Emperor Of Cricket

April 2, 2019 – Eden Gardens, Kolkata

The night sky above Eden Gardens was illuminated by towering floodlights, casting a golden glow over the massive stadium. The atmosphere was electric, the air thick with anticipation as over 65,000 passionate fans filled the stands, creating a sea of purple and gold for KKR, with a strong contingent of RCB fans draped in red, waving their flags.

The energy in the stadium was unmatched, the deafening chants of "KKR! KKR!" battling against the "RCB! RCB!" shouts from the visiting fans. The IPL was at its peak, and this match—KKR vs. RCB—was one of the most awaited clashes of the season.

The players from both teams stood in their huddles, finalizing their plans, while the captains Virat Kohli and Dinesh Karthik walked toward the pitch for the toss. The cameras zoomed in, capturing the intensity in their expressions.

The match referee flipped the coin, and Virat called it right.

RCB won the toss!

The crowd erupted, and the RCB dugout cheered, while Virat adjusted his cap before speaking to the broadcaster.

"We'll bat first. Eden Gardens is a fantastic wicket to bat on, and we want to put runs on the board. The outfield is quick, and we back ourselves to defend whatever total we put up."

Dinesh Karthik, though calm, nodded in understanding. "We would have batted first too, but our bowlers are ready. Let's see how it goes."

With the toss done, the two teams headed back to their camps, and the stadium announcer's voice boomed through the speakers.

"Ladies and gentlemen, get ready for another high-voltage contest! It's Kolkata Knight Riders versus Royal Challengers Bangalore!"

The crowd roared, the players took their positions, and as Virat Kohli and Advay Rai walked out to open the innings, the noise inside Eden Gardens reached a fever pitch.

The Eden Gardens crowd was in full voice, their chants shaking the massive stadium as the RCB openers, Virat Kohli and Advay Rai, walked out to the middle. The giant screens flashed their names, the fans roaring in anticipation of another batting spectacle.

As they took their positions at the crease, the KKR fielders spread out, ready for battle. Standing at the top of his mark was Lockie Ferguson, the Kiwi speedster, ball in hand, ready to unleash his 150 kmph thunderbolts. The crowd grew even louder, some chanting "KKR! KKR!", while others countered with "RCB! RCB!"

Harsha Bhogle's voice carried through the commentary box. "We are set for a blockbuster! RCB has been unstoppable so far, and now, at one of the most iconic stadiums in the world, they'll look to continue their dominance. But KKR is strong at home, and with their bowling attack, they'll be aiming to strike early."

The umpire signaled for play to begin.

Ferguson charged in, steamrolling toward the crease, his first delivery pitched short, angling into Advay at 148 kmph.

Advay was ready.

He rocked back, adjusted for the bounce, and pulled it fiercely through midwicket. The ball raced away to the fence before the fielder could even move.

First ball. Four runs.

The RCB dugout stood up in applause, while the traveling RCB fans in the stands erupted in cheers.

Matthew Hayden chuckled. "Oh, he's wasting no time! That's a serious shot to start your innings against someone bowling at 150 clicks."

Ferguson, unfazed, turned at his mark and sprinted in again. This time, he pitched it full, hoping to catch Advay driving too early.

But Advay leaned forward, his front foot planted, and with a smooth bat swing, he drove it straight back past the bowler! The ball crashed into the boundary cushions in no time.

Back-to-back fours!

Harsha Bhogle, almost laughing, exclaimed, "Would you believe it?! Two deliveries, two boundaries! This young man is treating an express pacer like he's bowling medium pace!"

Virat, standing at the non-striker's end, smirked and tapped his bat on the ground. He had seen this before.

Ferguson adjusted, pulling his length back, and delivered a sharp 150 kmph bouncer. This time, Advay wisely ducked under it, letting the ball fly past him into the gloves of Dinesh Karthik.

The crowd whistled and clapped, appreciating the battle unfolding between raw pace and raw talent.

The next two balls were tight, quick deliveries that Advay defended well, nudging one for a single, bringing Virat on strike.

The final ball of the over, Ferguson went full and straight, but Virat stepped forward with perfect timing, leaning into a classic cover drive that bisected the fielders and raced to the boundary!

