Right then, that is it from this one-sided affair where Kolkata Knight Riders brushed aside Rajasthan Royals. Now, we move our focus to the clash between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Lucknow Super Giants at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad where we can once again expect runs galore. That will begin on 27th March, Thursday at 7.30 pm IST (2 pm GMT), but as you know, you can join us early for all the build-up to the same. Until then, cheers and goodbye!

Quinton de Kock is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his unbeaten 97-run knock. He says that it was nice to get the opportunity and make it count. Adds that he didn't face any challenges as he had a three months break since Christmas. Ends by saying that a couple of warm-up matches helped him get out there and do his thing.

The victorious captain of Kolkata Knight Riders, Ajinkya Rahane, says that they bowled the first six overs really well, and the middle overs were also crucial for them as their spinners did really good by picking up those wickets. Adds that this is the format where you want to give your players freedom to play their shots and they have good explosive batters in the team who can turn up on their given day. Mentions that Moeen bowled really well, and he didn’t say much to him. He is happy that all the players contributed to the team’s win. States that every season brings a different challenge and it is an opportunity for them to improve with each game.

The skipper of Rajasthan Royals, Riyan Parag, says that 170 could have been a good score on this pitch, and they wanted that, but he feels that the batting wasn’t that up to the mark. Adds that de Kock played really well and they tried to contain him in the middle overs but failed to do so. Mentions that the team wanted him to bat at number four and this year, they want him to bat at number four, so he is happy in being whatever the team wants from him and he wants to be professional for that. States that they have a young team and have a lot of talent in the group, and it is about having to click together, and they need just one match to show their talent. Concludes that they want to improve their mistakes when they go to Chennai and will try to put on a good performance.

Presentation Time ...

Moeen Ali is in for a quick chat. He says he was practising well and was ready for whenever the chance came, and also mentions it's hard to replace somebody like Sunil Narine, but he did well. Says that a few balls spun while others didn't, but it was a good pitch to bowl on. Mentions that this is a fun bunch and he just looks to learn at this age as well. Says that the team balance is too good and the overseas players are fierce as well. Concludes that facing the quality new bowlers was a tough task, and he hasn't done it after the Ashes.

Rajasthan Royals will be disappointed with their bowling performance, though they didn’t have much of a total to defend. Their spinners couldn’t match the impact of KKR’s, and while they did manage to pick up a couple of wickets, it wasn’t enough to put the chasing side under real pressure. In the end, the visitors chased down the total with ease in 17.3 overs.

Earlier in the game, Rajasthan Royals posted a somewhat fighting total with a few of the batters playing cameos, but no one could convert it into a big score, which was the problem for them. Kolkata Knight Riders bowlers were on the money right from the start, and except for Spencer Johnson, who picked up one wicket, every other bowler chipped in with a couple each to restrict the hosts.

Kolkata Knight Riders began steadily, ensuring they didn’t lose any wickets in the Powerplay - a crucial factor in their chase. Quinton de Kock played the anchor role to perfection, even as a couple of wickets fell at the other end. He brought up his maiden IPL fifty for KKR in style, looking in sublime form throughout. His partnership with Angkrish Raghuvanshi, worth over 50 runs, kept RR at bay, and in the end, it was only fitting that De Kock finished the game in style.

The defending champions are off the mark! A dominant performance from Kolkata Knight Riders as they outclassed Rajasthan Royals in all departments, handing them their second straight defeat of the season. QDK stole the spotlight with a brilliant unbeaten 97, sealing the chase in style.

Jofra Archer (2-0-15-0) comes back into the attack.