It’s safe to say it hasn’t been a son for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). Yet again, the hosts faced a four-wicket defeat at the hands of Delhi Capitals (DC) in Bengaluru. Skipper Shreyas Iyer led from the front to win the third game of the season for the revamped Capitals. During the RCB vs DC game, RCB looked sloppy in the fielding, before Iyer brought up his fine half-century in the match number 20 of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2019).
In what emerged as a lop-sided encounter, the aggression from Prithvi Shaw early on set up the tempo for Capitals. Subsequently, Iyer played an anchor’s role before piercing gaps in his own way.
Iyer managed 67 (50) with the help of eight fours and two sixes. On the other side, Rishabh Pant scored 18 (14).
Interestingly, in the space of two runs, Capitals lost three wickets. However, they overhauled the target in 18.5 overs. Axar Patel hit winning runs for the guests following a late collapse.
Also, the loss saw Virat Kohli bagging an unwanted record of six straight loses in the IPL. Earlier, Mumbai Indians’ (MI) skipper faced five defeats in a row.
The talking points of the game:
The promising show with the bat from Shaw and Iyer put RCB on the backfoot despite losing Shikhar Dhawan in the very first over. The 50-plus partnership has helped Capitals to keep Bengaluru crowd quiet for a while.
Iyer’s methodical approach kept Delhi on the line.
IPL 2019: Delhi Capitals’ 2nd Innings:
While setting their eyes for a low-scoring chase, Capitals lost the momentum early on while losing Shikhar Dhawan in the very first over.
The southpaw got out while facing the very first ball of his innings while attempting a full blown drive. Besides, Navdeep Saini has claimed a brilliant catch at the point region.
However, for the second wicket, Shaw alongside Iyer had stitched a 68-run partnership. But, Shaw lost his wicket while attempting a pull shot off the back foot.
However, Akshdeep Nathan completed a simple catch at the deep square to put an end to Shaw’s innings. The right-handed teenager cracked four consecutive boundaries on the bowling off Tim Southee.
Shaw returned to the hut after scoring 22-ball 28.
Before Moeen Ali picked the wicket of Colin Ingram, the left-handed batter scored 21-ball 22. Following the fall of Iyer, Chris Morris consumed three balls before AB de Villiers claimed a regulation catch on the bowling of Navdeep Saini.
Here’s the scorecard for DC:
IPL 2019: RCB 1st Innings, Bengaluru –
Earlier, Delhi skipper Iyer won the toss and opted to field first against hosts.
Yet again, the star-studded RCB had a dismal start as they lost their first wicket in the form of wicketkeeper-batsman Parthiv Patel at the score of 16 in two overs.
South African veteran Chris Morris has provided a breakthrough when Sandeep Lamichhane completed a fine catch of Patel. He scored run-a-ball nine.
On the other side, AB de Villiers alongside skipper knit a 24-run partnership before opting for a big shot. He could post 17 off 16 deliveries.
As RCB lost two wickets in the powerful, Marcus Stoinis couldn’t do much. He scored 15 off 17b before Axar Patel accounted for his wicket.
Meanwhile, Moeen Ali, has shown some early intention to clear the boundary ropes. He scored 18-ball 32 with the help of three sixes and a solitary four.
For the third wicket, Ali forged a 37-run partnership with Kohli before Lamichhane deceived him. Well, Rishabh Pant was quick enough to whip off the bails when Ali was well out of his crease.
Meanwhile, Akshdeep Nath has slammed four fours to provide the impetus to RCB’s total. He scored 12-ball 19 before Kagiso Rabada and Morris kept picking wickets.
For hosts, Before being dismissed by Rabada, Kohli top-scored for RCB with 41 off 33 balls.
Rabada rolls over his golden arm:
The chief architect with the ball was Rabada for the Capitals. He bagged for wickets while giving away 21 runs in his four overs.
With Morris claiming two wickets, Patel and Lamichhane settled with wicket apiece.
Pawan Negi returned on nought, as Tim Southee and Yuzvendra Chahal remained not out. RCB could post 149 for eight in 20 allotted overs.
Here’s the detailed scorecard of RCB:
In their next game, Capitals will face Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on 12 April. On the other side, RCB will take on Kings XI Punjab on April 13 in Mohali.