The audience at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium witnessed an enthralling showdown on Saturday night. Recognizing RCB’s vulnerability in bowling, Sanju Samson opted to chase, taking advantage of the dew. Virat Kohli’s impressive century propelled the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to a total of 183/3 in 20 overs. However, the spotlight shifted to the remarkable partnership between captain Sanju Samson and Jos Buttler for Rajasthan Royals, with Buttler achieving a century off 58 balls in his 100th IPL game, leading his team to a 6-wicket victory in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. This victory catapulted RR to the top of the table with 8 points and a Net Run Rate of +1.120.
Virat Kohli’s stellar performance, securing his record-extending eighth IPL century, dominated the first innings. Despite being the slowest T20 century on the Indian soil and in tournament history, his unbeaten 113 off 72 balls, embellished with 12 fours and four sixes, powered RCB’s formidable score. Apart from Faf Du Plessis’s contribution (44 from 33 balls), Kohli received little support from the rest of the team. Rajasthan Royals’ spinners, Yuzvendra Chahal (2/34 in 4 overs) and Ravichandran Ashwin (0/28 in 4 overs), posed a challenge to RCB’s batters, restricting their scoring opportunities.
Despite an early dismissal of Yashasvi Jaiswal (0 off 2), Sanju Samson (69 off 42) and Jos Buttler’s onslaught propelled Royals forward, with Buttler reaching his half-century off 30 balls, and the Royals reaching the mark in 33 deliveries. With the partnership exceeding 100 runs, the Royals appeared poised for victory, but RCB’s late efforts, including wickets by Siraj, Topley, and Dayal, delayed the inevitable. However, Jos Buttler (100* off 58) remained resolute, leading his team to victory with a spectacular hundred in his 100th IPL game, sealing their fourth consecutive win in IPL 2024 with a six off the final ball of the match.
The Rajasthan Royals next play against the Gujarat Titans on Wednesday, 10th of April, 2024 whereas the Royal Challengers Bengaluru will now fly to Mumbai and play a much awaited contest against the Mumbai Indians at the Wankhade on Thursday, 11th of April 2024.
The Sportz Planet Desk,
Atharva Shetye.
