It was Faf du Plessis’s splendour at Navi Mumbai.
Royal Challengers Bangalore defeated the Lucknow Super Giants by 18 runs.
Winning the toss and deciding to bowl first, Lucknow sent RCB in to bat.
RCB had a rather shaky start to their innings with both Anuj Rawat and Virat Kohli dismissed early on.
They were just 7/2 after which Faf and Glenn Maxwell took the innings in their hands.
Shahbaz Ahmed and Dinesh Karthik once again provided support to their team at the fag end of the innings.
Faf could have made a ton in this season of the IPL but he fell 4 runs short.
Royal Challengers Bangalore nevertheless made a defendable score of 181/6 in their 20 overs.
Jason Holder and Dushmantha Chameera picked up 2 wickets apiece for the Lucknow Super Giants.
Lucknow had to score 182 runs to win the contest.
KL Rahul once again became the aggressor in the second innings and played a fine knock of 30.
Then Krunal Pandya scored 42 which somehow stabilized the Lucknow innings as Josh Hazelwood was raining blows upon blows at regular intervals.
Towards the end, Marcus Stoinis and Jason Holder tried to bring the game back for Lucknow Super Giants but it had become too late by then.
The pick of the bowlers from RCB was Josh Hazelwood who took 4/25 and was the major wrecker in the Lucknow Super Giants’ innings.
Harshal Patel too got 2 wickets to his credit.
Player of the Match
Faf du Plessis for his 96 (64)
Post Match Reactions
KL Rahul, Lucknow Super Giants skipper said that they had a great start but they could have done better as they had given away 10-20 extra to the opposition. Mentioned that the wicket was rather sticky and they had to have a partnership just like Faf’s. Finished by saying that they will now try to do better and put the next opposition on as low a score as possible.
Faf du Plessis, Royal Challengers Bangalore skipper mentioned the ground conditions and said that he was happy to have played a crucial knock for his side. He was rather unhappy about missing out on his century. Added that he was happy and satisfied to have put up some runs for his team on the board. Praised his bowlers and said that all were on fire today. Mentioned that it would be a tough fight to remain in the top four. Added that they need one player who can keep their innings anchored but so far they have not been able to find the perfect fit. Praised Karthik and Shahbaz Ahmed for their performances.
Next Match
Royal Challengers Bangalore will next face Sunrisers Hyderabad on the 23rd of April at Brabourne Stadium while Lucknow Super Giants will be up against the Mumbai Indians on the 24th of April at Wankhede Stadium.
