Rawat puts forward his case to succeed DK

For a while, it looked like a classical RCB (Royal Challengers Bengaluru) batting fiasco against Chennai Super Kings. Their average of 21.9 against CSK is the lowest against all opponents. The number is the same in Chepauk.

After getting off to a flier at the back of Faf du Plessis, they had slumped from 41/0 in four overs to 42/3 in the subsequent nine deliveries. Later, after another two-wicket over from Mustafizur Rahman, they were 79/5 in 12 overs with their top five back in the hut. 

Anuj Rawat averaged 30.3 last year at a strike rate of 128.2 last IPL. Dinesh Karthik’s numbers were worse - average 11.7, strike rate 134.6. These are not good enough numbers to instill faith in the hearts of fans, especially those with the knowledge that RCB haven’t beaten Chennai at Chepauk since 2008. 

However, the duo had things under control. They added 95 off 50 balls - the highest sixth-wicket partnership at Chepauk. 

Everything was against this pair. There was the run rate pressure as only two boundaries had been hit in the six overs post powerplay. Another wicket would have brought Karn Sharma (average of 13.9 in 37 innings) or Mayank Dagar (never batted in IPL before) to the crease. 

They scored only 14 runs in the first three overs of their stand and it felt RCB’s innings would go nowhere. In the last five, however, they pummelled 71 runs, taking advantage of CSK’s middling pace attack. 

The 18th over was when they opened the gates for the team, taking 25 runs from Tushar Deshpande’s over. Karthik started with a six but Rawat soon took the baton, cracking 16 off the last four balls, including two sixes and a four. The first six was deposited deep over the mid-wicket fence. Another four and a six followed in the next over as the duo took 50 runs in the last three overs. 

Overall, Rawat scored 48 off 25 balls before being run out on the final delivery. It is only his second 40+ score in the IPL. And only his second knock at a strike rate above 190 (min. 10 runs). The youngster was the senior contributor in the stand. 

Karthik, meanwhile, played his role, scoring an unbeaten 38 off 26. His last 30-plus score in IPL came in 2022 so this knock kicks off his final IPL season on a positive note. 

The partnership also underlined a pattern. Rawat could be the next wicketkeeper in line with Karthik set to hang his boots after the season. In this cycle, Rawat has been the most constant appearance for RCB among their pool of domestic uncapped batters. 

Hence, even with the mega-auction in place next year, RCB would want Rawat back in their squad, to perform the same role that Karthik has done for them 2022 onwards - a wicketkeeper-cum-finisher. 

The stats justify that role for this left-hander. In 10 innings in the top order, he averages 14.4 at a strike rate of 108.8. In 7 innings at five or below, he has 124 runs at an average and strike rate of 41.3 and 151.2 respectively. 

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