Fans chant ‘RCB-RCB’ during India’s third T20I against South Africa in Bengaluru

India and Virat Kohli didn’t have the greatest of days during India’s third T20I versus South Africa at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore. It was a golden chance for the Men in Blue to defeat the Proteas for the maiden time in a T20I series at home. However, that wasn’t the case as the visitors won in a canter by nine wickets with 19 balls to spare, and also levelled the three-match series.

It was India’s second defeat in the format at the venue in 2019 after the one against Australia in March, where Glenn Maxwell’s century blew them away. Both times India had to bat first. This time around, Kohli won the toss and elected to defend a total, a decision that raised quite a few eyebrows. The move worked for around seven overs when India went at a run-rate of around nine.

It was after Shikhar Dhawan’s wicket that India completely lost the momentum. They could only manage 71 runs in the next 76 balls, losing eight wickets. Captain Kohli, who churned out an unbeaten 72 at the PCA Stadium in Mohali, couldn’t weave his magic. He unsuccessfully tried to whip Kagiso Rabada, only to be caught at the deep mid-wicket boundary by Andile Phehlukwayo.

Quinton de Kock thwarts Team India

Thereafter, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja got into double figures, but none could make an impact great enough to propel India’s score. The hosts put a lid on the run-scoring to start with. But once, Quinton de Kock, the opposition captain, got his eyes in, there was no stopping South Africa. The southpaw went on to notch 79 off 52 balls with the help of six fours and five sixes.

It was also De Kock’s maiden win as the captain of the Proteas after three defeats. In the meantime, amidst the action on the field, the crowd surprisingly chanted ‘RCB-RCB’. The M Chinnaswamy Stadium is the homeground of the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) where Kohli is the skipper.

Kohli has been the skipper of the franchise for quite some now, but he hasn’t been able to win the trophy for the Challengers thus far. It took place during India’s innings just before Washington Sundar, who’s also a part of the RCB, guided one down to the boundary through third man.

Here is the video

Crowd Chanting RCB🔥 RCB🔥
Chinnaswamy Stadium💥🧡#INDvSA pic.twitter.com/N1tdwvOOTx

— Troll Who Trolls Virat (@TWTVOfficial_) September 22, 2019