IPL 2017, Match 17, RCB v RPS: CT Player of the Match – Shardul Thakur

Shardul Thakur’s 3/35 helped Rising Pune Supergiant (RPS) to win a tight game against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) to end their string of 3 successive defeats. They successfully defended the lowest ever total at M. Chinnaswamy for a visiting team, beating KKR’s record of 165 set a few years ago.

Thakur is a work-horse in domestic cricket in which he represents Mumbai. The fast bowler has picked 169 wickets in 49 matches over the last five seasons but was playing just his 3rd IPL game. RPS got to 161 courtesy a belligerent 11-ball 27 by Manoj Tiwary but still looked like a few runs short against a powerful RCB batting line-up that too at their home ground. But Shardul Thakur and the rest of the bowlers bowled tightly to strangle RCB in the middle overs to earn a 27-run win which took them to the 6th position in the points table.

Eventful start by Thakur

Handed with the new ball, Thakur started his spell up against Virat Kohli. He did not have the best of starts as he had Kohli dropped twice – first by his own, in a difficult return catch which sped to the boundary, and then at slip by Manoj Tiwary off the next ball, which was a pretty straight forward chance at this level. The 25-year old did not lose heart and bowled a similar delivery to the other RCB opener Mandeep Singh, which was taken by the keeper Dhoni to give RPS the early wicket they were after.

The last ball of the over was smashed by the new man AB De Villiers for a classy boundary behind point to cap a very unusual over. He could have had Kohli twice, sent Mandeep back yet he went for 11 runs in the over. He got the ball to swing, which was a delight to watch. In his second over he almost had Kohli again when the ball agonizingly escaped the hands of the diving Stokes at Gully. Thakur was hit for another four off the last ball by Kohli, this time off the middle of the bat. His first spell of 2 overs for 1/21 did not give a good reading but it was much better than that.

Strong comeback, which led to RPS’ comeback

Imran Tahir and Daniel Christian bowled beautifully in the middle to contain the run-scoring. Soon after Tahir finished his spell, Thakur was brought back by Smith for a second spell. This was a big moment in the game as the inexperience of Thakur could have spoilt the good work done by the bowlers. The Mumbaikar rose to the challenge and bowled with a lot of heart to hold back Watson and Jadhav: two big strikers, as he mixed it up smartly and gave away just 4 runs in the 14th over. The equation at the end of the over was 75 off 36 balls and RPS slowly started believing.

Thakur’s four overs were scattered across 3 spells and the Mumbaikar was given the responsibility of bowling the 18th over. RCB needed 47 off the last 3 and Binny was looking dangerous. RPS had fought brilliantly up till this point but needed a knockout punch to get past a strong RCB side which was provided by Thakur.

Pawan Negi took 8 runs off the first two balls, which included a six over long off, to keep RCB in the hunt. Thakur smartly outfoxed Negi by bowling a slower ball which the latter skied for Tripathi to take a good catch. RCB’s hopes rested on Binny after Negi’s exit but Thakur cleaned him up on the last ball of his spell to end any hopes of an RCB revival.

His twin strikes in the 18th over were crucial and eventually won RPS the game. He, hence, is the CT Player of the Match with a 4 out of 5 rating.