured that RCB reached 100 runs before being all-out for 109 runs in 17 innings, losing the game by 97 runs in the process.

With the ball, Punjab put forth a good team effort, but the spin combo of Ravi Bishnoi and Murugan Ashwin shone out, taking six wickets between them.

#5 RCB v CSK – 92 runs, 20th April 2009

In 2009, CSK won the toss and chose to bat first against the Kevin Pietersen-led team. Matthew Hayden scored 65 runs off 35 balls to help Chennai post 179-5 in the first innings at Gqeberha.

Praveen Kumar was sent out as a pinch hitter to start the batting – an experiment that did not work out for RCB. RCB appeared to be in the game just during the second-wicket stand between Robin Uthappa and Jacques Kallis.

Bangalore went from 40-1 in 5.1 overs to 87 all-out in 15.2 overs, losing by 92 runs. CSK’s finest bowler was the legendary Muttiah Muralitharan, who returned figures of 3-11 from four overs.

Also Read: IPL 2023: RCB name Wayne Parnell, Vyshak Vijay Kumar as replacements for Reece Topley, Rajat Patidar (cricfiles.com)