Chennai continue dream run, claim easy win against Bangalore
Royal Challengers Bangalore slumped to another defeat, this time to Chennai Super King in the Indian Premier League. Mahendra Singh Dhoni and co completed the easy run chase with six wickets and 11 balls to spare.
This was RCB’s second loss to CSK in the same season. The 157-run target on the Sheikh Zayed track was never going to restrict Chennai in the second innings.
Ruturaj Gaikwad and Faf du Plessis showed why they have been so dependable openers for CSK, adding 38 and 31 respectively. The opening duo hammered the Bangalore balling line-up all over the park in the powerplay.
The only way RCB could have been in the driving seat was to grab a scalp or two in the initial overs, but Gaikwad and du Plessis never allowed the RCB to come back into the contest.
Their partnership allowed others batters to build on a solid partnership, without worrying about the run rate or wickets in hand.
Sluggish second half costs RCB the match
Unlike CSK, Bangalore’s middle-order crumbled under pressure. Despite having a star-studded line-up, it’s becoming a habit for Virat Kohli’s men to throw away their wickets in a matter of minutes.
Bangalore were cruising just over a 9 run-per-over rate till the 10th over. Right after Kohli sent the ball straight to Ravi Jadeja on the midwicket region, the RCB got hit with a domino effect.
Soon after VK’s departure, AB de Villiers and Devdutt Padikkal were dismissed in two consecutive deliveries. They hardly scored run a ball, failing to capitalise on the 100-run stand that Kohli and Padikkal put up with ease.
No other batter really got going, ending up with a mediocre total of 156/6 despite looking at a 200+ score with the kind of dreamy start they had.
Bravo shows experience
Dwayne Bravo has had a few good weeks in franchise cricket. He lifted the Caribbean Premier League title with St Patriots a few weeks ago and now he’s picking wickets for fun in the IPL.
The veteran white-ball specialist dismissed Kohli, Harshal Patel and Glenn Maxwell. His variations and perfect lengths never allowed the RCB batters to open their arms at will.
His 3/24 against a side that is full of batting juggernauts shows that Bravo is one of Dhoni’s go-to men when the emotions are running high.
Padikkal oozes class
For a 21-year-old who can hammer top franchise-cricket bowlers at will, Devdutt Padikkal is not doing bad at all. The left-hander has cemented the opening slot with the Indian skipper for a reason.
His 70 off 50 was the glue that kept the RCB batting altogether, for as long as he could at least.
If he continues to impress the way he has been, the youngster may be knocking at the BCCI’s anytime.
