It was always going to be a tight contest between Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bangalore , considering the two team’s disappointing start to the campaign. The match lived up to its expectation with Rajasthan winning the match by 7 wickets. Shreyas Gopal’s impressive figures of 3/12, including the dismissal of Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers, helped RR limit the visitors to a total of 158/4. Jos Buttler (59) then gave the Royals an impressive foundation to ensure that his team open their account in IPL 2019.
-- Advertisement --Things are not merry for RCB though, as the team has yet to open their account in the competition.
Match Analysis
- Yuzvendra Chahal India’s No.1 spinner for World Cup?:
Yuzvendra Chahal has been in sublime form. Playing in an IPL side that has struggled with both the bat and the ball, his performances have been a rare exception. In the first four IPL matches that he has played so far, the 28-year-old right-arm leg spinner has scalped 8 wickets, the highest in the league so far. With Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav struggling, if feels like Yuzvendra Chahal is better placed to grab the top spot.
- Nightmarish Fielding Costs RCB
As if their underperformance in batting and bowling wasn’t enough, RCB put up a poor display of fielding. They dropped catches on as many as five clear occasions. It all started in Navdeep Saini’s over when skipper Virat Kohli dropped Jos Buttler when he was on only 15. The English wicket keeper went on to hit a match winning knock of 59 runs.
-- Advertisement --In fact, the dismissal of Steve Smith took three drops before he could finally be relieved off his duties. The first came in Yuzvendra Chahal’s over when Umesh Yadav failed to keep hold of a seemingly easy catch. Then, Mohammed Siraj’s over saw Smith being dropped twice before he was finally dismissed in the same over.
The story didn’t end there. When the score stood at 157/3, with two runs were needed off three balls, Ben Stokes was dropped off Umesh Yadav’s over. The all-rounder went on to steal a single in the aftermath before Rahul Tripathi hit the winning six.
-- Advertisement --- Buttler, Bairstow, or Foakes?
England cricketing display has been impressively lightening up the twelfth edition of IPL. Yesterday, it was Sam Curran who scalped 2019’s first hat-trick off the last three balls. Ben Stokes has been impressive as well with his all-round performance for RR. However, although the English National selectors would be happy with the performances, they are going to have a big headache when it comes to selecting a wicket-keeper for the upcoming World Cup at home.
Firstly, the team’s T20 specialist, Jonny Bairstow has been in phenomenal form, scoring a century against RCB. In only three matches, the 29-year-old has garnered 198 runs at a stunning average of 66.00.
-- Advertisement --His compatriot, Jos Buttler is also not far behind. He has hit two half centuries and has scored 139 runs in four matches.
Then comes a another wicket-keeper Ben Foakes to complete the triangle. The 26-year-old first came to limelight against Sri Lanka when he won the Man of the Series award and has been a first-teamer ever since. The Surrey southpaw has an impressive average of 41.50 in Test cricket, although he has to yet make a debut in ODIs.
It, thus, remains to be seen which of these players do the England selectors include in the starting XI.
Moments of the Match
RCB’s fourth-straight defeat against RR was as torturous for the RCB fans as it was for the team’s skipper Virat Kohli. Here are some of Kohli’s stunning reactions over the length of the match as a defeat looked more imminent.
Epic Fan Tweets
RCB fans right now pic.twitter.com/IBBaQRSDfU
— Desi Viking (@Atheist_Raadha) April 2, 2019
LOL RCB ? pic.twitter.com/eEtquGOnwc
— KIRAN ( رے ) (@KiranDandge5_) April 2, 2019
After every match of RCB anil Kumble: pic.twitter.com/gOjfz6lnyB
— Jatin (@adrilline) April 2, 2019
*RCB to whole IPL teams*
— Farhan Khan (@Stonecoldfarhan) April 2, 2019
Dhakka mukke mat karo sab ko 2 points milega!!
Simplicity level RCB?!!#RCBvRR pic.twitter.com/9bDKTchHB2
RCB supporters to every troll. #RRvRCB pic.twitter.com/pBn5mxCijO
— Aƴʋsʜ ●ʰᵗL? (@ayush_mlr) April 2, 2019
Expert Analysis
Nice, controlled run chase by @rajasthanroyals. #RCB needed another bowler to help Chahal but they didn't find him.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) April 2, 2019
Player of the Match
Shreyas Gopal’s 3/12, and more importantly, the youngster’s prized wickets of Virat Kohli and ABD, were the reason of Royals’ win. Both, especially the former, looked in the mood to hit a big knock. However, Gopal was introduced at the right time by Rahane and he was immensely effective.
A game-changer in the true sense! Congratulations, @ShreyasGopal19! ?#HallaBol #RRvRCB #RR pic.twitter.com/NuweayB17G
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) April 2, 2019
