On a pitch where dew could be a factor, the RCB skipper Faf Du Plessis put everyone to shock by electing to bat.
While Virat Kohli (21 off 20) had a slow start, Captain Faf (35 off 23) came out all guns blazing. He was soon dismissed on a Mustafizur delivery as Rachin Ravindra grabbed a fantastic catch at deep backward point. In came Rajat Patidar (0 off 3) who couldn’t stay for too long in front of Mustafizur as he was dismissed in the same over. The batting collapse continued as Glenn Maxwell (0 off 1) couldn’t make an impact as well getting dismissed to Chahar. Even after power play RCB could never stand again. Wickets at regular intervals exposed the RCB batting order. Mustafizur with 4 scalps was threatening. Rawat (48 off 25) & Kartik (38 off 26) stitched a 80+ partnership with Rawat charging late in the innings, destroying Tushar Despande with 3 sixes in his over. The duo fired just when it mattered. The innings was a classic example of how quickly the game changes.
CSK came out to bat with a clutch in the form of Rachin Ravindra (37 off 15)who was making his debut. Ravindra was accompanied by his captain, Ruturaj Gaikwad (15 off 15) who scored a run a ball. RCB got some middle over scalps with Cameron Green swinging the ball. Green first sent back Ajinkya Rahane (27 off 19) who tried to accelerate as much as he could, then also went on dismissing Daryl Mitchell (22 off 18). Ravindra Jadeja (25 off 17) and Shivam Dube (34 off 28) put up a match-winning fifty partnership and smart shot selection from Shivam Dube helped the Chennai Super Kings seemingly cruise to an easy win for the home side.
CSK next plays against the Gujarat Titans with their momentum riding high on Tuesday, 26th of March 2024 while the RCB would be finding ways to bounce back with a win under their belt as they take on the Punjab Kings on Monday, 25th of March 2024.
The Sportz Planet Desk,
Atharva Shetye.
