Match 43, Dubai, September 29, 2021, 07:30 PM
Rajasthan Royals
149/9(20.0ov)
Royal Challengers Bangalore
153/3(17.1ov)
Royal Challengers Bangalore beat Rajasthan Royals by 7 wickets
Best Batsmen
R
B
4S
6S
SR
Best Bowler
O
R
W
Econ
Man of the Match
Yuzvendra Chahal
Commentry
That's a wrap to this game. We look forward to your company on Thursday for the clash between Hyderabad and Chennai in Sharjah. The action will begin at 6 pm local (2 pm GMT) but you can join us in advance for the build-up. Cheers!
Yuzvendra Chahal (4-0-18-2) has been chosen for the Man of the Match award. The leggie starts by sharing that he came late into the attack as there were two left-handers batting so Virat Kohli planned to go with the medium-pacers. Tells us that he has watched the videos of Mahipal Lomror and it was a plan to bowl wider outside off if he uses his feet. Admits that in the first half of the season, he didn't get wickets regularly but he has backed himself after the break. Mentions that he got his confidence back after the Sri Lankan series and is looking to maintain the same momentum.
Virat Kohli, the victorious captain of Bangalore, says that they have come back strongly in the last two games through their bowlers. Feels that when you hold nerves in tight games, you are heading in the right direction. Tells that it was a very good wicket to bat on. Mentions that 175 here would have been competitive. Regarding the plans when Rajasthan got off to a flying start, Kohli replies that they needed a couple of breakthroughs and knew that things will open up. He terms the wicket of Evin Lewis as the game-changing moment and praises George Garton for showing courage. Mentions that they have been bowling well in the middle overs and the start with the bat has also been brilliant. Ends by saying that they are getting into the groove at the right stage of the tournament.
Glenn Maxwell comes up for a quick chat. The Aussie says that they played really well. Adds that Rajasthan got off to a flying start and to bring them back in the last 10 overs was a great effort. On his personal form, Maxwell tells that he has trained well and it's clicking for him. Shares that the atmosphere in the dressing room is great and it's almost similar with every franchise. States that everyone is chipping in and they are not relying on just one player. Praises Srikar Bharat for his knock and calls him a top-class batsman.
Sanju Samson, the captain of Rajasthan, says that they got a good start but failed to capitalize on that. He adds that their middle order needs to work on and is short on confidence at the moment. Feels that the wicket was two-paced and the batters got out going for some big shots. Mentions that they needed to put up a fight and he is happy with the effort and intent put in the bowling. About their position on the points table, Samson replies that they don't have anything to lose and can express themselves freely now. Signs off by saying that funny things can happen in the Indian T20 League and they need to fight till the last match.
Presentation time...
This win for Bangalore was set up by their bowlers. The way they pulled things back and clipped the wings of the high-flying Rajasthan was exceptional. Their bowling after the 11th over mark brought down Rajasthan and restricted them to just 149 on a good batting pitch. The chase started in an extraordinary manner too with both Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal forming a handy stand. They stuttered slightly after losing Padikkal as Kohli was also sent packing soon after that by a direct throw from Riyan Parag. Rajasthan though failed to capitalize on that moment as the pair of Srikar Bharat and Glenn Maxwell stitched in a mature partnership to shut the door on them. Towards the end, we got to see the 'Big Show' in full throttle as he hammered Chris Morris left, right and centre to finish the chase with 17 balls to spare.
Yet another convincing victory for Bangalore! A neat and clean chase from them and they have grabbed two crucial points. They stay third at the moment but would be feeling a lot better now after a bumpy start to the second leg. Bangalore have now opened up a 4-point gap with both Kolkata and Mumbai on the table and have got some breathing space. As far as Rajasthan are concerned, they are now left with an uphill task and things are looking increasingly difficult for them.
In over# 18
4
Riyan Parag 4/0(0.1)
17.1
4
FOUR! AB de Villiers finishes things off in style! That will be all. Floated ball, on middle, AB de Villiers gets down on one knee and sweeps it behind square leg for a boundary. Bangalore win by 7 wickets!
In over# 17
4
4
2
4
2
6
Chris Morris 50/0(4)
16.6
4
FOUR! Crunched! Fifty for Glenn Maxwell! He has become Mr Consistent for Bangalore. Very full in length and on middle, Maxwell brings his bottom hand into play and bludgeons it down the ground for a cracking boundary. 22 from the over, only one needed more to cross the line.
16.5
4
FOUR! Edgy! Few words are being exchanged here between Maxwell and Morris. Short and around off, Maxwell opts to pull but top-edges it behind the keeper for a boundary.
16.4
2
Slower ball, on off. Maxwell whips it to deep mid-wicket. Liam Livingstone slides to his right to stop the ball. He keeps it down to two runs.
16.3
4
FOUR! Maxwell wants to finish things in a hurry. Too short, on middle. Glenn Maxwell helps his attempted pull shot behind square leg for a boundary.
16.2
2
Very full, outside off. Maxwell goes after it again but gets an outside edge instead. The ball goes past the keeper to third man. The batters collect a brace.
16.1
6
SIX! BANG! Overpitched ball, outside off. Glenn Maxwell whips it with disdain over deep mid-wicket. The strong bottom hand comes into play and the Aussie gets a biggie.
AB de Villiers walks out at number 5. Also, a bowling change for Rajasthan. Chris Morris comes back into the attack.
In over# 16
0W
1
0
1
1
1
Mustafizur Rahman 20/2(3)