Rajasthan score a decent target on a low riding pitch
RCB performed admirably by restricting one of the season’s most prolific PowerPlay teams to a mere 45 runs, despite failing to secure a wicket. The pitch exhibited slow conditions, making it challenging to play aggressive shots early in the innings. RCB’s seam bowlers consistently maintained effective lengths, complicating stroke play for the batsmen. They also demonstrated strategic adaptability by employing a short third man as a fly slip and positioning a short extra cover for Sanju Samson. Among the openers, Yashasvi Jaiswal displayed greater fluency, skillfully using his footwork to score six of the seven boundaries achieved by RR during this phase. In contrast, Samson struggled to find his rhythm, managing only 13 runs off 16 balls.
Krunal Pandya was introduced immediately after the PowerPlay and made an impact right away by stumping the out-of-form Sanju Samson. RCB relied on their spinners during the early stages of this phase, and Suyash Sharma nearly claimed a wicket as well; however, Yash Dayal dropped a straightforward catch at backward point off Riyan Parag, resulting in an over that conceded 12 runs. This incident epitomized a forgettable fielding performance from RCB, characterized by seven misfields and two dropped catches. Jaiswal and Parag stabilized the innings with a partnership of 56 runs, but just as they appeared poised to accelerate, Dayal returned to claim a breakthrough, deceiving Parag with a slower delivery that was chipped to extra cover. By that point, Jaiswal had reached his third half-century at this venue, scoring 50 runs off 35 balls. Meanwhile, Krunal delivered a vital spell, concluding with figures of 4 overs, 29 runs, and 1 wicket.
Jaiswal seemed on track for a spectacular finish when he targeted Hazlewood in the 16th over, hitting a six and a four. However, the Australian bowler retaliated by trapping him LBW for a commendable 75 runs off 48 balls. RCB then squandered another chance in Suyash Sharma’s final over, with Virat Kohli dropping a straightforward catch at long-off, allowing Dhruv Jurel to continue his innings. This missed opportunity proved detrimental, as Jurel capitalized by scoring 35 runs off 23 balls, including several boundaries, helping RR surpass the 170-run mark. Notably, this total represented the second-lowest score for a team losing only four wickets since the
Easy chase for superhit opening pair of Salt and Kohli
The drop-catching issues persisted into the second innings, allowing Phil Salt to capitalize by scoring 46 of the 65 runs during the PowerPlay, which included four sixes and an equal number of fours. He was granted a reprieve on 40 runs by Yashasvi Jaiswal, shortly after Riyan Parag missed a high catch that would have given Sandeep Sharma a record-equaling eighth dismissal of Virat Kohli in the IPL. Although the Royals’ bowlers, particularly Jofra Archer, initially found some swing, they ultimately succumbed to Salt’s powerful hitting as the PowerPlay progressed.
Salt continued to dominate against spin, even with the field spread out. He created space and struck Wanindu Hasaranga through extra cover to reach a rapid half-century off just 28 balls, then followed up with a six against both Hasaranga and Kumar Kartikeya. His explosive innings of 65 runs off 33 balls, which included six sixes, concluded when he was caught by Kartikeya, but not before he and his partner had established a 92-run opening partnership that nearly secured victory. Kohli, who had been playing a supporting role during the onslaught, quickly accelerated his scoring. After making 30 runs off 28 balls, he added 20 runs in just 11 deliveries, highlighted by a magnificent straight six off his former teammate Hasaranga. This innings marked his third half-century of the season and his 100th fifty in T20 cricket, a feat previously achieved only by David Warner.
Devdutt Padikkal continued his impressive form in the tournament, finishing not out on a swift 40 runs from 28 balls as RCB successfully chased down the target with 15 balls remaining.
SCORECARD: 173/5 in 20 overs (Yashasvi Jaiswal 75, Dhruv Jurel 35*; Krunal Pandya 1-29) lost to Royal Challengers Bengaluru 175/1 in 17.3 overs (Phil Salt 65, Virat Kohli 62*, Devdutt Padikkal 40*) by 9 wickets.
Great bowling performance by RCB! How did they manage to keep the scoring rate so low without taking wickets?
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