With a flawless performance, Royal Challengers Bengaluru secured their third straight victory in the IPL 2024, climbing to seventh place in the standings. Meanwhile, Gujarat Titans, who had the same eight points, dropped to ninth place due to a lower net run-rate.
Where the powerplay was used to win the game.
Gujarat struggled more, conceding 92 goals during that time but only managing 23/3. Both times, the circumstances were different, and the support for the pacers initially benefited RCB. Gujarat had the lowest powerplay total of the season, while RCB achieved an incredible 92/1 to record their highest powerplay total ever.
| Parameters | RCB | GT |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 92/1 | 23/3 |
| Run-rate | 15.3 | 3.8 |
| 4s/6s | 10/7 | 2/0 |
Gujarat Titans
Holding on during the powerplay
Powerplay (1-6): 23/3 (2x4s) for the GC
RCB benefited from a bowling turnaround from Mohd. Siraj during the powerplay. The pacers chose to bowl first and were able to provide some support, keeping Gujarat’s openers quiet on a wicket with a noticeable green patch. The contest went in Siraj’s favour once more as Wriddhiman Saha slashed over and edged him to the ‘keeper. Siraj had been dismissed four times in seven innings. Sai Sudharsan and Shubman Gill both attempted to revive the phase, but they both needed some fast runs. Both died trying to score major hits, leaving Gujarat in a precarious position.
This IPL, Siraj’s bowling in PP
2/171(17) before to today, ER: 10.05
ER for this match: 4.50, 2/9(2)
Shahrukh and Miller flatter to trick
Middle overs (9 to 15): 79/2 (four-by-six, six-by-six).
Throughout the middle overs, Gujarat’s left-right combination proved to be effective in raising the scoring rate and giving the bowlers something to think about. The pitch was ideal for the pacers’ short lengths, so they started out peppering the hitters there. Some relief came with the introduction of spin, as Cameron Green was picked for 11 even though he hit the ball short in the next over, and Karn Sharma was picked for 12 in his opening over. But Miller died trying to sweep Karn and top-edge just as the pair was about to take off and reach 50. The situation deteriorated when Rahul Tewatia sent Shahrukh Khan back after he attempted a clean single. Khan is a well-established player. Virat Kohli’s straight hit proved to be the difference as RCB recovered once more.
Gujarat placed limitations
Gujarat, in death overs (16 and beyond), 45/5 (8x4s, 1×6)
With 19 runs off Karn in the 16th over, Tewatia had started the onslaught in style, and in the following over, Rashid Khan had hit two boundaries off Siraj. However, Gujarat’s batsmen were unable to continue once more, with Yash Dayal leading the RCB in this session. He initially yorked Rashid for crossing the field too quickly, and Vijaykumar Vyshak at third man brilliantly captured Tewatia. After that, Vyshak claimed two wickets in three deliveries, helping Gujarat be bowled out for a pitiful 147.
Bangalore’s Royal Challengers
Kohli and Faf let fly
RCB 92/1 Powerplay (1-6) (7x6s, 10x4s)
After Virat Kohli lofted the opening ball of the innings for a huge six, setting the tone, Faf du Plessis let loose. Next, Du Plessis had a field day, hammering home an 18-ball fifty that was the second-fastest by an RCB batsman. With left-arm seamer Joshua Little taking the brunt of his attack, he scorched 64 within the powerplay. Before Little had Du Plessis caught at short third man, he was struck for 20 in his opening over and then 14 more in his second. But the captain had already broken 64 by then. At the other end, Kohli brilliantly matched him, hitting a couple of sixes off left-arm spinners as RCB scored their highest-ever powerplay total of 92.
RCB falters but crosses the boundary
Six to 13.4 overs: RCB – 60/5 (8x4s, 1×6)
After the frantic beginning, du Plessis’s expulsion precipitated a very drastic course reversal. Will Jacks, Glenn Maxwell, Cameron Green, Rajat Patidar, and Little all scored in the single digits, with Little mounting a stunning comeback and taking four wickets in all. Jacks and Green managed to escape off the edges, but Patidar and Maxwell dug in and pulled to the deep. Meanwhile, with clinical boundaries, Kohli retained the RCB in the lead until he defeated Noor Ahmed, giving the spinner his second wicket and boosting GT’s chances. Even though RCB had lost six wickets for a total of twenty-five runs, their strong start had served them well. With several assured sweeps and reverse sweeps, Dinesh Karthik took the lead and pushed Rashid Khan out of the game as RCB stormed back to cross the finish line quickly, boosting their NRR along the way.
Brief Scores: Royal Challengers Bengaluru 152/6 in 13.4 overs (Faf du Plessis 64, Virat Kohli 42, Joshua Little 4-45) defeated Gujarat Titans 147 all out in 19.3 overs (Shahrukh Khan 37; Yash Dayal 2-21) by 4 wickets.
What comes next?
The Gujarat Titans will have a longer respite before hosting the Chennai Super Kings on May 10, while the RCB will next travel to Dharamsala to play the Punjab Kings on May 9.
