In our match predictions, we had written how whoever wins the toss would want to bat on the surface. Virat Kohli and RCB did just that. The surface was by far the best batting track of the MA Chidambaram stadium. However, as soon as RCB went into bat, Kohli must have started doubting his decision.
Varun Chakravarthy removed Kohli and Patidar in the very 2nd over of the match leaving RCB reeling 2 down for 8 runs on the board. However, Glenn Maxwell who has been the mainstay of the RCB line-up showed just why Kohli has so much faith in the Australian. The swashbuckling Australian smashed KKR bowlers to all four corners of the park.
Together with first Padikkal and then AB de Villiers, Maxwell launched an onslaught that saw RCB reach 204 off 4 wickets. Maxwell smashing 78 off 49 balls with 9 fours and 3 massive sixes. De Villiers was also not one to be left behind. The South African maestro has made it a habit of scoring regardless of the playing surface or the bowling opposition.
In just 34 balls, de Villers took the game away from KKR smashing a blisteringly quick 76 not out. His innings studded with 9 fours and 3 sixes. RCB finishing with a very handsome 204 on the board.
#IPL2021 | Dominant win for #RCB in Chennai!
Virat Kohli’s men move to the top of the table after hammering #KKR.
RCB (204/4) beat KKR (166/8) by 38 runs. Russell (31); Jamieson (3/41), Harshal (2/17), Chahal (2/34)#RCBvKKR Live: https://t.co/Wm044q7clT
— India Today Sports (@ITGDsports) April 18, 2021
KKR had their task cut out, and wanted the best possible start to have any chance of reaching RCB’s total. Shubhman Gill started in the right frame of mind. Kylie Jamieson, the 7-foot New Zealand fast bowler was hit for 2 sixes and 1 four by Gill. However, the nerves of the young batsmen took over and he lofted a slow ball straight to Dan Christian at mid-on.
In stepped Tripathi and kept the runs flowing. If KKR had any chance of running down RCB’s total one of the batsmen had to stay in the middle till the end of the innings and take the team home. Tripathi was definitely not the Knight to do that. After scoring a quick 25 off 20 balls, he top-edged one from Washington Sundar and Siraj took a nice running catch.
Eoin Morgan and Shakin Al Hasan tried valiantly to chase down RCB’s huge total. However, some stellar bowling from the purple cap holder, Harshal Patel ensured that KKR always kept losing wickets at regular intervals. With a seemingly impossible task, if there was anyone that could achieve the total, it was Russell.
The West Indian started strong smashing 2 quick sixes and 4 fours. With Cummins falling to a Jamieson delivery, KKR needed 44 off the last two overs. Mohammad Siraj came in and bowled his heart out. Bowling under intense pressure in the 19th over, Siraj started with 4 precise yorkers that Russell could not do anything about. The Hyderabad pacer concedes just 1 run in his 19th over. Take a bow Siraj!
With 43 needed off the last over, Patel clean bowled Russell with a peach of a delivery. The RCB bowling ably supporting their batting. RCB winning by 38 runs.
