Finally, one of the most amazing pairs in the cricket universe found their feet going in a positive direction. The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) skipper, Virat Kohli and the superman, AB de Villiers combined for a 118-run partnership for the third-wicket to script an easy victory to chase down the stiff target of 182.
However, it was one of those eye-pleasing moments in the Indian Premier League (IPL), in front of the packed Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium in New Delhi.
Delhi Daredevils – Rishabh Pant and Abhishek wrecks havoc to post a competitive total:
Initially, it was Kohli, who won the toss and asked the home side to bat first. Justifying the toss, Yuzvendra Chahal struck twice in his powerplay overs to see Delhi on the back foot.
But, youngsters in the form of Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant once again stood tall to steady Delhi Daredevils‘ ship.
Rishabh Pant, in particular, took RCB bowlers to the cleaners by smashing them all over the park. His attacking knock sent negative vibes to RCB camp but the smartness of Moeen Ali scalped the big fish thus leaving Daredevils in a spot of bother. In search of some quick runs, Shreyas Iyer too walked back to the hut.
However, then came the twist in the tale when a teenager, Abhishek Sharma thrashed RCB’s bowlers. He smashed a stunning unbeaten 46* runs off just 19 balls – to hand a massive tally of 181 runs on the board. Earlier, Pant knocked 61 off 34 balls.
Yuzvendra Chahal is the pick of bowlers for Royal Challengers who scalped a couple of wickets at the expense of 28 runs while Mohammed Siraj and Ali chipped in with each wicket.
Royal Challengers – AB de Villiers & Virat Kohli orchestrate a fine chase:
In reply to the chase, Royal Challengers got the initial jolts in the form of openers Ali and Parthiv Patel. Trent Boult saw the end of new opener while the teenage sensation, Nepali spinner, Sandeep Lamichanne bagged his first IPL scalp – to see Patel walking back to the pavilion.
However, it was once again the local lad, Kohli, who stood tall in the chase. He took the attack to the opposition with his sensational hitting in the powerplay overs while AB de Villiers joined the party whenever the shot is on offer.
Both played few glorious shots to entertain the Delhi crowd. In a due course, they also brought the century partnership as well.
With the Net Run-Rate factor on the mind, Kohli went after some quick runs but Amit Mishra found the outside edge while the rest of the batsmen found themselves in the soup.
However, it was again AB de Villiers who produced his own textbook shots – to finish the chase for the team.
Mr 360° finished with an unbeaten 72* runs to his name while Kohli scored 70. The former registered four fours and six sixes while the latter managed to register seven boundaries and three sixes respectively.
Brief Scores:
Delhi Daredevils – 181/4; Rishabh Pant 61, Abhishek 46*, Chahal 2/28