IPL 2021: RCB vs CSK Review – Chennai edge closer to playoffs by beating Bangalore

Chennai Super Kings continued their superb form in the IPL 2021 winning their seventh game of the tournament. RCB flattered after a good start and lost momentum. They made 156 runs which were, in the end, chased down quite easily. CSK won this match by six wickets and 11 balls to spare.

MS Dhoni won the toss and elected to bowl first. At the time, it might have seemed like a wrong decision but on hindsight, it seems just another day at the office when MS Dhoni proved everyone wrong with his choice. Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal got RCB to a great start, scoring runs quite quickly.

The two put together a brilliant century run partnership which laid a foundation for a fantastic finish. When Kohli fell for 53 runs after 13.2 overs, the score was 111 for 1. AB de Villiers came in at no. 3 but RCB failed to push on and lost regular wickets. CSK tightened the screws with some brilliant bowling. Devdutt Paddikal was eventually dismissed for 70.

Dwayne Bravo picked up three wickets by giving only 24 runs in four overs while Shardul Thakur got 2 for 29 in his four-over spell. With no real contribution at the death, RCB finished on 156 for 6. They were a little short of a proper target on this wicket and CSK’s openers proved that instantly.

The opening stand of 71 runs gave a brilliant start. Ruturaj Gaikwad fell for 38 while Faf du Plessis made 31. After the two were dismissed around the same time, Moeen Ali played a hand of 23 runs while Ambati Rayudu made 32 runs. Suresh Raina and Dhoni finished the game with their cameos of 17 and 11 respectively.

Top performers:

Devdutt Padikkal: The left-handed batter played an important hand but just couldn’t help RCB finish on a high. His performance laid a good foundation and as the game progressed, it became a little difficult to hit and score. He made 70 runs from 50 balls, hitting five fours and three sixes. He has been a youngster on the rise and his development continues.

Dwayne Bravo: The West Indian seems to be improving with every match and has been ageing like a fine wine. He executed his yorkers, slower balls and length balls properly and took important wickets at important times. He got Kohli out, then returned to pick up Maxwell as well. He also picked another wicket and ended conceding only 24 runs in his four overs, on a pitch which was helping the batters.

Personal records/achievements:

• This was the 7th consecutive loss in UAE for RCB, a streak which started in the IPL 2020.
• Virat Kohli made his 46th score of 50+ in the IPL equalling with Shikhar Dhawan. The only player who has more fifties than these two is David Warner, who has 54 scores above 50.

Way ahead:

Chennai will now play Kolkata on September 26 while Bangalore will face Mumbai on the same day.