RCB’s valiant fight goes in vain as GT pocket win in Ahmedabad
After what was a thrilling show from the bowlers, RCB succumbed to Gujarat Titans in their latest outing of the season. On a trick that had its fair shares of shenanigans, the RCB batters couldn’t really get going but the bowlers came together in pumping out a warring showdown against the Titans.
Winning the toss, GT opted to bowl first. RCB went in with an unchanged combination from their win against Delhi Capitals in the last game. RCB got off to a fiery start, courtesy of Virat Kohli (28). However, Gujarat applied the brakes in quick succession, removing Jacob Bethell (5). Much to RCB’s shock, Kohli was also back to pavilion in no time at all, falling to Kagiso Rabada.
RCB found a strong stand between Devdutt Padikkal (40) and Rajat Patidar (19) as the duo added 44 runs for the third wicket. But things turned around comprehensively as RCB spiralled into an unchecked collapse, losing four wickets in a span of 17 runs. Patidar, Jitesh Sharma (1), Tim David (9) and Krunal Pandya (4) were back to the dugout in a flash, complicating matters for the visitors.
Padikkal fought single-handedly but once he was back, there were doubts about how far RCB could push. DDP found another important stand with Romario Shepherd (17), adding 30 runs for the seventh wicket. But the pattern of RCB losing wickets in cluster transpired again as they lost Padikkal and Romario in short succession. Bhuvneshwar Kumar (15*) fought tooth and nail till the end of the innings as RCB could post 155 on the board.
Gujarat Titans roared off to a rollicking overture as Shubman Gill smashed 43 off just 18 balls. Just when it felt like that the Titans would run away with the game, Bhuvneshwar Kumar came on as the ship-wrecker. Kumar struck twice to remove Sai Sudharsan (6) and Gill in quick succession and offer a glimmer of hope for RCB. Kumar added another scalp to what was an excellent tally of 3/28 at the end of his allotted four overs. Jos Buttler (39) was the latest victim in Kumar’s repertoire.
The Titans chipped away at the runs with a combined show of aggression and calm on occasions as well. But Romario Shepherd made things intriguing, claiming Washington Sundar (12) and Shahrukh Khan (8) in the same over, adding significant spice to the game. But with limited runs on the board, a vigilant Rahul Tewatia (27*) saw the Titans across the finish line. Bhuvneshwar Kumar was the pick of the lot for RCB with figures of 3/28.