The crowd exploded again!

RCB 13/0 after the first over.

Harsha Bhogle admired the shot. "There is something poetic about a Virat Kohli cover drive. No matter how many times you see it, you just can't get enough."

Sunil Narine was handed the ball for the second over. The mystery spinner, a legend in the IPL, was the real test.

Matthew Hayden nodded. "This is going to be interesting. Narine loves bowling in the powerplay, and he's been KKR's trump card for years. Let's see how RCB handles him."

Narine's first delivery was flat, quick, and on a good length. Virat stretched forward, soft hands, perfect technique, and nudged it to point for a single.

Now, it was Advay vs Narine.

The next ball drifted in, straightening slightly—the typical Narine variation that had dismissed world-class batters over the years. Advay read it well, adjusted his stance, and whipped it through midwicket for four!

The crowd gasped! Even Narine gave a small nod, acknowledging the quality of the shot.

Harsha Bhogle whistled in admiration. "Oh my! That's not an easy shot to play against Narine, but Advay Rai has made it look effortless!"

Virat walked up to Advay, tapping his bat against his gloves. "Watch him closely. He doesn't spin it big, but he's smart."

Advay gave a small nod. "I got it."

Narine wasn't rattled. His next delivery was slower, wider, tempting the drive. Advay, seeing the flight, stepped forward and launched it over extra cover! The ball soared into the night sky, clearing the boundary with ease!

SIX!

Eden Gardens fell silent for a moment before the RCB fans erupted in celebration.

Matthew Hayden let out a low whistle. "Advay Rai is playing fearless cricket. First a four through midwicket, and now this towering six over cover! He is putting the pressure right back on Narine!"

After two overs, RCB raced to 26/0.

The next few overs continued at the same blistering pace.

Virat began playing the anchor role, rotating strike, letting Advay take on the bowlers, but whenever the opportunity arose, he played his trademark wristy flicks and exquisite drives.

In the 5th over, Ferguson returned, but this time, Virat took charge. A short ball sat up perfectly, and Virat pulled it over deep midwicket for six! The crowd went berserk, the chants growing louder with each boundary.

Harsha Bhogle, almost breathless, commented, "RCB is treating this KKR bowling lineup with absolute disdain!"

By the time the powerplay ended, the scoreboard flashed a stunning 72/0.

Virat Kohli stood on *31(18), while Advay was already *39(17).

Dinesh Karthik, standing behind the stumps, looked frustrated, shaking his head as he spoke to his bowlers. KKR needed a breakthrough. Fast.

Andre Russell was brought into the attack in the 7th over, looking to break the dangerous partnership. His first ball was a 146 kmph length delivery, but Advay picked it early, stood tall, and smoked it straight down the ground for six!

Russell stopped in his follow-through, staring at the ball sailing over the sightscreen.

Harsha Bhogle couldn't believe it. "He is toying with the bowling attack! Advay Rai is playing like a man possessed!"

By the end of 10 overs, the scoreboard told a frightening story for KKR.

RCB 134/0 in 10 overs.

Advay was on 78(38)* with 9 fours and 5 sixes, while Virat had smoothly moved to 50(22)* with 6 fours and 2 sixes.

Matthew Hayden shook his head in admiration. "I don't know what's scarier—RCB's batting or the fact that they aren't slowing down!"

The KKR players looked completely lost, their bowling plans falling apart as the Advay-Virat partnership threatened to take the game completely out of their reach. The pressure was immense, and the Eden Gardens crowd knew it.

RCB was on a mission, and so far, nothing could stop them.

The 11th over was a turning point in the match, something the Eden Gardens crowd had been desperately waiting for.

With RCB at 134/0 after 10 overs, the KKR players looked exhausted, their shoulders slightly slumped. The bowlers had tried everything, but nothing had worked against Advay and Virat's relentless assault.

Dinesh Karthik, standing behind the stumps, walked up to Andre Russell, who was set to bowl the 11th over. "We need a breakthrough. One wicket and we can turn this around." Russell, sweat dripping down his forehead, gave a curt nod. He knew it had to be him.

