IPL 2023 | Du Plessis-Maxwell's Effort in Vain as CSK Held Nerves to Clinch Cliffhanger
CSK won the game by 8 runs [iplt20.com]
In what was yet another fascinating game of cricket in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023, the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) held their nerves to win the match against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) by 8-runs at the Chinnaswamy Stadium.
The game went right down to the wire, but CSK bowlers were brilliant in the slog overs and helped the tides turn in their favour.
CSK batters hammer RCB bowlers
On a wicket destined for runs, CSK batters had a clear plan and they executed it to perfection. The stage was set for Mohammed Siraj as he started his spell with the big wicket of Ruturaj Gaikwad, but that was the last laugh RCB had for a while.
The new found aggression in Ajinkya Rahane combined with the flair of Devon Conway made a mockery of the RCB attack. The smaller boundaries on the square didn't help the home team's cause either as both the batters targeted the shorter regions and took the attack to the opposition.
Surprisingly, Rahane was the aggressor early in the partnership as Conway took a back-seat. But after nullifying the attack, the Kiwi batter joined the party as the boundary floodgates opened. One can imagine the condition of the bowlers as a total of 17 sixes were struck in the CSK innings.
Once Rahane departed for a quick-fire 37, Shivam Dube arrived at the crease and he never let the momentum slip away and scored a 25-ball fifty. The southpaw struck some glorious hits, but two of them were at 111m and 101m.
Conway on the other hand chipped in with crucial boundaries of his own, and notched up yet another fifty in the IPL. However, close to a three-figure mark, Harshal Patel foxed him with a slower one as the batter's stumps were knocked over.
Dube also departed after bringing up his fifty and the finishing touches were provided by Ambati Rayudu, and Moeen Ali, as they continued the good work and hammered the RCB bowlers in the slog overs to help their side post a mammoth 226 for 6.
RCB falter despite Maxwell and Faf's brilliance
RCB needed a solid foundation to achieve this target, but the opposite happened as the man in-form, Virat Kohli was dismissed in the first over by CSK's impact player, Akash Singh.
Mahipal Lomror followed him soon, as things turned from bad to worse for the home side.
But this is where the game completely turned as Faf du Plessis and Glenn Maxwell found a new energy and gave CSK bowlers a taste of their own medicine. The duo combined hit 12 sixes as there were some nervy faces in the CSK dugout. MSD brought in the spin duo of Ravindra Jadeja and Maheesh Theekshana, but that had little to no effect as the two players cleared the ropes with utmost ease.
The required rate which started at well over 11, was brought down under 10 runs per over, but just when the party started in the RCB camp, CSK struck with quick wickets of Maxwell (76 off 36) and Faf du Plessis (62 off 33) to open up the match once again.
Dinesh Karthik, who has underperformed in this tournament, came to life and gave RCB a great chance with a quick-fire 14-ball 28.
The equation was brought down to 31 in the last 2 overs, but that was a bit too much for the RCB tail-enders as they faltered in the chase and eventually lost the match.
Brief Score
CSK: 226-6 (20)
Devon Conway 83 (45), Shivam Dubey 52 (27);
Mohammed Siraj 1-30 (4), Wanindu Hasaranga 1-21 (2)
RCB: 218-8 (20)
Glenn Maxwell 76 (36), Faf du Plessis 62 (33);
Tushar Deshpande 3-45 (4), Moeen Ali 1-13 (1)
 "Anurag Dasgupta")
