IPL 2022 | RCB glide past CSK, as defending champions crash out of the tournament

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) successfully defended 173 runs, defeating the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by 13 runs to register their sixth win in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022.

On a pitch which had some assistance for spinners, Bangalore were off to a steady start as Faf du Plessis, and Virat Kohli hit eight boundaries between themselves to be at 51/0 in the first five overs. But in the next five overs, Bangalore endured a spin-inflicted slowdown, starting from Maheesh Theekshana conceding only six runs from the final over of the powerplay.

Moeen came back to produce a perfect off-spinners dismissal, inviting Kohli to go for an expansive drive but got one to turn in from outside off to hit the stumps. Bangalore's top three falling in quick succession meant they slipped from being 62/0 to 79/3 at the halfway mark.

Lomror and Rajat Patidar produced two fours and as many sixes over the leg-side of Ali and Theekshana for a valuable 44-run partnership off 32 balls before Dwaine Pretorius got the latter out with Mukesh Choudhary sprinting in to take a fine catch at deep square leg. Lomror continued to hit boundaries, with a sweep off Pretorius that went flat over deep mid-wicket being the standout. In the 19th over, Theekshana brought Chennai back into the match with three wickets.

But Dinesh Karthik ensured that RCB finished on a high with 16 off the final over of Pretorius, including two sixes over deep mid-wicket and long-on respectively, to take Bangalore's score past the 170-mark.

Chasing a tricky total, the four-time champions laid a good foundation with in-form Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devon Conway adding 54 runs for the first wicket. Just when it looked like the CSK openers were well set, Shahbaz Ahmed provided the first breakthrough after the powerplay in the form of Gaikwad.

In the following over, CSK's number 3 Robin Uthappa, too, was sent back to the pavilion by Glenn Maxwell for one run. However, it didn't dent Conway's confidence as he brought his second consecutive fifty of the tournament. But RCB managed to stage a comeback dismissing Ambati Rayudu and Conway in the span of a few overs to have the Chennai franchise at 109/4.

Conway's dismissal opened the flood gates as the Royal Challengers Bangalore chipped in with wickets at regular intervals. Harshal Patel and Josh Hazelwood did a spectacular job keeping the master finisher MS Dhoni at bay. As a result, they managed to secure a much-needed victory for RCB.

RCB's win helps them get back to winning ways after losing back to back games. With this win, RCB sits fourth on the points table with 12 points in 11 games behind Gujarat Titans (16 pts), Lucknow Super Giants (14 pts), and Rajasthan Royals (12 pts). RCB also have 12 points but have played more games than anyone with 11 matches, whereas CSK are still reeling at the ninth position with only 6 points in 10 games. 

Brief Scores 

Royal Challengers Bangalore: 173/8 (20)

Mahipal Lomror 42(27), Faf du Plessis 38(22) 

Maheesh Theekshana 3/27 (4), Moeen Ali 2/28 (4)

Chennai Super Kings: 160/8 (20)

Devon Conway 56(37), Moeen Ali 34(27) 

Harshal Patel 3/35 (4), Glenn Maxwell 2/22 (4) 

Royal Challengers Bangalore won by 13 runs