Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) made the worst possible start in the 12th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) as they lost to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by wickets in the season-opener at the M. Chidambaram Stadium on March 23 (Saturday).
Batting first they could manage to post only 70 runs after the Chennai spinners ran over them. Harbhajan Singh and Imran Tahir picked three each while Ravindra Jadeja bagged two. Parthiv Patel was the only batsman to cross the single-digit score as he topped the batting chart with 29 runs.
Meanwhile, it was a cakewalk for the defending champions. Although they lost three wickets in the run pursuit but Ambati Rayudu and Suresh Raina showed signs that they are once again ready for something really big in this edition.
The Virat Kohli-led side need a total makeover before their next game to return to the winning ways.
Here is the players rating of the Royal Challengers Bangalore against Chennai Super Kings at the M. Chidambaram Stadium:
VIRAT KOHLI (3/10)
The Royal Challengers Bangalore skipper will be livid with himself with the nature of the dismissal. It was a half grounder from Harbhajan Singh and Virat Kohli holed out to Ravindra Jadeja – the only fielder place in deep on the leg side. The talismanic run-scorer managed to score only six runs from 12 balls before getting out.
PARTHIV PATEL (7/10)
Parthiv Patel was the only Royal Challengers Bangalore batsman to reach the double-digit figure. He was the last man to get out scoring 29 runs from 35 balls including two boundaries. He witnessed all the batters getting out from the other end and lacked partners.
MOEEN ALI (4/10)
Moeen Ali started the season in a flash hitting Harbhajan Singh for six over the mid-wicket region. But the experienced Indian off-spinner foxed the English all-rounder with a slight change of pace to get him out for nine runs.
AB DE VILLIERS (3.5/10)
The former South African cricketer had a woeful start to this IPL season as he became Harbhajan Singh’s third victim. Meanwhile, AB de Villiers got a reprieve in the previous delivery after Imrah=n Tahir failed to hold on to the catch. Harbhajan once again undid with great change of pace as Ravindra Jadeja made no mistake to get de Villiers out for a paltry score of nine runs.
SHIMRON HETMYER (0/10)
Shimron Hetmyer who gained a lot of attention with his blistering hitting made a mockery of himself in his IPL debut. The southpaw tried to steal a single of Suresh Raina where there was no run available. It was an easy job for Raina as Hetmyer had no chance to come back as he got out for a duck.
SHIVAM DUBE (1/10)
Shivam Dube made headlines with his clean hitting in the domestic circuit which earned him a hefty sum. However, he failed to pick a googly from Imran Tahir only to find Shane Watson at the slip cordon. But this will be a learning curve for the young all-rounder who only played his first game at this stage.
COLIN DE GRANDHOMME (2/10)
The New Zealand all-rounder didn’t have a good outing as he followed the pack as did his previous batters. He managed to score only four runs before Ravindra Jadeja made him his victim.
UMESH YADAV (4/10)
Although he remained wicketless, Umesh Yadav bowled a good line and length. This will provide him with immense confidence as he will look to use it in the next group stage games.
YUZVENDRA CHAHAL (8/10)
Yuzvendra Chahal exploited the slowness of the pitch to good effect but had very less to bowl at. Despite that, he provided a good start dismissing the in-form Shane Watson for a ten-ball duck.
MOHAMMAD SIRAJ (5/10)
Mohammad Siraj bowled well to get the wicket of set batsman Ambati Rayudu. The tall and lanky pacer had nothing to bowl at but this short spell will be a confidence booster for him in the coming days.
NAVDEEP SAINI (3.5/10)
Navdeep Saini didn’t have an impressive debut for the Royal Challengers Bangalore. However, he had nothing on offer from the wicket. But this will be a learning curve for the young fast bowler as he will grow in stature playing in this platform.
