NEWS
Follow UsAt the halfway mark, Rajasthan Royals would probably have been the happier of the two sides. They had managed to contain the Royal Challengers Bangalore batters by conceding just 27 runs at the death.
But, RCB's bowlers managed to hold their fort by tying Rajasthan down in the middle overs. They ended up winning the game by 7 runs.
Virat Kohli, RCB's stand-in skipper, couldn't be happier about the result.
"To be honest, we had this discussion during toss. The pitch looked dry and I mentioned to the guys that they will have 10 overs under lights which is very difficult out here. The advantage was the ball got scuffed up. However, with the impact player rule and the extra batter, games are always on," Virat said.
After losing two early wickets, RCB seemed to be in all sorts of trouble. Glenn Maxwell and Faf du Plessis, yet again, performed the rescue act and took them to safer shores.
"The counter-attack from Maxi and Faf was even better than the Chennai game, it was a better surface that day. Maxi took the game away in just four overs. We thought 160 might be enough but the way they batted helped us to 190. Siraj has been phenomenal, he's got Buttler out in the past and he's bowling as well as I've ever seen. Running in with the new ball, he shows that intent and the confidence, he has the Purple Cap and for good reason."
Harshal always bowls the tough overs. He's closed out games before and did the same today as well. So, massive credit to the way he has performed. We trust him to deliver at the death."
The absence of Josh Hazlewood has hurt their bowling in several games. His return will help them maximize their bowling powerplay even more.
"Siraj is leading the attack and hopefully Josh comes in next game. Whenever Hazlewood comes in, we might look like a different attack," he added.
Sanju Samson, the losing skipper, felt that they were in the game till the last over.
"I think that at this ground, 10, 12, 13 RPO is chaseable. It was just about momentum and hitting a few more sixes. Normally, Hettie does it but today Jurel was hitting it well. It was just about one shot here and there," Sanju said.
"It depends on who is bowling and what the situation is and whether we are chasing and setting a target. I think Ashwin with his experience and what he has done in the last couple of games has delivered. That's what the planning was.
"I think with the IPL games, the winning and losing is done with very small margins so we have to keep checking our routines," he added while talking in the post match presentation.
RCB stay at home to face the visiting Kolkata Knight Riders. RR head back home to face a well-oiled Chennai Super Kings, in what will be a top-of-the-table clash.
