IPL 9 Match 4: RCB v SRH – 5 Talking Points

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) registered a magnificent victory 45 runs win over Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at their home ground Chinnaswamy stadium. David Warner’s decision to put the Virat Kohli-led side to bat first proved to be fatal. Strong batting performances by Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers along with a blazing cameo by Sarfraz Khan saw RCB post a massive 227/4 in the first innings. Chasing 228 to win, SRH lost Dhawan cheaply but skipper David Warner fought back aggressively and played a wonderful knock to keep SRH on the course of chasing the target. But, unfortunately, Warner lost his wicket during the halfway stage of the 2nd innings and the team then lost their track letting RCB take advantage and eventually win the game by 45 runs.

1. Gayle threat neutralized:

There was a lot of anticipation when Chris Gayle visited the venue last time to play against Sri Lanka. But unfortunately, his chance to bat never arrived, dejecting many fans. So, naturally the RCB fans were expecting the famous Gayle storm at the venue when he was supposed to turn up again at his hometown once again, this time donning the RCB jersey. Unluckily for the fans, the giant left hander failed to score big after coming in to open the innings. Gayle could survive only 4 balls before he was cleaned bowled from behind by Bhuvneshwar Kumar for a meager single run.

2. The Virat-AB de Villiers Show:

After the early wicket of Chris Gayle, everyone expected an even contest between the bat and ball. However, Virat Kohli, who is in red-hot form, and South Africa batting wizard AB de Villiers ripped through the SRH bowling attack. The duo knocked out the SRH team off their feets after they put on a destructive 157 run stand in just 14.3 overs. It was total carnage when this dynamic pair was at the crease. While Kohli batted with his natural aggressive flair, AB de Villiers was in a total attacking mode. The former reached his half-century in 40 deliveries while the latter smacked it in just 216 balls. The partnership could only be broken in the 16th over when Kohli (75 from 51 balls) lost his wicket to Bhuvneshwar Kumar.

3. Sarfraz Khan explodes:

Sarfraz Khan, nicknamed as the pocket-sized dynamite, mesmerized everyone with his short explosive cameo. All RCB was expecting was a crackling cameo after Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers and Shane Watson departed. Bhuvneshwar, with his yorkers and Mustafizur, with his slow cutters, had gained a bit of control in the death overs. However, little Sarfraz calmly walked in and gave a perfect ending to the RCB innings. Khan hit a blazing 35 run knock laced with 2 sixes and 5 fours in just 10 balls. His breathtaking cameo, in which he smashed 22 runs off Bhuvi and 12 run off Mustafizur’s bowling as the RCB team total ballooned to 227/4 at the end of 20 overs

4. Skipper Warner’s reply:

With a humongous target staring at their faces, the SRH side badly needed Shikhar Dhawan and David Warner to fire if they wanted to fancy any chance to chasing the huge target. Warner began well by helping his team reach 35 runs in the first three overs. But, unfortunately, for Dhawan, his bad run continued as he was clean bowled by off-spinner Parvez Rasool for just 8 runs off 9 balls. Warner, however, launched a solo attack and took RCB apart effortlessly. The ball kept sailing for fours and sixes during his time at the crease, helping the SRH side keep the run rate slightly under their control. Warner (58 from 25 balls) went on to complete his half-century in just 21 balls but could not survive for long as he was dismissed in the 9th over just four balls after completing his half-century.

5. SRH lose track:

The SRH batting order looked toothless as they slumped to 101/5 from 86/2 after Warner’s departure. The SRH team lost three wickets in three successive overs. Leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal (2/43) made a good comeback by snapping up the wickets of Naman Ojha (10th over) and Deepak Hooda (12th overs) in back to back overs of his spell. In between the fall of both the wickets, Kiwi fast bowler also chipped in with the wicket of Moises Henriques in the 11th over. Ashish Reddy and Eoin Morgan battled for a brief period of time, putting on a 46 run stand before Reddy departed in the 16th over. The run-rate had by then crept up to a highly difficult level and the target looked impossible to chase. SRH could eventually manage 182/6 after 20 overs.