RCB vs CSK: Match Report

RCB's 205 in their 20 overs was not enough, as Ambati Rayudu and MS Dhoni came to rescue for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and won the game for their side with 2 balls and 5 wickets to spare at the Chinnaswamy Stadium.

Being asked to bat first, Royal Challengers Bangalore got off to a flyer and looked in complete control before Virat Kohli lost his wicket to Shardul Thakur off a mistimed shot on the second ball of the fifth over. Shardul continued to bowl well in that over, as he ended up with a wicket-maiden against the likes of Virat Kohli & AB De Villiers.

MS Dhoni gave over the ball to Harbhajan Singh, with the hopes of trapping AB De Villiers, but AB had different intention as he smashed the spinner for 2 sixes and one boundary in that over, therefore bringing back the momentum for his team. RCB ended the power-play with 52 runs on the board at the loss of their captain.

De Villiers continued to hit the ballers all around the park, while Quinton de Kock played the supporting role to perfection. One of AB's shots against Imran Tahir went out of the park for 111 meters, making it the longest six of the tournament so far. He then targeted Shardul Thakur off whom he hit three consecutive sixes as the whole Chinnaswamy erupted into joy with chants of "Aaaarrr-Ceeeee-Beeee" and "ABD... ABD..." echoing all around.


Quinton too joined the party punishing the loose deliveries before losing his wicket to Dwayne Bravo. With the 103 run second-wicket partnership between both the South Africans coming to an end, MS Dhoni and team could finally breathe easily.

A mini-collapse occurred - the home team lost Corey Anderson & AB in the next over itself, as RCB slipped to 142-4 by the end of the fifteenth. A small quick-fire cameo from Mandeep Singh and finishing touches of Washington Sundar helped RCB get past 200, which didn't prove to be enough at the end of the day.

Chennai Super Kings didn't get off to the best of the starts as they lost Shane Watson in the first over itself. But Ambati Rayudu took on Washington Sundar & hit him for two sixes to release the pressure. A small partnership between Rayudu & Raina developed before Umesh Yadav got the better of Raina in the sixth over.

Sam Billings looked in the mood and briefly threatened before he was out, stumped to Yuzvendra Chahal in the seventh over. Chahal returned to take out Ravindra Jadeja for just 3 runs to leave CSK struggling at 74-4 in nine overs.

MS Dhoni walked out to the crease and looked in full control as he smacked Pawan Negi for a huge six down the ground early in his innings. Both Rayudu and Dhoni played very sensibly, took calculated risks and progressed further with the run chase.

At the end of the fifteenth over, Chennai had 135 runs on the board with both Ambati Rayudu & Dhoni around. Rayudu luckily had earned an extra life in Umesh Yadav, who dropped him off Corey Anderson's bowling. Rayudu took full advantage of the dropped catch as he went on to make 82 runs before a terrible mix-up in the 18th over.

It was down to 30 off 12 balls, and with MS Dhoni and Dwayne Bravo present at the crease, it looked pretty much in sight for Chennai. After giving away just 3 singles in the first four balls, Mohammad Siraj was smashed on the off-side for a maximum by the CSK skipper. Pressure built on Siraj as he ended up bowling 3 consecutive wides, giving away 14 runs in the over.

16 were required off the last 6 balls, and Virat Kohli gave the ball to Corey Anderson to finish the proceedings for his team. But it seemed as if Corey was playing for CSK and not for RCB, as he bowled a couple of loose balls and was hammered for a four and a six by Bravo, and then for another six by Captain Cool to finish things off in style. Anderson ended up with figures of 0-58 in 3.4 overs to hand RCB their fourth loss in 6 matches.

Cheers,
Sparsh