Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are back in the race for the playoffs after a 4-wicket win against the IPL 2024 Gujarat Titans (GT) on Saturday. This win moved them to 7th place IPL points table.
Dominant start, followed by dramatic collapse
The game at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium played out in two contrasting halves. RCB dominated the initial phase Faf you Plessis (64 from 23 balls) and Virat Kohli (42 off 27 balls) put together a record-breaking 92-run powerplay partnership – the highest ever for RCB in IPL history.
However, a sudden collapse saw the middle order crumble and lose wickets in quick succession. From a dominant position of 117/1, RCB plummeted to a precarious 117/6. Joshua Little (4/45) and Noor Ahmed (23/02) GT’s bowling heroes proved themselves, taking crucial wickets and threatening to snatch victory from the Challengers.
Just when defeat seemed imminent, Dinesh Karthik (21 not out from 12 balls) and Swapnil Singh (15 not out off 9 balls) came to the rescue. Their put together 38-run seventh wicket partnership took RCB home with a comfortable lead with 38 balls remaining.
Faf du Plessis is thinking about Rollercoaster Match
After the thrilling win, RCB captain Du Plessis stressed the importance of maintaining an aggressive approach.
“In the last few games it was really good how we played with bat and ball. Aggressive with the bat, incredible on the field. [Assessment of conditions] There was more bounce in the wicket, we got that information and the bowlers were very good throughout. We dropped a snag but were really consistent. Something around 180-90 would have been a good result, but we saw how the game changed.” Du Plessis said in the post-match interaction.
ALSO READ: ‘Stupid reaction of Virat Kohli’s wife’: Netizens capture various facial expressions of Anushka Sharma during RCB vs GT clash | IPL 2024
He acknowledged the need to learn from the mid-innings collapse but stressed the importance of a positive attitude.
“Don’t look at the scoreboard and play the way we want to play. It was a bit nerve-wracking, one more wicket, one more wicket. Probably not the best, but you’re trying to be positive and increase your NRR. From that point of view it makes sense, but at some point you get to the point where you have to show a little calm and composure – probably around four, so there are some lessons to be learned from that.” the RCB skipper added.
With their playoff hopes rekindled, RCB will look to continue their winning ways in the tie Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Dharamsala on Thursday, May 9th.