IPL 2023: Kolkata Knight Riders vs Rajasthan Royals, Match 56 - Talking Points and Who Said What?

The 56th game of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 featured a clash between the two-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders and the Sanju Samson-led Rajasthan Royals at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Thursday, May 11.

Through a resilient half-century by Venkatesh Iyer, Kolkata Knight Riders posted 149 runs on the board in the first innings. Yuzvendra Chahal was sensational for the visitors in the first innings, taking four wickets. During the run chase, Yashasvi Jaiswal’s monstrous knock and Sanju Samson’s performance led their side to a brilliant win by nine wickets.

Here are the Talking Points from the KKR vs RR clash-

Yuzvendra Chahal became highest wicket-taker in IPL history

Yuzvendra Chahal was phenomenal for Rajasthan Royals as the 32-year-old took four wickets and conceded 25 runs in four overs, which saw him become the highest wicket-taker in the history of the tournament with 187 wickets to his name in 143 matches.

Yashasvi Jaiswal’s class

Coming in to chase the target of 150 runs, Indian youngster Yashasvi Jaiswal showed his intent from the very first ball. The 21-year-old scored the fastest half-century in the history of the IPL and finished the game with 98* runs in 47 deliveries. His knock propelled Rajasthan Royals to a dominant win against Kolkata Knight Riders.

Sanju Samson’s excellence 

Rajasthan Royals skipper Sanju Samson was fabulous with the bat and played an excellent knock alongside Jaiswal. Samson amassed 48* runs in 29 deliveries and played a big hand in winning the game for the inaugural champions as well.

Losing skipper Nitish Rana said:

You have to praise his innings (on Jaiswal), it was a day when he could do anything he wanted. It was a 180 wicket as I said at the toss, our batting wasn't great and that's the result of us dropping 2 points. He was batting well right through the tournament, so I thought a part-time spinner could perhaps make him complacent, that was the plan, but he played superbly and those things do happen.

Winning skipper Sanju Samson said:

I didn't have to do anything today. Just put bat on ball and watch him play. We are used to it now, even the bowlers know how he goes in the powerplay. He enjoys batting in the powerplay. I think it is time to give him the tag of legend. We are grateful to have him in the franchise. Never have to speak to him, give him the bowl and he knows what to do. He bowls at the death as well, very pleasing for me as a captain. We have two more quarter finals to play, the pressure in never off in the IPL. Each game, each over is important. You can sense how the atmosphere is when a legend like Jos Buttler throws his wicket away for Jaiswal. Very happy today but we have a few more matches to go.

Player of the Match Yashasvi Jaiswal said:

This is always in my mind, to go out there and play well. It was a nice feeling today. It is not like everything I wanted happens, I prepare well and I trust in myself. I know the results will come. The winning shot was a great feeling, I wanted to finish the game and winning the game has been my motto. I'm blessed and grateful, I'm trying my best. (On whether he feels he missed out on a century) I think the net run rate was the only thing in our mind, me and Sanju were only talking about finishing the game quickly. (On the Buttler run out) I think it happens in the game, it gives me responsibility to do even better. And Sanju bhai came and said to keep playing my game, and not think about that run out. I'm just grateful for a tournament like the IPL where youngsters like me can come and perform. This has been a great platform for players like me to fulfill my dreams.