Kolhi and Faf ( Source :IPL )
In a mouth-watering southern derby, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) clash in the 68th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. Both teams are vying for the final playoff spot, but the defending champions have a slight advantage as they need just to complete a win to secure a berth.
But for RCB, they need to win by an 18-run margin if they are to play the knockouts. The toss was a key factor in this crucial match given the weather in Bengaluru and Ruturaj Gaikwad was lucky to win it. As expected, the CSK skipper opted to bowl first at an electrifying Chinnaswamy stadium.
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RCB vs CSK 1st innings highlight, Match 68
Over 2.6: Rain stops play
Despite a tight first over from Tushar Deshpande, conceding just two runs, RCB managed to get off to a good start. Shardul Thakur gave away 16 runs in the second over, including two fours and a six. Deshpande came in to bowl his second over but this time Virat Kohli didn’t spare him, scoring 13 runs including two huge sixes.
Suddenly, Chinnaswamy was showered with incessant rain and covers spread all over the ground. Rain stopped play for 35 minutes and the game resumed at 8:25 p.m.
Powerplay 1: Overs 0.1 to 6.0 (Mandatory – 42 runs, 0 wickets)
CSK introduced a spin attack right after the restart and proceedings were started by Maheesh Theekshana. The rain not only halted play but also hampered the momentum of the RCB openers. Theekshana and Mitchell Santner were able to generate good amount of spin and put CSK back in control.
Strategic Timeout 1: RCB – 70/0 in 9 overs (Faf du Plessis 29* off 28, Virat Kohli 40* off 26)
CSK tried to strangle RCB with spin but Kohli and du Plessis managed to find some runs and kept the scoreboard ticking. A maximum from the former RCB skipper’s bat in the ninth over, followed by a single and the umpire signalled time for a strategic break.
1st Wicket: Mitchell Santner gets big wicket of Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli has been striking brilliantly and accelerating the scoring for RCB when du Plessis was taking his time to settle down. He brought his slog-sweep to hit Santner for a beautiful six off the third ball of the 10th over. But the Kiwi spinner took revenge on the very next delivery. A big edge from Kohli’s bat that didn’t have the power to clear the long-on boundary. Kohli c Daryl Mitchell b Mitchell Santner 47(29).
Royal Challengers Bengaluru: 100 runs in 11.2 overs
After Kohli’s dismissal, Faf du Plessis changed gears and scored 19 off Ravindra Jadeja in the 11th over. The RCB skipper, who was batting at 30 off 29 balls, stormed to 49 in his next four balls and brought up his fourth half-century of the season in the 12th over. He took a single on the second ball to achieve the feat and that gave 100 runs on the board for RCB.
Strategic Timeout 2: RCB – 155/2 in 16 overs (Rajat Patidar 28* off 7), Cameron Green 22* off11)
Just when du Plessis was looking dangerous, CSK somehow found a way to get the Proteas batter out. A tossed-up delivery from Santner and Patidar drilled it back at the bowler, who managed to get a fingertip before the ball went on to hit the stumps. The ultra edge confirmed the ball’s contact with the bowler’s finger and unfortunately, Faf had to walk back as his bat was in the air by mere millimeters.
However, Rajat Patidar and Cameron Green did not let CSK gain the upper hand from there. The two continued their aggressive play and brought 155 in 16 overs before the teams dispersed for a second timeout.
Innings Break: Royal Challengers Bengaluru – 218/5 in 20 overs
The hosts finish with 218/5! A 78-run partnership with Kohli and du Plessis gave a solid platform for RCB. Rajat Patidar and Cameron Green managed to keep the momentum going. A final burst from Dinesh Karthik and Glenn Maxwell ensured a good total on the board for RCB.