Match 52 of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2024) witnessed hosts Royal Challengers Bengaluru keep their playoff hopes alive as they beat Gujarat Titans by 4 wickets after a clinical bowling performance at the M Chinnaswamy on May 4.
RCB Bowlers Restrict GT To 147
In the opening innings, Gujarat Titans’ top-order batsmen Shubman Gill and Wriddhiman Saha fell early, managing just 3 runs collectively during the powerplay, thanks to an exceptional display by Mohd Siraj.
Following their dismissals, Sai Sudharshan, who has been in good form for Gujarat, also departed cheaply before the sixth over. However, David Miller and Shahrukh Khan forged a partnership worth 61 runs, contributing significantly to the team’s total.
After Shahrukh Khan was run out brilliantly by Virat Kohli, the responsibility to add runs to the scoreboard fell on Rahul Tewatia and Rashid Khan. Despite Rashid Khan’s brief cameo of 18 runs, it was Vijay Shankar (10) who provided support to Tewatia’s gritty innings of 35 runs.
Ultimately, the Gujarat Titans managed to post a total of 147 runs in their allotted 20 overs, with Tewatia’s contribution being pivotal as they sought redemption against their opponents in this match.
RCB Keep The Dream Alive
In reply, RCB openers Faf du Plessis and Virat Kohli wanted to get a fast start to reach the easy total as quickly as possible on the night. Skipper Faf du Plessis started his power hitting which left the GT bowlers gasping for air in the powerplay. His fiery 64 runs got RCB the state they needed.
With Virat Kohli scoring at a steady run-rate from the other end, things looked quite comfortable for them. However, it was GT pacer Joshua Little who ended up with spectacular figures of 4/45 which stopped the RCB train on the night.
With the score at 111/5, it was looking like Virat Kohli and Dinesh Karthik would take the team over the finish line. But another wicket by Afghan spinner Noor Ahmed saw RCB star batter Virat sent back to the pavilion.
With the fans getting nervy in the end, Dinesh Karthik saw out the victory which took a little longer than the hosts would’ve expected.
