A ROYAL HUMBLING
Kohli leads from the front as RCB hands Chennai its fifth defeat
Despite a good start with the ball, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) went down to Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in an IPL 2020 match in Dubai on Saturday
DUBAI: Chennai Super Kings continued to be plagued by same old problems as it went down meekly to Royal Challengers Bangalore by 37 runs in the Indian Premier League here on Saturday. This is the Super Kings’ fifth loss in seven games this season, while RCB seems to be going from strength to strength registering its fourth win in six matches.
Setting off in pursuit of 170, the Super Kings was yet again off to a wobbly start with both Faf du Plessis and Shane Watson succumbing to the guiles of the ever-improving Washington Sundar. At the completion of Powerplay, the Super Kings was in an all-too-familiar situation of having scored only 26 while losing both its openers.
But if there was one bright spot for the three-time champion, it came in the form of debutant Narayan Jagadeesan, chosen ahead of the misfiring Kedar Jadhav, as he unfurled a range of innovative shots during his enterprising knock of 33 (28b, 4x4). The 24-year-old Jagadeesan was particularly severe on legspinner Yuzvendra Chahal smacking three boundaries off him.
Just when he was looking good for more, he was run-out with a direct hit from Chris Morris. Ambati Rayudu was carrying along sedately struggling to pierce the gaps or find the boundaries before being castled by Isuru Udana for an unremarkable 42 (40b, 4x4). MS Dhoni, during his brief six-ball stay, ensured he reached a personal landmark of 300 sixes in T20s when he clattered a huge hit off Chahal. But off the next delivery, attempting another maximum, he holed out to long-off for 10 (6b, 1x6). That dismissal effectively sealed the contest in RCB’s favour.
Earlier, a brilliant unbeaten 90 by captain Virat Kohli powered RCB to a competitive 169 for 4 after a sluggish start. Kohli, who walked in at the fall of Aaron Finch in the third over, led from the front with a majestic 52-ball knock that was the finest blend of skill and peak fitness.
His innings had four fours and as many sixes but in searing Dubai
humidity ran four doubles in the final over, a testament to the hours put in physical training. The RCB captain was involved in two half-century partnerships - one with opener Devdutt Padikkal (33 off 34 balls) and Shivam Dube (22 off 14 balls) for the fifth wicket, an unbeaten 76-run stand, which powered the total.
The last five overs yielded 74 runs as the CSK bowlers appeared to falter after having allowed RCB to score only 95 in the first 15 as Kohli and the left-handed Dube went on the overdrive.
Deepak Chahar finished with 1 for 10 from three overs while Shardul Thakur (2/40) was the best in terms of wickets. Veteran Dwayne Bravo (0/29 in three overs) again showed his value by being economical at the death.
BRIEF SCORES: Royal Challengers Bangalore 169/4 in 20 overs (Virat Kohli 90*, D Padikkal 33) bt Chennai Super Kings 132/8 in 20 overs (A Rayudu 42, N Jagadeesan 33, C Morris 3/19, Washington Sundar 2/16)