IPL 2022 | PBKS vs RCB | Superstar of the match

The third match of the IPL 2022 between Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the DY Patil Stadium in Mumbai turned out to be a run-fest. Runs were tonked left, right and centre, and in the end, the better side won that crackerjack of a contest.

Mayank Agarwal, the newly-appointed skipper of Punjab Kings, won the toss and decided to field first. However, Bangalore made the most of the favourable batting conditions scoring 205 runs in their 20 overs. 

Bangalore’s Faf Du Plessis played a captain’s knock scoring 88 runs off 57 deliveries. However, statistically speaking, they were 18-20 runs short, keeping dew and the conditions of play in mind. 

The Kings started the chase brilliantly, scoring 97 runs at the front end of the innings. However, the Challengers pulled back things uncannily in the middle of the innings, and it appeared that RCB might emerge victoriously. 

Historically, Punjab have lost zillion games after getting alacritous starts, and it seemed like one of those zillion losses. But Odean Smith had other ideas. He gave his team a strong finish scoring 25 runs off eight deliveries taking them home.

Superstar of the Match: Odean Smith

Match Stage: Smith came out to bat when Punjab had 156 runs on the board, for the loss of 5 wickets, in 14.5 overs.

Equation: When the Jamaican arrived, PBKS had required 50 runs off the last five overs. The required run rate was ten runs per over, which is quite achievable in today’s day and age. However, the significance of the innings lies in the fact that Shahrukh Khan - at the opposite end - was finding it difficult to get going. 

The burly all-rounder took it on himself to accelerate and win the man for his team. 

Statistical Analysis: 

Match Changing Over: The 23 runs off five deliveries from Mohammed Siraj came in the 18th over. In his last over, Siraj had picked two consecutive wickets, turning the match in RCB’s favour. 

With 36 runs required off 18 deliveries, the third-last over completely changed the course of the game. Smith flexed his muscles and scored three maximum and a boundary off Siraj in the 18th over. 

Notably, he had a pretty awful day with the ball; lending runs at 13 RPO in his four-over spell. After the end of the first innings, Smith’s fantasy points were -6, but his impactful knock with the bat levelled it as he finished the day with 30 points. 

These brilliant exploits help Odean Smith walk away with our ‘Superstar of the Match’ award.