Published: Apr 24, 2016, 04:30 PM (IST)
Edited: Apr 24, 2016, 04:40 PM (IST)
Shane Watson and AB de Villiers were dismissed early during Royal Challengers Bangalore’s match against Gujarat Lions (GL) at Rajkot on Sunday. It was Match 19 of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2016. While Watson only mangaed six off six, de Villiers scored a quick 16-ball 20. Gujarat’s Dhawal Kulkarni, who opened bowling for his side from the other end after Praveen Kumar bowled the first over, drew first blood with Watson’s wicket in the very second over of the day. RCB brought up their first fifty at the end of the powerplay overs. LIVE CRICKET SCORECARD: Gujarat Lions vs Royal Challengers Bangalore, IPL 2016, Match 19 at Rajkot
Watson opened the innings along with Kohli. Praveen who opened the bowling for Gujarat only gave two runs in the first over of the day. Watson welcomed Kulkarni with a boundary towards the midwicket. Two deliveries later he was sent back to the dugout. It was a straight ball, Watson was tempted to go for another boundary as he went for a drive but managed to get an edge and was easily caucgt by Ravindra Jadeja who ran under the ball from the cover point.
Pravin Tambe dismissed de Villiers in the eight over, just when the South African was seen to get going in the innings. De Villiers shared ayet another 50-run stand with skipper Kohli. This was their fifth consecutive 50-run partnership in this edition of IPL. De Villiers just touched it slightly that was caught by Gujarat skipper Suresh Raina at short cover.
RCB made a couple of changes ahead of this fixture by bringing in Yuzvendra Chahal for Harshal Patel and Kedhar Jadhav for KL Rahul. They were forced to field without Madeep Singh injured himself during a practice session and is on the bench on Sunday. RCB anyway is without the services of their explosive opener Chris Gayle who has gone home for the birth of his first child. His partner gave birth to a baby girl who was named “Blush” by Gayle. RCB skipper Kohli finally won the toss after four matches and has chosen to bat first.
