We have been fortunate to witness some amazing matches in the Indian Premier League this season but nobody would have predicted a match like the one we saw on Sunday night between Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bangalore
RCB's famed batting lineup completely disintegrated at the Eden Gardens as Kolkata bowled out the visitors for just 49 runs while defending a below-par score of 132.
Even with the likes of Virat Kohli, Chris Gayle and AB de Villiers in the playing XI, RCB somehow managed to get bowled out for the lowest ever score in IPL history. Kohli departed for a golden duck while Gayle and De Villiers just managed 15 runs between themselves.
Interestingly, four years ago on the same day RCB had posted the highest total in the IPL scoring 263/5 against Pune Warriors with Gayle top-scoring with unbeaten on 175, the highest individual score till date in T20 cricket.
But on Sunday, Kolkata only needed 9.4 overs to bundle out the opposition. KKR boast of some of the finest spinners in their lineup but they weren't needed at all as fast bowlers Nathan Coulter-Nile, Umesh Yadav, Chris Woakes and Colin de Grandhomme ripped apart RCB's batting lineup.
Coulter-Nile, Woakes and de Grandhomme took three wickets each to help KKR register its fifth win this season. It was also just the second instance when both teams were bowled out in an IPL match.
Earlier the first match on Sunday had seen Kings XI Punjab defeat Gujarat Lions by a comfortable margin of 26 runs. Riding on Hashim Amla's 65, Kings XI posted 188 for 7 and then restricted the Lions to 162 with Sandeep Sharma, KC Cariappa and Axar Patel taking two wickets each.
In the double headers prior to that on Saturday, Mumbai Indians defeated Delhi Daredevils by 14 runs to clinch the top spot in the points table while Rising Pune Supergiant rode on MS Dhoni's trademark finishing prowess to chase down 177 against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
This special edition of Health 360 highlights several pressing medical and lifestyle concerns, starting with the alarming trend of brides using diabetes medications for rapid cosmetic weight loss before their weddings.
An India Today special broadcast from Tel Aviv highlights the ground reality of the ongoing conflict in West Asia, focusing on the safety of Indian workers and Israel's advanced emergency medical response. Amid sounding sirens, residents and workers are seen swiftly moving into public shelters.
An in-depth assessment of current geopolitical tensions indicates that indirect negotiations between the United States and Iran are taking place in Pakistan, with the Pakistani leadership acting as a mediator.
An India Today Global on-ground report from the Israel-Lebanon border reveals a highly volatile situation as military forces intensify strikes against targets in southern Lebanon. The Israeli Prime Minister has firmly stated that military operations will not cease, reflecting the ongoing escalation. Border regions in northern Israel remain largely abandoned, with residents forced to evacuate or take refuge in reinforced concrete shelters due to the persistent threat of rocket fire from neighbouring territories. The military asserts that these operations are necessary to secure the region and allow displaced citizens to return home safely. Over the past forty days, forces claim to have eliminated approximately 1,400 fighters and targeted 4,300 hideouts, including 150 individuals in the last twenty-four hours alone. Consequently, prospects for a ceasefire remain jeopardised. Israeli authorities refuse to halt operations unless opposing forces are disarmed, while Iranian officials insist on a comprehensive cessation of hostilities. The report underscores the severe ground reality, highlighting the widespread devastation and the profound impact on civilian life.
