IPL2021: M-43 || Bangalore Vs Rajasthan — “A Royale Battle” !!
“Royal Challengers Bangalore Wins By 07 Wickets !!”
This was Match-43 of the “Indian Premier League”. It was said as the -”The Royale Battle” but on the field it proved to be a one sided affair. “Royal Challengers Bangalore” registers a comprehensive victory against “Rajasthan Royals” & an inch closer to cement their place in the playoffs. The disappointing show of pink army continued & it incurred one more loss to them. Now, it’s almost curtains for Rajasthan Royals. Kudos — Red Army !!
Team Changes: →
Royal Challengers Bangalore: (RCB)
Challengers made couple of changes to the team. Although, this is still a mystery to many, why the red army’s think tank wants to play around the winning combination, that too when the league is sizzling & no team has qualified yet. A speedster “George Garton” got his maiden game of the season & Shahbaz Ahmed — a sensational spinner of last season also got an opportunity to play for the red army.
Rajasthan Royals: (RR)
Well, Rajasthan Royals are finding themselves in the same situation, as of Sunrisers Hyderabad. No matter what, things are just not working for them in this season. Before this match, on a practical note — Rajasthan Royals was a three men team — Skipper Sanju Samson,Yashasvi Jaiswal & Mustafizur Rehman.When bulk of the team members are fairly inconsistent — non-performers, you can’t expect the team to do well.
Royals middle order is just scoring runs & falling like pack of cards. Be it Liam Livingstone,Riyan Parag,Rahul Tewatia,David Miller or Chris Morris (the hefty buy of IPL-2021), no one delivered consistently for the Royals in this season of IPL.Royals made one change & brought Kartik Tyagi back in the team & the most shocking part was — part-time spinners Riyan Parag & Rahul Tewatia were still playing & a full time off-spinner — “Shreyas Gopal” is warming the benches. Royals lost it all !!
Rajasthan Royals ~ Blistering Start & Monumental Collapse !!
Virat Kohli won the toss & invited the opposition to bat. For the very first time in IPL-2021, a west indian opener — “Ewin Lewis” looked in great touch. He went after the bowlers from the ball one. On the other end, Yashasvi Jaiswal was also on the attack. Both the batsmen were scoring runs, around the staggering strike rate of 150. Perhaps, for the very first time in this edition of IPL Royals didn’t loose a single wicket inside the power-play. Openers but a 50 run partnership in no time. Royals were looking good & Challengers looked disturbed.
In the 09th over of the innings, Virat Kohli handed the ball to — Dan Christian. This proved to be a classic bowling change, as Christian gave the first breakthrough to RCB on his second delivery — Yashasvi Jaiswal(31), after playing an attacking innings got OUT !! Now, skipper — “Sanju Samson” walks out of pavilion & joined Ewin Lewis. In the 12th over of the innings red army got a vital breakthrough — Ewin Lewis(51), a set batsman after completing his maiden half-century of this season,was sent back in the pavilion.“Mahipal Lomror(3) hardly survived for four deliveries. Royals were again, in spot of bother.
It was all upto Samson to score bulk of the runs for the team. Skipper hit two humongous sixes & looked in great form. Just when Royals were about to cut loose, a turning point of the innings came — Sanju Samson(19) OUT !! It was a massive blow to pink army & Royal Challengers Bangalore knew this. What followed after was nothing less than careless, impulsive, foolish & insensible cricket.
No batsmen applied himself in the middle & everyone was going for a glory short. Livingstone(6),Riyan Parag(9),Tewatia(2),Chris Morris(14) — everyone disappointed once again. From 113/3 to149/9 — a monumental collapse for Rajasthan Royals. Although, it was very unfortunate for — Devdutt Paddikal pulled off a blinder on boundary. Once again, Royals after getting a blistering start, closed the innings on a very disappointing note & could manage only 149 runs. For RCB, pick of the bowlers were — Yuzvendra Chahal & Harshal Patel - On Top !! RR — 149/9 (20.0 Overs)
Challengers Got To A Flyer…..Maxwell The Game Changer !!
Royal Challengers Bangalore were mighty please will the efforts of bowlers & were the hot favorites to win this contest. Skipper Virat Kohli alongwith Devdutt Paddikal commenced the RCB innings. Both the batsman were on attack. No respite for the Rajasthan bowlers. Ball was flying, in all corners of the ground. Runs were coming in boundaries only. Everything was going in favor of Challengers. The match was drifting away from pink army — that’s when the vetron “Mustafizur” cleaned Devdutt Paddikal(21) with a beauty.
But that didn’t affected the plans of Challengers. Still, runs were coming thick & fast from both the ends. But, against the run of play — Riyan Parag inflicted an impossible “Run-Out” & brought Rajasthan back into the game. Skipper Virat Kohli(25) back in pavilion — that brought “Glenn Maxwell” to the crease. Maxwell & Bharat played sensibly for next 7–8 overs.They were scoring runs in ones & two’s, without taking any risks. Once the match looked in grasp, then wicket-keeper batsman Bharat(44) played few big shots & perished while attempting one. He missed a half-century, which he thoroughly deserved.
On the other end, Glenn Maxwell(50*) scored runs in no time & went bezerk towards the end & completed his another unbeaten half-century off just 30 balls. A.B.Deviliers(4*) hits a winning shot & Challengers wins the game comprehensively by 07 wickets. Glenn Maxwell, once again proved to be the “Game Changer” of match !! RCB — 153/3 (17.1 Overs)
Final Verdict:
With this win, Royal Challengers moved one step closer to the playoffs. On the other end, now the situation is pretty complex for Rajasthan Royals. Even if they win all their remaining fixtures,then they will have just an outside chance to qualify for playoffs. Looking at the opposition with whom pink army have their remaining fixtures, it’s very unlikely that Royals to qualify for playoffs.
FINAL SCORE-LINE:
RR — 149/9 (20.0 Overs) || RCB — 153/3 (17.1 Overs)
Player of The Game: “Yuzvendra Chahal”
I Write: Saksham
