199/8 (20.0)
CR : 9.95
222/4 (20.0)
CR : 11.10
Royal Challengers Bengaluru won by 23 runs 🏆
Player of the Match
Venkatesh Iyer
73(40)*
Teams with most IPL playoff appearances:
12 - CSK
11 - MI, RCB*
8 - KKR
7 - SRH
6 - RR, DC
12 - CSK
11 - MI, RCB*
8 - KKR
7 - SRH
6 - RR, DC
7:35 PM IST, Local Time: Time for the post-match presentation...
Super Striker of the Match: Tim David (SR 233.33)
Most Sixes in the Match: Venkatesh Iyer (4 Maximums) [Shashank Singh too hit four sixes but Venkatesh scored more runs]
Most Fours in the Match: Venkatesh Iyer (8 Fours)
Most Dot Balls in the Match: Rasikh Salam Dar (12 Dots)
Jitesh Sharma (Royal Challengers Bengaluru Captain): "[It got tricky at any stage?] No, I think we were all in control. In batting and bowling, we were in control.
[Thoughts at the halfway mark?] We were not under pressure, we knew what we wanted to do with the ball because we had batted on this surface. Batters had given good feedback on what's working on this wicket. We planned differently for a particular batter and it paid off.
[On having Hazlewood and Bhuvi bowling in tandem] We have the privilege that they play for RCB. I have a lot of experienced guys to help me around, they have tons of experience and it is a great experience to play with those boys.
[On Rajat Patidar] My actual skipper is doing really well. He will be back in the next game. Our motto is very simple, one game at a time. We are not thinking too far ahead and just want to play good cricket."
[Thoughts at the halfway mark?] We were not under pressure, we knew what we wanted to do with the ball because we had batted on this surface. Batters had given good feedback on what's working on this wicket. We planned differently for a particular batter and it paid off.
[On having Hazlewood and Bhuvi bowling in tandem] We have the privilege that they play for RCB. I have a lot of experienced guys to help me around, they have tons of experience and it is a great experience to play with those boys.
[On Rajat Patidar] My actual skipper is doing really well. He will be back in the next game. Our motto is very simple, one game at a time. We are not thinking too far ahead and just want to play good cricket."
Player of the Match: Venkatesh Iyer
Venkatesh Iyer (POTM): "(On not getting much playing time this season) Yeah, technically it’s my second game where I’ve been part of the playing XI, and today’s the first time I properly got to bat. So that’s more pleasing than getting the POTM award — and also the two points. Really happy.
(On RCB management) They’ve welcomed me very well. Obviously, it’s a very professional setup and the cricket part of it, the management — it’s just unbelievable. All credit to Mo Bobat and Dinesh Karthik for the way they’ve taken care of the boys. It’s just unbelievable. And on top of that, the brand of cricket that RCB plays is something that excites me a lot. So yeah, I’ve spent a lot of time at KKR, so there will always be an emotional element, but I’ve really felt at home here.
(On being frustrated for lack of game time) Yeah, it would be wrong if I said I wasn’t frustrated or that I didn’t want to play. I really wanted to go out there and play because for players like us, IPL is the opportunity. We want to play, we want to do well. But I also understand — I’ve been around long enough to know that this is a champion team, and tinkering too much with the combination is not always right. But I always tried to create an impression on the coaching staff that if they picked me, I would deliver. I’m really happy that I got my opportunity.
(On his knock) I think, yeah, it was scratchy at the beginning, but I was lucky to be batting alongside Virat Kohli. Obviously, the mindset shift that he’s able to communicate to you is special. I think with all the legends of the game, one thing that stands out is communication. That’s the key, right? If you’re able to communicate well with your partner, because it’s two people out there scoring runs together for the team. So that made a difference.
(On biding time during the knock) Yeah, absolutely. I’ve been around, but I was playing after a long gap in the season. I actually needed those first few balls just to get into the groove. And once I understood the wicket and had the freedom to go after the bowling, then I think it became good for me.”
(On RCB management) They’ve welcomed me very well. Obviously, it’s a very professional setup and the cricket part of it, the management — it’s just unbelievable. All credit to Mo Bobat and Dinesh Karthik for the way they’ve taken care of the boys. It’s just unbelievable. And on top of that, the brand of cricket that RCB plays is something that excites me a lot. So yeah, I’ve spent a lot of time at KKR, so there will always be an emotional element, but I’ve really felt at home here.
(On being frustrated for lack of game time) Yeah, it would be wrong if I said I wasn’t frustrated or that I didn’t want to play. I really wanted to go out there and play because for players like us, IPL is the opportunity. We want to play, we want to do well. But I also understand — I’ve been around long enough to know that this is a champion team, and tinkering too much with the combination is not always right. But I always tried to create an impression on the coaching staff that if they picked me, I would deliver. I’m really happy that I got my opportunity.
(On his knock) I think, yeah, it was scratchy at the beginning, but I was lucky to be batting alongside Virat Kohli. Obviously, the mindset shift that he’s able to communicate to you is special. I think with all the legends of the game, one thing that stands out is communication. That’s the key, right? If you’re able to communicate well with your partner, because it’s two people out there scoring runs together for the team. So that made a difference.
(On biding time during the knock) Yeah, absolutely. I’ve been around, but I was playing after a long gap in the season. I actually needed those first few balls just to get into the groove. And once I understood the wicket and had the freedom to go after the bowling, then I think it became good for me.”
So, after 61 matches into the 19th season, we have our first team confirm a spot in the playoffs, and it's none other than the defending champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru. They are at the top of the points table, with 18 points from 13 games, with a good net run rate. It will be tough for the other teams to dethrone them from the pole position. Their last game is against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
For Punjab Kings, they have only themselves to blame. They have lost six games in a row and are hanging on to the fourth spot, but that could change quickly: they have only one game left this season, while multiple teams below them are waiting to move up. One of them is playing tonight in Delhi. Switch tabs to enjoy DC vs RR.
For now, this is me, AkshayaKrishna Polya, signing off on behalf of my co-commentators, Ajay Pal Singh and Mohammad Anab, scorers Manish Bishnoi and Paras Yadav and statistician Aman. We will meet again. Until then, it is cheers!
For Punjab Kings, they have only themselves to blame. They have lost six games in a row and are hanging on to the fourth spot, but that could change quickly: they have only one game left this season, while multiple teams below them are waiting to move up. One of them is playing tonight in Delhi. Switch tabs to enjoy DC vs RR.
For now, this is me, AkshayaKrishna Polya, signing off on behalf of my co-commentators, Ajay Pal Singh and Mohammad Anab, scorers Manish Bishnoi and Paras Yadav and statistician Aman. We will meet again. Until then, it is cheers!