Virat Kholi and Faf du Plessis. © iplt20.com
The M Chinnaswamy Stadium witnessed a thrilling encounter between the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and the Gujarat Titans (GT) in IPL 2024, match number 52. This match was a real rollercoaster, with both teams having their moments, but ultimately, RCB emerged victorious by four wickets.
RCB captain Faf du Plessis, winning the toss, chose to bowl first. This decision proved to be a masterstroke. The Bengaluru bowlers, led by the fiery Mohammed Siraj and the young spinner Yash Dayal, took full advantage of a pitch that had seen some rain the previous night. They swung the ball both ways, making life difficult for the GT batters. Openers Wriddhiman Saha and Shubman Gill fell cheaply, and Gujarat could only manage a paltry 23 runs in the powerplay – their worst-ever score in that phase! The likes of Shahrukh Khan, David Miller, and Rahul Tewatia tried their best to revive the innings, but RCB’s seamers, with some help from short-ball tactics, restricted them to a manageable total of 147.
Du Plessis and Kohli on Fire
Chasing a modest target, RCB got off to a flying start thanks to their explosive opening pair – Faf du Plessis and Virat Kohli. Du Plessis, in particular, was on fire! He smashed a breathtaking half-century (50 runs off 18 balls) – the fastest fifty of IPL 2024 so far! Together, they put RCB in a commanding position, scoring 92 on the board after the powerplay, surpassing their previous best.
Drama Strikes!
Just when it seemed like RCB’s chase was going smoothly, disaster struck! After both openers were dismissed, RCB’s middle order completely collapsed, losing six wickets for a mere 25 runs. This dramatic turn of events gave Gujarat a fighting chance, with bowler Josh Little picking up key wickets.
Karthik and Swapnil Save the Day
With the match hanging in the balance, the experienced Dinesh Karthik stepped up for RCB. He played a mature and composed innings, guiding his team towards victory with some crucial boundaries. Karthik was ably supported by the young Swapnil Singh, who also chipped in with valuable runs. Together, they ensured RCB crossed the finish line with a few wickets and plenty of overs to spare.
Takeaways from the Match
- RCB’s bowlers, especially Siraj and Dayal, were exceptional early on, restricting GT to a below-par total.
- Faf du Plessis’ blistering knock at the start of the chase gave RCB a massive advantage.
- Dinesh Karthik’s experience proved crucial in guiding RCB home after a middle-order collapse.
This win keeps RCB’s playoff hopes alive, while Gujarat Titans must regroup and come back stronger in their upcoming matches. It was a nail-biting encounter that kept everyone on the edge of their seats and a perfect example of why cricket is such a beloved sport!
Match Summary
Gujarat Titans 147 (20) | |
| Shahrukh Khan 37 (24) | Yash Dayal |
| Rahul Tewatia 35 (21) | Vyshak Vijay Kumar |
| David Miller 30 (20) | Mohammed Siraj |
Royal Challengers Bengaluru 152/6 (13.4) | |
| Faf du Plessis 64 (23) | Joshua Little |
| Virat Kholi 42 (27) | Noor Ahmad |
| Dinesh Karthik 21* (12) | Rashid Khan |
Toss: RCB won the toss and decided to bowl
Stadium: M. Chinnaswamy Stadium
Result: RCB won by 4 wickets and 38 balls left
Player of the Match: Mohammad Siraj (RCB) – 2/29 (4)