Russell steamed in, his 146 kmph thunderbolt pitching short, just outside off. Virat, seeing the width, went for a powerful cut shot, but the ball bounced a bit extra, catching the outside edge and flying straight to first slip!

The stadium erupted in a deafening roar as Virat Kohli fell for 50 off 22 balls.

Harsha Bhogle's voice rang through the commentary box. "Finally, KKR gets a breakthrough! Andre Russell has done it, and it's the big wicket of Virat Kohli!"

Virat stood at the crease for a second, disappointed, before turning toward Advay, giving him a slight nod. As he walked off, the KKR players celebrated wildly, knowing they had finally broken the monster opening stand.

But they weren't done.

Three balls later, Russell ran in again, this time targeting Advay with a full delivery at 149 kmph. Advay stepped forward, looking to loft it over mid-off, but he didn't get enough elevation. The ball went flat, straight to Shreyas Iyer at extra cover!

Advay stood there for a moment, stunned. He had been flawless the entire innings, but one slight miscue had brought his downfall. The Eden Gardens crowd erupted once again, this time even louder, as KKR suddenly found themselves right back in the game.

Harsha Bhogle's voice was almost drowned out by the noise. "Would you believe it?! Virat Kohli and Advay Rai—both gone in the same over! Andre Russell has turned this game on its head!"

As Advay walked back to the pavilion, the KKR players patted Russell on the back, their energy completely renewed. The scoreboard, which had once looked terrifying, now had a chance to be controlled.

From 134/0 in 10 overs, RCB suddenly found themselves struggling to regain momentum. AB de Villiers and Moeen Ali walked in next, but the KKR bowlers had found their rhythm.

Sunil Narine and Kuldeep Yadav tightened the grip, bowling dot balls and picking up wickets at crucial moments. Moeen Ali played a few attacking shots but fell to Narine, while AB de Villiers tried to anchor the innings before falling in the 17th over.

The finishing push came from Marcus Stoinis and Colin de Grandhomme, who added some quick runs in the last few overs to push RCB past 200.

At the end of 20 overs, the scoreboard flashed:

RCB – 213/7

Harsha Bhogle summed it up perfectly. "This is still a massive total, but credit to KKR. From 134/0 in 10 overs, they pulled it back brilliantly."

Matthew Hayden nodded. "Andre Russell changed everything. RCB was heading for 230-240, but KKR will take this."

The players walked off, and as RCB returned to the dugout, Virat gave Advay a small pat on the back. "We'll defend this."

Advay, still thinking about his dismissal, finally nodded. "Yeah. Let's finish what we started."

As the RCB players walked back onto the field, the Eden Gardens crowd was still buzzing, knowing that KKR had a massive target of 214 to chase. The home fans were still hopeful—after all, they had some of the most dangerous power-hitters in the league, and Eden Gardens was known for high-scoring chases.

Virat Kohli gathered the team into a huddle, his voice firm yet calm. "We've put up a great total, but 213 is only a winning score if we bowl with discipline. They'll come hard at us, so let's not give them anything easy."

The RCB fielders clapped and broke the huddle, spreading out into their positions. The opening pair of Chris Lynn and Sunil Narine strode out to the middle, both known for their explosive starts in the powerplay.

From the commentary box, Harsha Bhogle's voice carried the tension of the moment. "RCB have been dominant with the bat, but now comes the real test—can their bowlers defend this total? If there's one thing we know, it's that KKR never back down from a big chase."

Navdeep Saini took the new ball, his eyes locked onto Chris Lynn, who stood at the crease, bat twirling in his hands. The first delivery was full and fast, clocking in at 144 kmph, and Lynn met it with a solid drive straight down the ground for four!

The KKR fans roared, and Virat nodded at Saini, signaling him to stay focused.

Next ball—short, rising toward Lynn's body at 145 kmph. This time, he mistimed the pull shot, and the ball looped toward deep square leg—but it landed just short of the fielder. A single.

Now, it was Sunil Narine on strike. Everyone knew how dangerous he was in the powerplay—either he would destroy you, or he would be gone early.

