RCB bowlers done the job in low scoring match
In the match between Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), the pitch at LSG’s home ground played significantly differently compared to the batting paradise at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. The ball gripped and held onto the surface, resulting in a lower-scoring match. RCB came out on top, winning by 18 runs.
RCB, after opting to bat, had a steady start with Faf du Plessis and Virat Kohli adding 62 runs in nine overs. However, their innings never gained momentum. LSG’s spinners, including Krunal Pandya, Ravi Bishnoi, Amit Mishra, and K Gowtham, bowled 13 overs of spin and picked up five wickets for 73 runs. Naveen-ul-Haq, with his cutters, also contributed with three wickets at the death, restricting RCB to a modest total of 126 for 9.
LSG had a disastrous start to their chase, losing five wickets for just 38 runs in the first seven overs. Despite Marcus Stoinis and K Gowtham providing some resistance, LSG found themselves struggling at 77 for 8. KL Rahul, who had earlier sustained an injury, came out to bat at No. 11 when LSG needed 24 runs off eight balls. However, with Rahul unable to run between the wickets, LSG fell short of the target, and RCB emerged victorious.
In RCB’s innings, after a slow start where they scored only 20 runs in the first three overs, du Plessis and Kohli attempted to break free. However, Kohli’s attempt to attack Ravi Bishnoi resulted in a stumping dismissal. Anuj Rawat and Glenn Maxwell also fell cheaply, leaving RCB in a precarious position. Dinesh Karthik provided some late fireworks, but Yash Thakur’s direct hit resulted in his run-out. RCB finished their innings with a total of 234 runs.
In LSG’s chase, Mohammed Siraj struck early, dismissing Kyle Mayers with just the second ball of the innings. Krunal Pandya provided some impetus with three successive fours but was eventually caught at long-off. LSG lost wickets at regular intervals, with Josh Hazlewood, Wanindu Hasaranga, and Karn Sharma picking up key dismissals. Despite some aggressive batting by K Gowtham, the required run rate kept increasing, and when KL Rahul finally walked in, it was too late as he couldn’t run due to his injury, and LSG fell short of the target.
Final Score
Royal Challengers Bangalore 126/9
Lucknow Super Giants (19.5/20 overs, T:127) 108
