Defending champions Chennai Super Kings finally got their first win in this season’s Indian Premier League, as they won the CSK vs RCB match. It was a convincing win over an in-form Royal Challengers Bangalore side by 23 runs. Ravindra Jadeja’s men lost 4 consecutive games before coming onto this match and were desperate to get points on the board. Faf Du Plessis won the toss and sent his former side CSK to bat first. Rabin Uthappa and Shivam Dube’s brilliant 165 run partnership helped CSK post a massive total of 216.
Coming on to chase, RCB batters never got going and kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Sri Lankan mystery spinner Maheesh Theekshana and Ravindra Jadeja picked up 7 wickets combined as they restricted RCB to 193. It was Jadeja’s first win as captain and he insists that he is still learning and trying to be better in his new role.
“First of all, this is the first victory as a captain ever. I would like to dedicate it to my wife because the first victory is always special,” Jadeja said in the post-match presentation. “Previous four games, we couldn’t cross the line. But as a team, we came good. As a captain, I am still picking the brains of the senior players. Mahi bhai is there, I always go to him and discuss. Moulding into a new role, it’ll take time to get things going. I am still learning and trying to get better with each game.”
Let’s look at the talking points from the CSK vs RCB game –
Ruturaj Gaikwad’s struggle continues in CSK vs RCB
Last year’s Orange cap winner with 600+ runs is still struggling with the bat this season. The 25-year-old scored a run a ball 17 runs before Josh Hazlewood picked him up with a straight delivery into his legs. Ruturaj has now just 35 runs in 5 games.
Robin and Dube show at DY Patil
After Gaikwad and Moeen Ali’s early dismissals CSK were on the backfoot before Robin Uthappa and Shivam Dube took the charge. Both batters were in the form before coming into this game and started to attack almost every RCB bowler. In their 165-run stand together, both of them hit 8 sixes each. Veteran Uthappa is often criticized for getting out after getting starts but this time he made his start count with a terrific knock of 88. Dube on the other hand remains unbeaten on 95 off just 46 balls, which is his highest score in the IPL.
Maheesh Theekshana – a new hero for CSK
The Sri Lankan spinner was magnificent on the night for CSK. The 21-year-old troubled all RCB batters and picked up four crucial wickets including Faf Du Plessis when he was on 8. He could have picked up a five-for if catches were taken. None the less a great addition to the CSK side.
RCB missed Harshal Patel
One of the best death ball bowlers in the current world cricket, Harshal Patel missed this match due to his sister’s demise recently. RCB certainly missed his presence when their bowlers went all over the park in the death overs and CSK scored a massive total. It showed that RCB don’t have Harshal’s replacement at their camp.
“You see the value he (Harshal) offers not just to this team but any team. He has got the ability to really stop the game. We missed that tonight. Even towards the end, we lacked variety. Big miss for us, hopefully, we will have him back soon again,” RCB captain Faf du Plessis said after the match.
