RCB vs KKR, Eliminator at Sharjah, IPL, Oct 11 2021 - Match Result

Thanks for your company tonight, as we head into the next stage of the tournament. Kolkata Knight Riders now meet Delhi Capitals, with Chennai Super Kings already in the final. The Qualifier 2 is two days away, and don't forget to join us for it!

Narine is the Player of the Match for his all-round day: "Definitely [one of the greaetest T20 performances]. When you perform, and the team comes out winning... I am prepared to be out first ball. Some days it comes off, some days it doesn't. I enjoy all wickets, but getting Kohli and tying them was my goal. It was a total team effort. [Doubt with the new action] I am getting close - not that close as yet like before - and the hard work has paid off. [I am] pretty calm and cool when it comes to cricket. I like funny stuff as well."

Morgan after the close win: "Narine makes it look very easy. He bowled outstandingly well. Throughout the innings, we continued to take wickets. Good start from the bowlers, and we were in control in the chase. A quite like it [having three spinners around[. It is a huge privilege when there are world-class spinners around. They continue to get better and better. When it comes off [with our batting order], it looks quite deep. [Advantage to play in Sharjah again] For us, it is a matter of coming back and adjusting. We are looking forward to it. I thought we had a chance [when we landed in the UAE], but the cricket we have played has surprised everybody. Everyone came with a drive to perform... Narine is a cool customer and is very level-headed."

Time for the presentations

Dipanjan Show: "Even as a KKR fan, I can't help but feel heart-broken for Harshal. What a season he had, absolutely marvelous! From the lows of 37 to the highs of hat-trick!"

The Goan: "Any guesses for MoM? :D" --- What a waste of time that would be!

Gill following the win: "Not many gave us a chance that we would qualify. I didn't have the best of the first leg in India, but I knew I was batting well. Delhi are a really balanced team as we see it. This was our third match here, and coming again day after tomorrow, we know what to expect from the wicket. I think we would have an edge over Delhi Capitals. The first powerplay was totally against us, but the way Sunny [Narine] and Varun bowled... Keep building the pressure on them was important, and that is what the spinners did."

Tony Stark: "@Gokul Pradeep V It was a Dhoni-esque finish, but from Shakib. :)"

Kohli after a close defeat: "(Difference in the match) Their spinners dominated the game in the middle overs. They kept taking wickets there. We had a great start and probably should've tried to build on. It was more about quality bowling instead of poor batting. (Bowling effort of RCB) Outstanding. Been the hallmark this season. But tonight that big over in the middle deflated our chances in the middle. We fought till the last. But 15 runs left out there with the bat and a couple of big overs with the ball. (Narine) Always been a quality bowler and tonight once again showed why he is the most consistent wicket takers in the IPL. Not just him, Shakib, Varun and him all three bowled amazingly together. They created pressure together for our batters to not get their big shots. (Last season as RCB captain) Ive tried my best to create a culture where youngsters could come and play expressive cricket. Its something I've tried to do in the India level as well. All I can say is that I have given my best. I have given my 120% to this franchise and will continue giving it as a player on the field. Its a great time to regroup and restructure the franchise for the next three years. I will definitely (play for RCB). For me loyalty matters and my commitment is with this franchise till the last day I play IPL."

Akhilesha: "Thank you Kohli. I've I've a supporter of the idea of him stepping down as captain for a couple of years now, but, it is an undisputed fact that Kohli has given complete time and effort to the team and played every match with passion, leading from the front as a captain. Some things just don't work out but that shouldn't take much away from Kohli's legacy as a captain."

Prakash: "Little shout out for morgan as captain …. The way he using his bowlers…woww….i think its simply outstanding…."

Richard Wesley: "Feel sad for RCB's exit. They had a great season!! That was Kohli's last match as RCB skipper."

9.34pm A tight contest again. Royal Challengers will feel the pinch though, having been in a good position with the bat but to only end up with 138. An all-around show from Narine - he followed 4 for 21 with a quickfire 26 to derail the opposition - which means Knight Riders are just one step away from the final. A dejected Kohli shakes hands with the opponent, having decided to give up captaincy of Royal Challengers earlier this season.

Some drama here maybe? 1 off 3...

Christian has a word with Maxwell now. Over the wicket to Morgan too.

For what it is worth, this is Kohli's last match as RCB captain.

3 off 5...

Over the wicket

Who bowls the last over? Christian takes his cap off, and is ready to roll.

Afnan Ahmed: "*Chatur Chahal :) @Pranav"

Gokul Pradeep V: "Expecting a Dhoni-esque finish from Morgan"

Sunil Chhajer: "Problem for VK now is that his dependable bowlers are bowed out not. Advantage KKR."

Stays over to Morgan

Over the wicket

Garton to bowl the 19th, but only after a word of advise from Kohli and Siraj.

Meanwhile, Siraj now has 100 T20 wickets and 50 in IPL.

Pranav: "Purple Patel, Super Siraj and Trusty Chahal for RCB"

Over the wicket

Shakib is the new batter. Siraj has struck twice this over already.

Over the wicket

Morgan is the new man in. Remember, he has been out of form this season.

Over the stumps to Narine

Kohli now adjusts his field after consultation with Siraj

Siraj now over the wicket.

Is there life left yet in this game? We'll find out soon.

That's Harshal Patel probably done for the season. Finishes with 32 wickets, the most by any bowler, tied with DJ Bravo's effort. Likely to take the purple cap home unless Avesh Khan gets a lot of wickets. Here's Himanshu to end the match.