Saini banged in another short delivery, but Narine was ready. He rocked back and launched it over fine leg for six! The ball soared into the night sky, disappearing into the stands.

Harsha Bhogle chuckled. "Oh dear! That's the Sunil Narine we know! When he connects, it goes a mile!"

The first over ended with KKR already at 12/0, and the pressure was immediately back on RCB.

Virat decided to bring in Umesh Yadav for the second over, hoping his extra pace would unsettle the batters.

But Narine was in no mood to settle—first ball, fuller length, and BOOM! Straight down the ground for six!

Virat sighed, walking up to Umesh. "Keep it simple. Hit the hard length."

Umesh adjusted, bowling back of a length at 146 kmph, and this time, Narine went for the pull—but mistimed it! The ball went high into the night sky, and at deep midwicket, Marcus Stoinis settled under it and took the catch!

The RCB players erupted, and the KKR crowd fell silent for a moment.

Harsha Bhogle: "And RCB strike early! Sunil Narine looked dangerous, but he departs for just 13. That's a big breakthrough for Virat's men!"

At 28/1 after 3 overs, KKR was still going strong, but RCB had drawn first blood.

Robin Uthappa walked in, his calm demeanor a contrast to Lynn's aggressive intent. The next few overs saw Lynn take on the bowlers, while Uthappa rotated strike smartly, keeping the scoreboard ticking.

By the end of the powerplay, KKR had raced to 72/1 in 6 overs. The required rate was still above 10 per over, but with Shubman Gill, Nitish Rana, and Andre Russell yet to come, KKR was still in the chase.

Virat turned to Yuzvendra Chahal, knowing that his leg-spin could be the key to breaking partnerships.

And the move worked immediately.

In the 8th over, Chahal tossed up a flighted delivery outside off, tempting Lynn to go for the big shot. Lynn swung hard—but he only managed a thick edge! The ball flew toward short third man, where Umesh Yadav dived forward and grabbed the catch!

Lynn was gone for 42 off 24 balls, and suddenly, KKR had lost both openers.

The Eden Gardens crowd fell into a hushed silence, knowing that they needed a strong partnership now.

At 89/2 in 9 overs, Nitish Rana and Robin Uthappa tried to steady the innings, but Chahal struck again in the 12th over, trapping Uthappa LBW for 31!

Now, all eyes were on Shubman Gill and Andre Russell, the two men who could still pull off this chase.

As the 14th over began, KKR needed 95 off 36 balls. It was a tough ask, but with Russell at the crease, nothing was impossible.

The next few overs turned into an all-out assault.

Russell sent Umesh Yadav into the stands twice in the 15th over, then took on Marcus Stoinis in the 16th, smashing two sixes and a four to bring the equation down to 55 off 24 balls.

The KKR fans were back on their feet, roaring as Russell single-handedly pulled his team back into the contest.

Virat needed a breakthrough, and he turned to Advay Rai, handing him the ball for the 17th over.

Advay ran in, 144 kmph delivery, and Russell went for the big shot again! But this time, he didn't middle it! The ball went high toward long-on, where Shimron Hetmyer settled under it and took the catch!

The stadium fell silent.

Harsha Bhogle's voice rang out. "Advay Rai has done it! He has removed the most dangerous man in the game—Andre Russell falls for 44 off 19 balls!"

The match had turned once again, and KKR now needed 42 off 18 balls.

Shubman Gill fought hard, hitting a few boundaries, but Saini and Umesh bowled tight overs at the death, leaving KKR needing 20 runs off the final over.

Virat handed the ball to Marcus Stoinis, who held his nerve, conceding only 7 runs, sealing a 12-run win for RCB!

The RCB players ran toward each other, celebrating yet another brilliant performance. The Eden Gardens crowd gave a standing ovation, appreciating the high-intensity thriller they had just witnessed.

Harsha Bhogle summed it up perfectly: "What a game! What a fight from KKR, but RCB holds their nerve to stay unbeaten in IPL 2019!"

Virat walked up to Advay, patting him on the shoulder. "three matches, three match-winning performances. Not bad, kid."

Advay simply smiled, taking in the moment. RCB was on a roll, and he was right at the heart of it.