Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) registered their third victory in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020, on Saturday, as they crushed Rajasthan Royals (RR) by eight wickets.
Chasing 155, RCB lost Aaron Finch (8) early, but Devdutt Padikkal (63) and skipper Virat Kohli (72 not out) didn’t allow RR to capitalise. The pair added a match-winning 99-run partnership and took the game away from Royals.
Padikkal once again showed his class as he scored his third half-century of the tournament. Kohli aꦰlso shined and slammed his maiden fifty in IPL 2020.
In the end, RCB easily chased down the set target with eight wickets in hand. Jofra Archer with 18 off four overs, including one scalp was RR’s most successful bowler.
Mahipal Lomror takes RR out of early trouble
Earlier, RR entered the game with one change. They picked Mahipal Lomror in place of pacer Ankit Rajpoot, and the move worked for the Royals. The leꦉft-handed batsman contributed 47 off 39 balls including one four and three sixes and took his side out of hot water.
When Lamror joined teammate Robin Uthappa in the middle, RR were in deep trouble with 31/3 in 4.1 overs. The top order of Royals witnessed yet another failure. Jos Buttler (22), Steve Smith (5) and Sanju Samson (4) got out cheaply.
However, Lomror held his nerve and added a crucial 39-run stand with Uthappa followed by a 35-run partnership with Riyan Parag. All-rounder Rahul Tewatia scored a handy 24 from 12 deliveries, including three sixes to take RR’s total to 154.
For RCB, Yuzvendra Chahal p𒅌icked up three wickets and Isuru Udana bagged two scalpꦫs.
Here is how Twitter reacted:
Padikkal an꧅d King Kohli a match winning partnerꦇship❤️ 👏🏽
— Alexandra Hartley (@AlexHartley93)
A comfortable win for . has been impressive once again. Good to sꦇee back amongst the runs and it only makes RCB stronger.
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt)
Form is temporary class is forever ! however I ha❀ven’t seen this boy out of form since last 8 years which is unbelievable actually ! Paddikal looks really good need to bat together and♔ see who hits longer 😜
— Yuvraj Singh (@YUVSTRONG12)
Can’t keep the runs away from King Kohli. Was just a matter of time before he came back to doing what he does best!
But again so good watching Padikal. I’m juﷺst a nostalgic soul & miss watching Yuvi bat. does something about him remind you of yourself?— Saiyami Kher (@SaiyamiKher)
Clinical performance from . Outstanding bowling by Chahal and 99 runs partnership between Virat and Devdutt displayed duos matured batt🌠ing. So, now RCB tops the tab🔴le with this victory.
— Vinay Kumar R (@Vinay_Kumar_R)
Can’t keep a legend down… becomes the first player in history to score 5500 runs 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
— Lisa Sthalekar (@sthalekar93)
Virat Kohli has beenꦬ one of the quality players & his consistency has been amazing. Even after achieving so much one bad pa🐽tch & there are questions on his form & batting: quite futile that. Quality innings — 72*(53). Top innings. RCB are on top of the points table
— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang)
A clinical performance this from ! A grꦉeat bowling performance has been followed by some outstanding batting by and ! Great to see Captain getting his form back! Top cricket this from !
— MANOJ TIWARY (@tiwarymanoj)
Devdutt Padikkal has impressed with his strokeplay & consistency. Three fifties in four games: v SRH, MI & RR. He has looked a class apart & has looked at ease facing top quality international bowlers. Dꦏefinitely the one for the future
— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang)
This young man, Devdutt Padikkal, is going to give cricket lovers a lot of joy. ꦗWould love to see his work ethic and approach going ahead because that is w🌳hat will take him places.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha)
2020 really is one screwed up year! are currently top of tꦓhe AND are at th✤e bottom. 🤯
— Scott Styris (@scottbstyris)
looked solid,Didn’t commit on front foot v💃s spinners 👌🏻
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan)
What is different about in this ? A strong Indian contingent, th෴ey haven’t had that in previous editions
— S.Badrinath (@s_badrinath)
Good to see perform consistently for
Also good𝄹 to see🌟 RCB at the table top for a change! 😉
— Vinod Kambli (@vinodkambli349)
Yet again ! Very well constructed run chase 🏏🎉
— Ridhima Pathak (@PathakRidhima)
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