IPL 2023, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) vs Rajasthan Royals (RR): Glenn Maxwell-Faf du Plesis’ 127-run stand, Dhruv Jurel's 34, and Harshal Patel’s 3-32 are top performances. RCB beat Rajasthan Royals and move to 5th place in points table.
Brief Scores: RCB 189-9 (Maxwell 77, Du Plessis 62; Boult 2-41) beats RR 182-6 (Padikkal 52, Jaiswal 47; Harshal 3-32) by 7 runs.
Player Of The Match - Glenn Maxwell (77 off 44)
Royal Challengers Bangalore took on the Rajasthan Royals at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru for the 32nd game of IPL 2023. In head-to-head matches, RCB and Rajasthan have been neck and neck with the former winning 13 and the latter winning 12 games. However, at the Chinnaswamy, RR has won four games as compared to two won by RCB and two no-result games. Sanju Samson won the toss and elected to bowl first. RR went with the same eleven, while RCB benched Harshal Patel and Wayne Parnell from their starting eleven.
Bangalore's stunning performance secures victory against Rajasthan in a thrilling match
Boult continued his purple run of form and dismissed, Virat Kohli for a golden duck on the first ball of the innings. For the first time, Boult dismissed Kohli in IPL or any T20 format. Losing another wicket inside of the third over, RCB looked under pressure. A momentum-changing 127 runs for the third wicket pulled RCB back into the game and it looked like RCB were well on track to post a 200+ total. It needed a special direct hit from Jaiswal to break the partnership and soon after, Maxwell was dismissed trying to take on Ashwin. It looked like Maxwell took the energy back into the dugout with his dismissal as a series of run-outs followed. RCB could only manage 33 runs in the last five overs to end up with 189-9.
If RR took a wicket off the first ball, RCB didn’t have to wait long either as Siraj drew first blood dismissing Jos Buttler for a duck. The left-hand partnership between Yashasvi Jaiswal and Devddut Paddikal brought back RR into the game. The duo sped up well to score 92-1 at the end of 10 overs and put on a 98 runs partnership chasing 190. In the next six overs, RCB bowlers bowled their hearts out specially Harshal Patel and David Willey and RCB picked five wickets giving just 37 runs away to pull things back in their favor. A valiant effort from Dhruv Jurel went in vain as some sensible bowling from Harshal Patel sealed the deal for RCB by 7 runs.
Talking Points from RCB vs RR
Rajasthan’s batting looks out of power if Buttler, Samson, and Hetmyer cannot deliver, much like RCB with their Big 3. Jos Buttler’s lack of runs is a matter of concern for Rajasthan going into the business end of the tournament. RCB’s bowling was smart and according to the field, placements helped them defend a total at the Chinnaswamy. Jurel has now displayed his potential in two innings and definitely needs a promotion in the batting order for RR to decrease the dependency on their big 3.
Read More: IPL 2023, RR vs LSG: Avesh, Stoinis help LSG secure a thrilling win against RR; RR remain at top
Top three performances from Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) vs Rajasthan Royals (RR)
Harshal ‘Variation’ Patel finally comes to RCB’s rescue
Harshal Patel was initially not part of the starting eleven for this game and was brought in as an impact player looking at the conditions. Harshal was experimental in breaking the 98 runs partnership between Jaiswal and Padikkal and gave just three runs in the 14th over. Harshal followed up with a wicket win in the 16th over dismissing the dangerous Sanju Samson and the balance tilted in RCB’s favor. Needing 20 runs in the final over, Harshal was trusted to deliver and Mr.Variation Patel brought his experience onto the table and held his nerve to defend 20 off the final over successfully and picked Ashwin’s wicket. The good part was, Harshal was disciplined with his variations and looked like his old self in this match.
Faf-Du Plessis and Maxwell Storm arrive in Bengaluru
After losing two quick wickets for 12 runs on the board inside the first three overs, Faf du Plessis and Glenn Maxwell began the counter-attack for RCB. The duo butchered every Rajasthan bowler right from the word and put pressure on the Rajasthan Captain to go defensive. Everything in the cricket’s batting manual was on display courtesy of Faf and Maxwell. From reserve sweeps to lap shots to tonking the bowlers straight down the ground, the partnership had it all. In a matter of 67 deliveries, the duo put on a storming 127 runs for the third wicket. This partnership was the catalyst in RCB scoring above 185+ even after losing two early wickets.
Read More: IPL 2023, GT vs RR: Samson, Hetmyer help Rajasthan cruise through top spot; Gujarat at third
Dhruv is the potential finisher on display for Rajasthan
After the captain, Sanju was dismissed, Dhruv Jurel was sent to express himself. RR needed 65 runs off 27 deliveries and looked far away from the chase. Jurel showcased his class with some impeccable timing, flicking his wrists and hitting a sixer over the third man and straight down the ground. Though Jurel gave his heart out in his 16 ball 34 runs innings, he ran out of partners at the other end and couldn’t help RR cross the winning line.
Points Table Scenario & What's Next
With this Win, RCB jumped one slot upto fifth position with eight points. Now everyone between 2nd to 6th position is tied with 8 points. RR maintained their top position despite of two back-to-back losses. The Kolkata Knight riders will challenge the Chennai Super Kings at the Eden Gardens on 23rd April, 7:30PM slot.
Read More: IPL 2023, RCB vs DC: Kohli's half-century and exceptional fielding secure win for RCB against DC
IPL 2023 Points Table
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