Despite Virat Kohli's remarkable performance, the Royal Challengers Bangalore could not secure a victory and consequently exited the IPL 2023 following a defeat to the Gujarat Titans at their home ground on Sunday (May 22). The match experienced multiple delays due to persistent rain and a hailstorm in Bangalore. However, after a brief interruption, RCB only needed a win to surpass the Mumbai Indians in the standings, considering their superior net run rate. Unfortunately, RCB lost the toss and were instructed to bat first. With Virat Kohli's outstanding display, scoring his record-breaking seventh IPL hundred, they managed to reach 197-5. Despite their efforts, it was insufficient as Shubman Gill guided Gujarat to victory in the final, eliminating RCB from the tournament.
Faf and Kohli begin their round of golf once more
Following a calm beginning, thanks to Yash Dayal and Mohammed Shami's precise bowling, Faf du Plessis aggressively confronted Shami, who currently holds the purple cap, by hitting him for four consecutive fours in his second over. Virat Kohli followed suit in the subsequent over, punishing Yash Dayal with a trio of boundaries. Even with the formidable spinners joining the game during the powerplay, the opening batsmen showed no mercy. They dominated the situation by scoring an impressive 62 runs without losing wickets in the first six overs.
Afghani demolition work
In this IPL match, a familiar pattern emerged once again. Despite a strong start in the powerplay with aggressive batting, Faf du Plessis fell victim to Noor Ahmad's delivery and was caught at slip, resulting in the first breakthrough. Shortly after, Rashid Khan dismissed Maxwell, and Lomror was stumped by Noor, causing a rapid decline in the team's score from 67-0 to 85-3. Nevertheless, Virat Kohli continued to bat, and with the entrance of Michael Bracewell, the team's focus shifted to minimising the damage and maintaining a steady scoring rate.
The rescue operation and, again, another blip
Michael Bracewell found his rhythm, and Virat Kohli continued his unbeaten streak, a significant advantage for RCB. Together, they scored 47 runs in 29 balls, successfully guiding RCB back on track. Despite facing some challenges, they maintained a steady flow of boundaries. Unfortunately, Bracewell's departure was followed by Dinesh Karthik's dismissal on the first ball, caught behind. RCB scored 136-5 in 15 overs, losing wickets in quick succession and desperately requiring another impressive recovery. Could they manage it? Could they, indeed?
Once more, it's Virat Kohli
There was no opportunity to employ a defensive strategy. With 63 runs off 43 deliveries by the end of the 15th over, he scored an additional 38 runs off the next 18 deliveries, effortlessly securing his second consecutive century during the critical stage of the tournament. This achievement marked his 7th century in the IPL, surpassing Chris Gayle's record of 6 centuries. Anuj Rawat provided excellent support to Kohli, contributing with a brief yet impactful performance, as the duo combined for a partnership of 64 runs off 34 deliveries, ultimately propelling RCB to a total of 197 runs in a crucial match they had to win.
The master of power plays
The strategy against Saha was well thought out. They aimed for deliveries that were not too full or close to the bat. Eventually, Saha succumbed to the pressure and attempted to clear the in-field. Interestingly, it was none other than Mohammed Siraj, known for his exceptional performance in the powerplay, who took the wicket. However, Vijay Shankar and Shubman Gill quickly turned the game around and steered Gujarat to a score of 51-1 by the end of the powerplay. Despite their progress, they struggled to match the required run rate, and their batting lacked fluidity, relying on edges for many of their runs.
Gill started, but…
Vijay Shankar was unable to find his rhythm. He found himself in an awkward position where he couldn't hit boundaries beyond the circle, yet he managed to protect his wicket. While Shubman Gill was playing aggressively at one end, Shankar struggled to maintain a run rate of one per ball at the other, which proved insufficient in a chase of nearly 200 runs. However, despite starting slowly with 32 runs off 26 balls, he quickly accelerated and scored 53 off 34 balls, scoring 21 runs in just 8 deliveries. This remarkable performance included a massive six that travelled 106 meters and helped him complete his fifty.
Fear for Gujarat, optimism for RCB
Shankar's rollercoaster ride came to a halt when Vyshak dismissed him on the very next delivery. Shortly after, Dasun Shanaka's departure caused a bit of panic for Gujarat and put Gill under pressure. However, David Miller was still waiting to join Gill at the crease as the required run rate exceeded 10. Miller and Gill were finding it difficult to time the ball, adding to the mounting pressure. As a result, the league stages were set for an exhilarating conclusion.
A thrilling climax
David Miller, who was having difficulty timing the ball, was dismissed shortly after, but Shubman Gill's impressive power hitting brought the required run rate to a near run-a-ball. RCB remained competitive until the second-to-last over. With 8 runs needed to win off the final over (with Shubman Gill batting on 98*), the Gujarat Titans successfully chased the runs, eliminating RCB from the competition.
Summary: Royal Challengers Bangalore scored 197-5 in 20 overs with Virat Kohli unbeaten on 101*, but lost to Gujarat Titans, who reached 198-4 in 20 overs led by Shubman Gill, unbeaten 104*, winning by 6 wickets. Notable bowling performances include Noor Ahmad taking 2-39 and Rashid Khan with figures of 1-24 for Royal Challengers Bangalore, while Mohammed Siraj took 2-32 for Gujarat Titans.
What will happen next?
On Tuesday (May 23), the highly anticipated Qualifier 1 will witness an exciting clash between the Gujarat Titans and the Chennai Super Kings. This crucial match outcome has unfortunate implications for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) as it eliminates them from the IPL 2023 tournament. The outcome also secures the Mumbai Indians' position as the fourth team to qualify for the playoffs. The Mumbai Indians will now prepare to face the LSG team in the eliminator match scheduled for Wednesday (May 24).
Conclusion -
For real-time updates and an immersive cricket experience, look no further than the Fast Live Line website and app. Stay connected to the excitement of the game with their comprehensive coverage of cricket live line and live cricket score. Whether you're a passionate fan or a casual follower, Fast Live Line is your go-to destination to stay updated on all the thrilling moments of the game. Download the app or visit the website today and never miss a beat in cricket.
