RCB notched only their second win in Chepauk since the inception of the IPL © Sportzpics A stunning performance from Royal Challengers Bengaluru saw them end a 17-year drought at Chepauk, as they defeated Chennai Super Kings at their own den to kick off their season with back-to-back wins. Put in to bat, RCB posted a strong 196 on the board before defending the score with ease as their bowlers came to the fore to inflict CSK’s biggest loss at home in terms of runs. Where was the game won? As early as in the PowerPlay. While Phil Salt set the platform for RCB with a quickfire 32, CSK just didn’t find anyone to repeat those heroics especially in a run chase of 197. Instead, they were put under severe pressure in those initial overs where they lost three quick wickets. From thereon, they just never recovered and eventually lost by 50 runs. Royal Challengers Bengaluru Powerplay – Salt lays the foundation Phase Score – 56/1 [RR: 9.3, 4s/6s: 6/2] When the conditions are expected to be tacky, it’s vital that teams capitalise in the first six overs against the new ball. Salt walked out with intent right from the start and picked Khaleel Ahmed for a couple of boundaries. CSK’s decision to introduce R Ashwin from the other end backfired big time as Salt welcomed the veteran spinner with a six over backward square leg and followed it up with two more fours in the same over as RCB got off to an amazing start. While Salt continued to find the boundary, Virat Kohli endured a tough time and needed a full toss from Noor Ahmad to finally fetch his first boundary. However, in the same over, Noor gave CSK a much-needed breakthrough as MS Dhoni’s quick hands once again resulted in a stumping. Devdutt Padikkal then rounded off the PowerPlay in style by whipping Sam Curran over the ropes for a six. Middle overs – Patidar makes CSK pay Phase Score – 82/2 [RR: 9.1, 4s/6s: 6/4] Padikkal proved to be the surprise package post the PowerPlay for a brief period as he took on Ravindra Jadeja for a couple of fours and a six to silence the Chepauk crowd. He threatened to cause more damage before Ruturaj Gaikwad took an excellent catch to send him back. However, Gaikwad’s effort was not backed up by some of the other fielders as they continued to give Rajat Patidar one chance after another. Prior to that, Kohli finally broke free after getting hit on his helmet by the returning Matheesha Pathirana as he smashed the Sri Lankan pacer for a six and a four. He couldn’t carry that momentum longer though as he slog swept Noor straight to the man at deep mid-wicket. That wicket didn’t deter Patidar from going after Jadeja in the very next over as he made CSK pay with a flurry of boundaries to boost RCB’s run rate and set them up for a big finish. Death overs – An eventful finish Phase Score – 58/4 [RR: 11.6, 4s/6s: 3/6] The final phase of the innings started off on an eventful note as Liam Livingstone and Jitesh Sharma hit a six each in Noor’s final over but sandwiched between those two hits was the Englishman’s wicket. Khaleel then put an early end to Jitesh’s little cameo and when Pathirana returned for his final spell, he continued to leak boundaries before redeeming himself in his final over with the wickets of Patidar and Krunal Pandya. That little spell dented RCB’s hopes of finishing with a total upwards of 200. However, right at the end, Tim David gave his side a powerful finish by slamming three sixes off Curran to end the innings in style with RCB ending up with a total just four short of 200. Chennai Super Kings PowerPlay – Hazlewood, Bhuvneshwar put CSK under the pump Phase Score – 30/3 [RR: 5, 4s/6s: 4/0] Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s return strengthened this attack big time, especially in the PowerPlay where RCB hurt CSK to take early command. But it was Josh Hazlewood who first broke through with a double wicket over that immediately put CSK on the backfoot. Rahul Tripathi, looking woefully out of touch, mistimed a pull in tame fashion to get caught easily. Gaikwad’s wicket was the bigger blow though as he miscued a short ball and was caught near the boundary that reduced CSK to 8 for 2. Deepak Hooda, promoted ahead of impact sub Shivam Dube, looked extremely shaky and eventually ended up nicking one behind to give Bhuvneshwar his first wicket of the season. It meant the onus was on Rachin Ravindra again to bail CSK out, alongside Curran who was also sent ahead of Dube. Middle overs – CSK get a taste of their own medicine Phase Score – 68/3 [RR: 7.55, 4s/6s: 6/1] With dew not visibly present, RCB’s spinners continued to strangle the home side post the PowerPlay as well. That meant something had to give with the required rate continuing to climb. Curran, in his attempt to break free, miscued one against Livingstone to depart and that finally brought Dube out to the middle. While he threatened immediately to make an impact by smashing Suyash Sharma for a six and a four, the legspinner managed to redeem himself with an excellent over next to further mount the pressure on CSK. That resulted in Yash Dayal reaping the rewards as he dismissed Dube and Ravindra both in identical fashion in the same over to drag CSK closer to a huge defeat. The slowish nature of the track ensured CSK never got any momentum going. Death overs – Dhoni reduces the margin of defeat Phase Score – 48/2 [RR: 9.6, 4s/6s: 5/3] With the home crowd getting silenced for the major part of the night, only a minor cameo from Dhoni could cheer them up. The former skipper obliged as he found the boundary on a couple of occasions against Hazlewood before taking on Krunal in his final over for two massive sixes. He sent the final ball to the boundary as well to remain unbeaten on 30 off just 16 balls. However, the night still belonged to RCB as that cameo from Dhoni only managed to reduce the margin of defeat. Brief scores: Royal Challengers Bengaluru 196/7 in 20 overs (Rajat Patidar 51, Phil Salt 32; Noor Ahmed 3/36, Matheesha Pathirana 2/36) beat Chennai Super Kings 146/8 in 20 overs (Rachin Ravindra 41, MS Dhoni 30*; Josh Hazlewood 3/21, Yash Dayal 2/18) by 50 runs What’s next for the teams? CSK now have plenty to ponder especially with their batting lineup. But they definitely don’t have a lot of time though as they now seek a quick turnaround less than 48 hours in Guwahati against Rajasthan Royals who are still winless. As far as the high-flying RCB are concerned, they will finally go home after picking up two impressive away wins. Gujarat Titans will pay a visit on April 2.
