Best partnership for RCB against CSK goes in vain as their bleak run in the UAE continues

A commanding 71-run stand partnership for the opening wicket between Ruturaj Gaikwad and Faf du Plessis propelled the Chennai Super Kings to a comprehensive six-wicket win against the Royal Challengers Bangalore in Sharjah.

The match was set up for CSK, courtesy of some sublime bowling by the experienced Dwayne Bravo in the death overs. The 37-year old brought years of his expertise in the shortest format of the game to the fore as he made optimum use of the variations in his arsenal to pick up vital wickets in the fag end of the innings. With three wickets for 24 runs, he broke the middle order of RCB and restricted them to 156 in the 20 overs.

Despite a strong foundation laid by Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal with the bat in the first innings, RCB posted a below-par score in the first innings. With the dew playing a major role and the ball coming onto the bat, the formidable batting unit of CSK produced a masterclass led by Ruturaj Gaikwad’s 38-run blitz to register a comfortable six-wicket win. Here are a few of the noteworthy stats from the game.

Openers get off to a flying start

Since Padikkal's debut for RCB, the duo of Padikkal and Kohli have done wonders for them, especially when they are opening the innings. In 16 innings together overall, they have forged 765 runs at an average of 51 with two century partnerships. Both of them were special ones in their own way. Though their 111-run partnership against CSK ended up in vain, it was the highest ever partnership for any wicket for RCB against CSK in IPL.

Stutter in the death overs leads to RCB’s lowest total after a 100-run stand

Despite a strong start by the opening pair, Bangalore lost a flurry of wickets that stemmed the final flourish in the back end of the innings. From 111 for no loss, RCB managed to score 156 for the loss of six wickets in their quota of 20 overs, losing the final six wickets for 45 runs. This is the third-lowest total posted by a team after a century partnership. Kolkata Knight Riders against the now-defunct Pune Warriors India in 2012 had posted just 150 after having a 113-run opening stand.

Gaikwad’s quick rise

After starting off with a duck and followed by a 5-run innings and again a duck, Gaikwad was one of the bright spots for CSK in their dismal campaign last season. On the back of a sensational record in UAE, the CSK opener’s aggressive approach saw them scoring 59 runs in the first six overs. Though he failed to capitalise on his start of 38, Gaikwad registered 500 IPL runs and he became the second quickest to achieve the feat among Indians. Gautam Gambhir achieved the feat in just 12 innings, the quickest among Indians. He along with Gambhir are the only two Indian batsmen to hit 500+ runs in their first 15 IPL innings. However, with six 50+ scores Gaikwad has bettered Gambhir.

Third occasion of openers scoring half-centuries in losing cause

In most of the cases when both the openers score 50+, hardly does the team lose a match. Today was one of those occasions where RCB lost after both Kohli (53) and Padikkal (70) scored one. The last time both RCB openers scored a 50+ and lost the game was against Sunrisers Hyderabad in the 2016 IPL Final. Apart from this, in 2013, against Punjab Kings in Mohali, Cheteshwar Pujara (51) and Chris Gayle (61) scored fifties and RCB lost the match. RCB have lost three matches when both openers have scored 50+. Only Punjab Kings have lost more times (5).

The dismal show in UAE continues for RCB

With 12 points in the first seven matches, RCB were the sure-shot contenders for a playoff spot. But, the shift in venue has brought them bad omen. It's not just the two matches in this season. In IPL 2020 as well, RCB were off to a spectacular start, but started to lose on a consistent basis. They lost five matches on the trot in UAE and adding the two from this season, their tally has risen to seven and things are looking bleak for the Kohli-led team.

MS Dhoni and Suresh Raina finishing things

“Thala '' and “Chinna Thala” finishing off a game for CSK, seems like the old times. One of the most successful duos of CSK are known for their finishing blows. In today’s game, though it was a short stay of 24 runs, Dhoni and Raina partnership remained not out in a chase for the fourth time in IPL. In the history of the league, only Dwayne Bravo-Ravindra Jadeja have managed to achieve these six times, including twice for the now-defunct Gujarat franchise.