Published: May 11, 2016, 11:52 PM (IST)
Edited: May 11, 2016, 11:52 PM (IST)
Royal Challengers Bangalore slumped to a comprehensive six-wicket loss in match 41 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2016 at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore. Despite putting up a decent score in the board, RCB’s bowling once again let them down. RCB were briefly in the game, but could not get over the line. This is a much needed win for MI especilly after they were bowled out for just 91 in their previous match against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). RCB were initially in trouble, but some good batting in the end ensured that it gave their bowlers something to bowl at. Let’s have a look at the highlights of the match. Full Scorecard: Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Mumbai Indians, IPL 2016, Match 41 at Bangalore
Virat Kohli, Chris Gayle dismissed early: Kohli has been in excellent from of late and MI would have been delighted to see his back in the second over of the match. Mitchell McClenaghan struck off his very first delivery, which gave MI a brilliant start. Chris Gayle’s horror from continued as he was sent back to the hut for just five to add insult to injury. Full Cricket Updates Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) vs Mumbai Indians (MI), IPL 2016, Match 41 at Bengaluru
KL Rahul’s gritty fifty: KL Rahul played a lone hand as he scored a gritty fifty to guide RCB to a respectable total. The pitch was on the slower side, unlike the traditional pitches at Chinnaswamy. Playing on his home ground, Rahul read the conditions well and despite a slow start, started going during the latter stages of the innings. Despite struggling with a bit of a niggle, Rahul fought hard and made sure that the bowlers had something to bowl at.
Kieron Pollard’s expensive over: Pollard gave away as many as 22 runs in the 18th over of the match. It really was not necessary to give him that over as many of the frontline bowlers had overs up their sleeves. Baby and Rahul hit him for three sixes and a boundary in that over.
KL Rahul-Sachin Baby partnership: Baby joined Rahul at a time when AB de Villiers was dismissed for 24 and a team total of 98 with 27 balls to go. Baby came in and immediately got his act together. He supported Rahul well, who was going pretty well at the other end. Baby finished with an unbeaten 13-ball 25 and Rahul was not out for 68 off 53.
RCB strike early: RCB had lost their first wicket in the seventh ball of the innings and MI too did the same. Parthiv Patel was caught at first slip off the bowling of Sreenath Aravind to give RCB the perfect start to their run chase.
Stuart Binny’s brilliant catch: Binny took a magnificent catch at deep cover to dismiss debutant Nitish Rana. Leggie Yuzvebdra Chahal bowled a bit short outside the left-hander’s off stump and he tried to clear the cover fence. But the Binny dove and snatched the ball out of thin air to give RCB yet another crucial wicket.
Kieron Pollard-Jos Buttler finish it off in style: Pollard made up for his poor over with the ball as he smashed his way towards 19-ball 35. Buttler too batted extremely well and remained unbeaten on 29. The duo put on 55 off just 21 deliveries.
(Pramod Ananth is a reporter at CricketCountry. He has represented Karnataka table tennis under-15, and is a hardcore supporter of Liverpool FC. His Twitter handle is @pramz)
