Virat Kohli’s Royal Challengers Bangalore locked horns with MS Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings at Sharjah. The South Indian derby was delayed due to the sandstorm which took place before the toss. Eventually, the coin fell in favor of ‘captain cool’ as he decided to bowl first. CSK went with the same team which defeated MI few days ago. While Kohli made a couple of changes to bring back his team to winning ways.
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RCB skipper Virat Kohli started his innings with two consecutive fours and looked in fine form. RCB’s opening duo were hitting CSK bowlers with ease. It looked like Kohli is in no mood to lose the match. The two smashed 55 runs in the powerplay overs without losing a wicket.
CSK bowlers were in immense pressure and started bowling loose deliveries. Devdutt Padikkal and captain Kohli smashed their fifties in consecutive overs.
However, the skipper was dismissed in the 14th over off Dwayne Bravo. Dhoni brought a change in the bowling attack which worked for him immediately. Kohli and Padikkal fought well for a 111 run opening partnership.
Virat’s wicket did not affect Devdutt Padikkal and ABD as they continued to smash big sixes out of the park. AB De Villiers was dismissed in the penultimate ball of the 17th over. Shardul Thakur bowled a back off length delivery outside off. AB De Villiers slices it straight up as Raina makes no mistake while getting hold of the ball at extra cover. De Villiers scored 12 off 11 deliveries which included a six.
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In the very next ball Devdutt Padikkal falls prey to Shardul Thakur’s slower short ball. Padikkal had attempted a premeditated scoop which paid back for him. Rayudu takes the catch at the short third man.
Shardul Thakur finishes his spell by taking two wickets in a row. Padikkal managed to score 70 runs off 50 deliveries at a strike rate of 140 with 5 fours and 3 sixes. Shardul Thakur has done a good job as he shifted the momentum for his side.
Padikkal has left his team in a good position with a good amount of runs on the board. But it will be exciting to watch how the finishers can end the game for RCB. RCB are 4 down with 140 runs on the board after the completion of 20 overs.
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