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Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) are back in the final match of the 2023 Indian Premier League (IPL) as they thrash Rajasthan Royals (RR) by 112 runs on Sunday 14 May.
With the win, Bangalore took their net run rate from deep negative to a promising +0.166. They also leapfrogged Rajasthan in the standings and moved into fifth place, which gives them an excellent chance of qualifying if they continue their winning momentum.
Although the nature of their win was very one-sided, it wasn’t a perfect night at the Faf du Plessis and Co. office. League stage of the competition.
Here are two fouls and one keystroke by RCB in IPL 2023 match against RR.
#3 Fault – Virat Kohli’s start to the powerplay wasn’t perfect
Virat Kohli didn’t have to take on Trent Bolt, who boxed him up front to get a duck in the back game. However, the former RCB captain had to contend with Sandeep Sharma and Adam Zampa, who had troubled him in the past.
Kohli is usually the one trying to assert his dominance in negative matches, but he was more than happy to turn the ball into the gaps and pick up singles. The batting was easiest in the first few overs of the first innings, but the opening batsman did not seem intent on getting the most out of the game.
Kohli hit about 100 in the powerplay before being thrown out in the seventh while trying to raise the ante. He should have caught his luck a little earlier and try to maximize field limitations.
#2 Masterstroke – Another partnership determining match between Glenn Maxwell and Faf du Plessis
Where would RCB be without the fantastic counter-attacking partnerships of Faf du Plessis and Glenn Maxwell?
Before facing RCB against RR, Maxwell and Du Plessis had already shared four century partnerships in IPL 2023. While they fell short of the three-figure mark this time around, the duo put on 69 for the second wicket, seeing the side through a difficult period in the mid-overs .
While Du Plessis was content to play second fiddle, Maxwell juggled the field as he often does when he’s at his best. The Australian batsman hit five fours and six sixes in his stroke, which was made at a strike rate of 163.63 with hardly any risks.
Bangalore would certainly have struggled against RR without Du Plessis’ stability and Maxwell’s blast.
#1 Fault – RCB sent in Dinesh Karthik to counter three leg spin overs
Dinesh Karthik is known to struggle against leg spin. In fact, since the beginning of IPL 2020, he has been the goalkeeper Miserable averages 5.1 against this style of bowling.
For some reason, though, after knocking out Mahipal Lomror trying to take on Adam Zampa, RCB decided to send Karthik in. The Australian spinner had five balls remaining in his over, and Yuzvendra Chahal was all set to bowl two of the four overs remaining after that.
Karthik was never successful against them, and ended up packing a two-ball duck after playing all around one off Zampa.
Anuj Rawat and Michael Prasewil, who came in after DK, should have been used before him. Rawat played a fine cameo (29 not out of 11) to lift Bangalore to a defensible total.
Poll: Did RCB get Dinesh Karthik’s entry wrong vs. RR?
9 votes
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