IPL 2020: RCB vs CSK Review – Gaikwad fifty, Curran 3-fer brush aside RCB
After losing three consecutive matches, the Chennai Super Kings finally managed to win a match in IPL 2020. They defeated the Royal Challengers Bangalore comfortably by eight wickets in Dubai. After opting to bat first, RCB lost their openers relatively early and at 46/2, Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers joined hands to stitch a partnership.
CSK’s spinners bowled really well on a slow pitch and kept the two superstar batsmen quiet in the middle. However, Kohli and De Villiers added 82 runs for the third wicket and looked set for the final assault only to get out at the wrong time. While the latter scored 39 runs, the skipper smashed another fifty. RCB never got the final push in the death overs as they finished only with 145/6 in their 20 overs.
The chase was supposed to be a bit tough for CSK but Ruturaj Gaikwad had other ideas. He batted superbly at the top of the order and took the pressure off the other batsmen. Faf du Plessis smacked a quickfire 25 upfront to give the team a good start. Ambati Rayudu also played his shots and added 67 runs with Ruturaj to make the result of the game only a mere formality.
Gaikwad made sure he remained unbeaten on 65 while MS Dhoni also had a decent hit in the middle scoring 19* as CSK reached home in the 19th over of the innings.
Turning Points
AB de Villiers’ wicket: After losing only two wickets in the first 15 overs, RCB were gearing up to finish with a strong total on the board. Both AB and Kohli started accordingly as well, scoring 13 runs off Monu Kumar’s 16th over. But Deepak Chahar made sure he didn’t succumb under pressure and got the better of De Villiers with one of his slower deliveries in the 18th over. The blow led to RCB never getting the final push and they finished on an under-par score.
Top performers
Records/Personal Milestones
- Virat Kohli completed 200 IPL sixes
- Ruturaj Gaikwad is the youngest Indian to score an IPL fifty for CSK since the start of 2011
Way Ahead
RCB next face the table-toppers Mumbai Indians on Wednesday while CSK lock horns against the KKR the following day.