After a low-ranked team like the Delhi Daredevils stunned the Chennai Super Kings on Tuesday night in Raipur, the underdogs Kings XI Punjab jumped into the fray to salvage pride by beating in-form the Royals Challengers Bangalore in Mohali on Wednesday. In a rain-curtailed match, which was reduced to ten over a side, RCB won the toss and decided to field first.
From the beginning, the Kings had nothing to lose. There was no pressure of expectation and so they played this match with a plenty of freedom. Barring Wriddhiman Saha, none of the Kings batsmen got those big scores, but they all contributed in small number to compile very decent total. When the first essay of the match ended, the Kings were able to make 106 at the loss of six wicket.
For the first time in this year’s IPL, world’s best fast bowler, Mitchell Starc, was sent on a leather hunt. He conceded 20 runs from two overs. The rest of the RCB bowlers too had to face the wrath of King’s batsmen. It was only Harshal Patel, who emerged with the best bowler.
With the bat, RCB could make an impression. If you thought that RCB could cause down any total with ease with an explosive batting line-up, think again. The likes of Chris Gayle and AB de’Villiers, who came into this match with bagful of runs, had to get back to the pavilion practically with empty hands. Among the top batsmen, Mandeep Singh was the highest scorer.
In the end, it was complete disaster for RCB as they lost the game by 22 runs. Virat Kolhli and his men will have to play out their skin to compensate this loss. In reality, it’s tough to believe that this was the same RCB team who handed out a record breaking defeat to the Kings a few days ago. In that match, Gayle had exceeded all the expectation and had played one of the best knocks of this season. He had massacred the Kings as if he was playing club game.
This loss has also affected RCB’s standing in the points table and they have to secure wins in last two matches to fancy their chances to be in the play-offs. Otherwise, there are other teams like Mumbai Indians and the Sunrisers Hyderabad, who are waiting in the wings to grab this opportunity. In fact, RCB’s next match against the Sunrisers will decide the fate of Kohli’s team.
