Gujarat Lions all but ended Royal Challengers Bangalore’s slim hopes of making it to the playoffs with a thumping 7-wicket victory over the runners-up of last year. Aaron Finch starred with the bat, scoring 72 off just 34 balls and added 92 runs with Suresh Raina to help his team chase down the 134-run target inside 14 overs.
The visitors began their chase on a shaky note with both their openers departing with only 23 runs on the board before Finch calmed down the nerves with a whirlwind knock. The Australia opener played the big shots right from the word go and scored the fastest fifty by a Gujarat Lions player in the history of the tournament, off only 22 balls.
Virat Kohli’s men got a slim chance of making an unlikely comeback into the match when Suresh Raina was caught off the bowling of Yuzvendra Chahal with the scorecard reading 87 runs in the 10th over. However, replays showed the bowler had overstepped only to add more salt to the Royal Challengers’ wounds.
The big partnership finally came to an end when Finch was dismissed by Negi in the 13th over. But before that, he had already done the damage with a blistering knock of 72 runs including 5 fours and 6 sixes. By the time he got out, the visitors needed only 20 runs from 47 balls. Raina and Ravindra Jadeja then ended the formalities without mich fuss.
Earlier, the Royal Challengers batsmen once again faltered with the bat as they were bowled out for only 134. Put in to bat first, the batting side was in a spot of bother after being reduced to 22 for 3 inside 5 overs before Kedar Jadhav and AB de Villiers steadied the ship with a 36-run partnership. A 40-run stand between Pawan Negi and Mandeep Singh then helped the hosts to get to the three-digit mark followed by some handy contribution from S Aravind (9) and Aniket Choudhary (15*) as the runners-up of last season posted a decent total.
Here is how Twitter reacted to the match:
@AaronFinch5 is in town people #kaboooooooom serious hitting
— David Warner (@davidwarner31) April 27, 2017
@AaronFinch5 absolutely smoking it !! On fire ? #RCBvGL
— Mithun Manhas (@MithunManhas) April 27, 2017
It has been a horror season for #RCB and, to be honest, no one saw this coming. Quite incredible, really.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) April 27, 2017
https://twitter.com/AllTimeBakchod/status/857644382312423424
One reason why players lose their mind with options. Finch has hit sixes normally at will. On free hit, he attempts something wild, misses.
— Nikhil ? (@CricCrazyNIKS) April 27, 2017
Bowling a no ball is just criminal. Like an expert once said, it's a huge crease, stay well inside.
— Nikhil ? (@CricCrazyNIKS) April 27, 2017
The way RCB is performing, Virat Kohli need a lot of different ways of saying: "If we keep playing like this we, don't deserve to win" #IPL
— Shubh Aggarwal (@shubh_chintak) April 27, 2017
Arun Lal- फिंच गली में फंसते हैं , यहां पकड़ा जा सकता इन्हें
Kapil – जी मुझे याद है एक बार आप भी फंस गये थे गली में,क्या कुटाई हुई थी आपकी
— Arun Lol (@dhaikilokatweet) March 26, 2015
https://twitter.com/AllTimeBakchod/status/857635972858740736
https://twitter.com/AllTimeBakchod/status/857631682299654144
Just a "Finch of salt" on RCB's wounds. #RCBvGL #ipl
— Dileep Krishna (@benigntumour) April 27, 2017
RCB ki MCD padi hai.
— Unavailable (@AFOldaccount123) April 27, 2017
Condition is so bad that RCB will lose even if they play against AAP..!!#RCBvGL
— Aagam Shah (@aagamgshah) April 27, 2017
#RCBvGL
RCB has the best batting line-up on paper.
But unfortunately, these days, we live in a paperless world.— Ramesh Srivats (@rameshsrivats) April 27, 2017
#RCBvGL RCB knew they are not making into the playoffs so gave GL a chance ??
— Saurabh Agrawal (@Saurabh78204731) April 27, 2017
#RCBvGL Kejri:EVM malfunction
RCB : Everything malfunction.— S.Balaji (@balajibands) April 27, 2017
Virat Kohli's best performance in this IPl is in that jio ad #RCBvGL #ipl
— MsStrange (@nowsaymyname_) April 27, 2017