RCB record their second-highest sixth-wicket stand to overshadow Buttler's special hundred

Lower-order resurgence from the Boys in Red

Over the years, Royal Challengers Bangalore have been a top-order heavy batting unit. However, things are slightly different this time around as they have found an ideal finisher in Dinesh Karthik to guide them over the line in the pressure situation. 

Coming into bat at number seven with the team tottering at 87 for the loss of five wickets in pursuit of 170, Karthik took the attack to the opposition bowling unit and stitched a 67-run stand for the sixth wicket partnership with Shahbaz Ahmed to help the team inch closer to the finish line.

En route partnership, the 36-year old scored a destructive 44 off 23 deliveries, studded with seven fours and one massive six to register the highest score for him batting at number seven. His previous best of 26 was against Chennai Super Kings last season in Abu Dhabi. 

The southpaw too contributed with 45 off 26 deliveries to ensure the Challengers record their second-highest sixth-wicket stand in the extravaganza.

In a league match against Mumbai Indians, Chris Gayle and Arun Karthik smashed 76 runs for the sixth wicket at the Chinnaswamy stadium to get over the line. 

Buttler scripts history 

One of the most destructive players in the shortest format of the game, Jos Buttler etched his name in the record books to become the first England player to smash 100 sixes in the IPL. 

The 31-year old laid the foundation for the Royals by scoring a blistering 70 off 47 deliveries with six hits over the fence. It helped the team score 169 runs in the first innings. With 104 sixes, he is on top of the table, followed by his England skipper Eoin Morgan with 64 maximums. 

While he cleared the boundary ropes with ease, one of the talking points en route innings was no fours in the 70-run knock, making it the highest individual score without a four in the IPL. Plying his trade for the Mumbai Indians, Nitish Rana scored an unbeaten 62 off 34 balls against the Punjab Kings, which is the second-highest. 

Samson vs Hasaranga: A lopsided battle in favor of the leggie

The skipper of the Rajasthan Royals, Sanju Samson, has been in sublime form this season and shouldered the bulk of the responsibility of the side to ensure they register two comprehensive wins early in the campaign. 

While he has taken the attack to the opposition bowling unit, the right-handed batter was up against his biggest nemesis in Wanindu Hasaranga.

With all eyes on the right-handed batter after the twin blows, Samson endured a soft dismissal as he was caught and bowled by the leg spinner for 8 runs. 

In the 15 balls he has faced against Hasaranga thus far in T20s, he has been dismissed on four occasions and scored 8 runs at an average of two, the lowest for him against any bowler.