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RCB vs RR Match Highlights IPL 2021
Padikkal scores 1st century of IPL guides RCB to a 10-wicket victory
The Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai witnessed the rise of another Indian batsman of the future on Thursday in the IPL match between Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Rajasthan Royals (RR). He is Devdutt Padikkal. The 20-year Karnataka batsman who was in tremendous form in the domestic cricket this year, justified his repute on the day, exhibiting the first century of this IPL with a magnificent unbeaten 101 to guide his team to a 10-wicket victory. He was brilliantly assisted by the team captain Virat Kohli who became the first batsman to reach 6000 run-milestone in the IPL on the day, remained unbeaten 72. In reply to RR’s 177 for the loss of 9 wickets in 20 overs, RCB scored 178 without losing a wicket in 16.3 overs.
Chasing a target of 178, RCB never looked in trouble. The evening no doubt belonged to Padikkal as he was in majestic form right from the beginning. Kohli however looked struggling initially in settling down, but Padikkal who scored 101 off 51 deliveries at a strike rate of 194.23 took the pressure off him and built up the innings. Padikkal hit 11 fours and 6 sixes while Kohli who scored 47-ball 72 hit 6 fours and 3 sixes. Chetan Sakariya was the only bowler to have been able to maintain the economy rate of 8.75 as he gave away 35 runs in 4 overs. The RR’s most expensive bowler was Ryan Parag who gave away 14 runs in one over.
Earlier, Royals Challengers Bangalore (RCB) won the toss and elected to the field. Rajasthan Royals (RR) was in a predicament following the departure of Ben Stokes and the team management that looked in an uneasy position while selecting the players for the middle-over, had relied on their two established batsmen, Jos Buttler and David Miller. Both the batsmen failed to click on the day. Buttler was bowled by Mohammad Siraj for 8 only while Miller returned to the pavilion, being LBW to Siraj for the duck. Even Chris Morris, the most expensive cricketer of the ongoing IPL got out for only 10 runs.
Still, RR could be able to take its score to 177 in 20 overs thanks to three uncapped Indian cricketers’ excellent show in the middle-over. They are Shivam Dube who scored a useful 46 off 32 deliveries with 5 fours and 2 sixes, Ryan Parag who struck a 16-ball 25, and Rahul Tewatia whose 23-ball 40 took RR to set a fighting score finally. Tewatia hit 4 fours and 2 huge sixes.
From RCB’s part, Mohammad Siraj, the Indian fast bowler was the most successful bowler who bagged 3 wickets for 27 runs in his 4 overs at an economy rate of 6.75. Harshal Patel also obtained 3 wickets giving away 47 runs in his 4 overs while Jamieson, Kane Richardson, and Washington Sundar managed 1 wicket each, respectively.
