Royal Challengers Bangalore bowlers put up a clinical display in the Powerplay overs to return to winning ways with a 23-run victory against Delhi Capitals at the Chinnaswamy in Bangalore on Saturday.
Despite Virat Kohli’s half-century, RCB were restricted to 174, courtesy fine bowling by the Capitals spinners, but they just didn’t show up with the bat. The Capitals’ top order caved in against RCB’s seamers, losing three in the first 14 balls of the chase and their captain David Warner by the end of the Powerplay, to quickly let the game off their grasp.
Local lad Vijaykumar Vyshak claimed three wickets on debut to hasten the slide of the Capitals, who remain winless after five matches.
Kohli (50 off 34 balls) slammed his third fifty in four innings — with the help of six boundaries and a six — before left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav (4-1-23-2) led the Capitals’ charge in the middle overs to restrict RCB.
The Capitals now have the difficult task of winning eight out of their remaining nine matches to secure a playoffs berth. RCB, on the other hand, got their campaign back on track after back-to-back losses as they have four points from as many matches.
Vyshak got his maiden wicket in the form of Warner with a slower delivery. The 26-year-old varied his pace and mixed his length well to trouble the batters and took two more wickets.
After Warner (19 off 13 balls) got out cheaply, Manish Pandey waged a lone battle with 50 off 37 balls. But Sri Lankan spinner Wanindu Hasaranga trapped Pandey, following a smart review, and it was all but over for the visitors.
Edge with the Titans
Calcutta: Two of the best teams from last year’s IPL are playing like two of the best in the current edition as well. So there’s nothing much to choose between defending champions Gujarat Titans and last season’s runners-up Rajasthan Royals when they cross swords in Ahmedabad on Sunday.
Both have won three games each so far in IPL 2023 and have key players in good touch. But one thing that might give the Titans some advantage in the mental space of the contest is the fact that Rajasthan had failed to get the better of them in three attempts last season.
Today’s match
■ Gujarat Titans vs Rajasthan Royals, 7.30pm, Ahmedabad, live on Star Sports & Jio Cinema
