Kolkata Knight Riders finally produced a well-rounded team performance in the Indian Premier League after struggling in the first half of the league stage. The team’s excellent display with both bat and ball, combined with their superior fielding, led to their third win of the season. However, a lot has changed in the Orange Cap list after tonight’s game.
Faf fails, Kohli shines
Faf du Plessis has been in a blinder of a form this season for the Royal Challengers Bangalore. Starting the season as a captain and then filling in as an impact player, Faf has scored more than 400 runs this season and is currently the only player to do so. However, he got out cheaply tonight, thanks to an amazing catch by Rinku Singh at long-on. Faf’s inning was just 7 balls long, and he looked in amazing touch as he scored 17 runs with the help of a four and 2 huge sixes. Faf was trying to clear the boundary yet again when Rinku Singh took one of the most amazing catches of the season. Despite this, Faf has retained his top spot and is currently holding the Orange Cap.
Faf’s opening partner, and RCB’s stand-in captain Virat Kohli on the other hand emerged as RCB’s lone warrior tonight. Kohli played an inning of 54 runs in just 37 balls and hung around till the 13th over while wickets kept falling at the other end. Kohli’s inning included 6 classy fours, but sadly no sixes. However, Kohli has now jumped to the 2nd spot in the Orange Cap list, just behind his teammate and buddy Faf du Plessis.
Venkatesh Iyer and Rinku Singh move up as well
Despite KKR having a mediocre season, Venkatesh Iyer and Rinku Singh are the two major positives that have emerged for them this season. Both batters have been constantly performing for the franchise and have made their way into the top 10 list of the Orange Cap race. While Venkatesh is in the 5th spot with 285 runs, Rinku is in the 10th place with 251 runs. Venkatesh has provided KKR with the much-needed stability in the top order, whereas Rinku has been finishing games for them with sixes and fours being smashed to all parts of the ground.
Orange Cap list after RCB vs KKR Match 36:
| Rank | Player | Team | Matches Played | Runs | Highest | Strike Rate | Average |
| 1. | Faf du Plessis | Royal Challengers Bangalore | 8 | 422 | 84 | 167.46 | 60.29 |
| 2. | Virat Kohli | Royal Challengers Bangalore | 8 | 333 | 82* | 142.30 | 47.57 |
| 3. | Devon Conway | Chennai Super Kings | 7 | 314 | 83 | 143.37 | 52.33 |
| 4. | David Warner | Delhi Capitals | 7 | 306 | 65 | 119.53 | 43.71 |
| 5. | Venkatesh Iyer | Kolkata Knight Riders | 8 | 285 | 104 | 154.05 | 35.63 |
| 6. | Shubman Gill | Gujarat Titans | 7 | 284 | 67 | 142.71 | 40.57 |
| 7. | Ruturaj Gaikwad | Chennai Super Kings | 7 | 270 | 92 | 147.54 | 45.00 |
| 8. | KL Rahul | Lucknow Super Giants | 7 | 262 | 74 | 113.91 | 37.43 |
| 9. | Glenn Maxwell | Royal Challengers Bangalore | 7 | 253 | 77 | 188.80 | 42.17 |
| 10. | Rinku Singh | Kolkata Knight Riders | 8 | 251 | 58* | 158.86 | 62.75 |
Stay updated with all the cricketing action, follow Cricadium on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
