Royal Challengers Bangalore crashed to their second defeat of the season as they failed to chase the mammoth 217 runs target against the Rajasthan Royals. The target at one stage looked very much within the realms of possibility when Virat Kohli and AB De Villiers started blazing all guns. Shreyas Gopal struck the lethal blows and took down RCB’s chances of chasing.
Here are a few major reasons why Royal Challengers Bangalore lost the match today –
Unstoppable Sanju Samson
The dashing wicketkeeper-batsman who is quite underrated in the Indian T20 cricket made another statement in the Indian Premier League. Sanju Samson playing another unbelievable knock stroked himself to 45-ball 92 with two boundaries and ten sixes.
Sanju Samson kept the Rajasthan innings alive by keeping the attack on from one end. He did not let the batting momentum die and kept the run rate above8- 9 at all the times. Samson was particularly severe on Umesh Yadav as he carted him for two consecutive sixes. Umesh’s over went for 27 runs and RR ended up with a massive total.
Fidgity AB De Villiers
Chasing 217 needed the best of Virat Kohli and AB De Villiers to come out and smack the hell out of the bowlers. While Virat looked at his mercurial best by slamming his fastest IPL fifty ABD just did not look comfortable at the crease.
The fourth ball that De Villiers faced, he stepped out to Shreyas Gopal. Completely misjudging the ball, De Villiers was defeated in flight. Jos Buttler made a hash of the stumping chance and ABD survived but he was shaken.
In the next over of Laughlin, ABD ran from the non-striker’s end despite the non-possibility of a run. Buttler failed to pick up the ball cleanly and ABD survived again. He soon got out for just 20 runs off 18 balls.
Umesh Yadav’s last over
Rajasthan Royals were batting at 190/4 at the start of the 19th over. Umesh Yadav geared up to bowl the last over, this is how the over went –
3rd ball – Short ball and Tripathi pulls it towards deep midwicket, Four! RR 202/4
4th ball – Umesh Yadav commits a major sin, he bowls a no-ball, Tripathi gives Samson the strike. RR 204/4
4th Ball – Samson smashed the free hit over long-off, Six! RR 210/4
5th Ball – Samson is not done yet, the next ball perishes too, another Six! RR 216/4
6th ball – 1 run. Yadav managed to keep one down but the damage is done. RR 217/4
The last over that went for 27 runs ultimately became the difference in the two teams as RCB lost by 19 runs. The score of 198/5 instead of 217/4 would have chasable on this wicket for Bangalore. Umesh Yadav ended with the bowling figures of 4-0-59-0
