A lot of questions that is yet to be answered by the Royal Challengers Bangalore team as they once again produced a par performance. The batsmen played a lot of dot balls, some poor bowling followed by misfields and dropped catches. With a team that has a number of champion players, you’d expect a better performance.
After being asked to bat first, RCB showed a positive intent this time around as Parthiv Patel and Virat Kohli added 49 runs for the first wicket. Rahane knew Kohli struggles against Gopal, who was too good today, brought him into action and he cleaned up Kohli as expected. A few overs later, Gopal trapped De Villiers and Hetmyer. Stoinis who is playing his first game for RCB, despite struggling added 31 runs during the partnership with Parthiv Patel who played a good knock of 67, taking the team to 158.
A below par score considering the pitch and the number of wickets they had.
Chasing the target, Rajasthan started well with a 60-run stand before Chahal could take charge and dismiss Rahane but the wicket loss didn’t affect the team at all as Buttler was going strong at one end. Chahal once again provided the breakthrough by removing Buttler on 59. After his dismissal, Rahul Tripathi and Steve Smith took the game close. Thanks to all the drop catch, both the players survived until the 19th over. While needing only a run a ball, Smith tried to hit one over the long off and was caught.
With five needing in the final over, Rajasthan picked up their first victory.
While this is a convincing performance for Rajasthan, there is a lot left to work for Bangalore as they have lost four consecutive games here.
Quinton de Kock appointed as South Africa’s Test captain