IPL 2018: Match 8, RCB vs KXIP- Who Said What

The Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore hosted its first game of the season and the crowd was treated to an absolute delight as Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and the Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) locked horns. Punjab tried their hearts out, but the Challengers eventually managed to open their account in the eleventh edition of the IPL. Having won the toss, skipper Virat Kohli had no doubts electing to field first.

Umesh Yadav clinches the ascendancy from Punjab

KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal opened for the Kings. They employed the same approach, which they resorted to during their previous encounter and it paid dividends for them from the outset. The duo raced away and took the bowlers by the scruff of their necks. However, Umesh Yadav nipped out Agarwal, Aaron Finch and Yuvraj Singh in the fifth over, and it set the cat amongst the pigeons in the Punjab dugout.

Thereafter, Rahul and Karun Nair, the two who had scored half-centuries in the previous match, injected momentum into the innings. They were dismissed eventually in quick succession by Washington Sundar and Kulwant Khejroliya respectively. Ravichandran Ashwin added some crucial runs, but Punjab couldn’t survive and were bowled out for 155.

RCB huff and puff to glory

During RCBs run chase, Punjab bowlers started exceptionally and dismissed Brendon McCullum for a golden duck. Virat Kohli threatened to take the game away, but a wrong’un from Mujeeb Ur Rahman cannoned into the stumps. Quinton de Kock and AB de Villiers put their heads down and carved a priceless half-century stand which steadfastly turned the game in RCBs favour.

However, Ashwin got rid of de Kock and Sarfaraz Khan on consecutive balls and brought Punjab back into contention.  AB de Villiers soon got the measure of the bowling and brought the home team to the brink of victory. He lost his wicket in the penultimate over, which gave Punjab another sniff, but Washington Sundar showed nerves of steel and guided RCB to victory.

Here is what, Ravichandran Ashwin, the captain of Kings XI Punjab said

“(On the result) I am really proud of the way the boys fought. Always thought we had our backs against the wall because we were about 20-30 short. Still we fought hard and I am proud of the guys. (If the toss is crucial this season) Cannot always depend on the tosses, tournaments are won on good performances. (Whether the RCB top order is intimidating)

Not that intimidating to be honest, pressure is on them actually due to their reputations. I thought our boys did well by putting in a good effort. (On captaincy) It’s good so far, I am really enjoying it. Cannot ask for anything better from the boys. (If KXIP are spin-heavy) I think the best bowlers are still going to be the best ones. This wicket wasn’t exactly great for spin bowling with the dew around but we showed them what we are capable of. At the end of the day, good bowlers are still good bowlers.”

Here is what Virat Kohli, the captain of Royal Challengers Bangalore said

“Very happy. First home game is crucial. Last year, we couldn’t get off to a start. Crowd has a lot of expectations, and tonight was a game we wanted badly, especially in the initial stages of the tournament. We knew new ball will come on nicely, and the batsmen hit some good shots. Umesh bowled well; getting three wickets in an over is great. Our mindset is – we want our best bowlers to step up and get confident early on.

When only five are playing, you have to hit your areas well. They have done well. I think 170 would have been par. (The pitch is) Slightly better than the last year but against the older ball, middle overs can be difficult. We have lost two wickets in two balls in the last two games, so we have to work on them. Maybe stitch a little partnership. Back to back wickets pushes you back in the eight ball.”

Umesh Yadav- The Player of the Match said

“I was backing myself and my strengths, bowling quick at the stumps. Whatever you want, you do it is what Kohli and the coach tells. They want me to bowl with pace and attack the stumps, and not worry about the variations. This pitch was slow; Kolkata pitch was quick, where the back of a length ball was kicking. If you bowl on a length here then the ball was skidding and that helped me. I think I enjoyed Yuvraj Singh’s wicket the most.”