Royal Challengers Bangalore continued their good start in the 14th edition of the Indian Premier League as they won their third match against Kolkata Knight Riders by a mammoth margin of 38 runs at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai on Sunday and reclaim the top position in the points table.
RCB has made it three wins in three matches and this is their best-ever start in the IPL. After winning the toss, Virat Kohli decided to bat first and RCB was able to post a par score of 204 runs after brilliant fifties from Glenn Maxwell and AB de Villiers.
RCB got off to a bad start as Varun Chakravarthy struck twice – dismissing Virat Kohli and Rajat Patidar – in his maiden over. However, Maxwell continued his good form and he was able to hit the ground running for RCB. Maxwell took the attack to the opposition and played some delightful shots in his knock.
The Australian completed his second consecutive fifty off just 28 balls whereas Devdutt Padikkal couldn’t get going from the other end. Padikkal was dismissed while trying to go a big shot against Prasidh Krishna, which brought the dangerous AB de Villiers to the middle.
The South African was also able to get off the blocks in a jiffy. Meanwhile, Maxwell was dismissed after scoring a fine knock of 78 runs off just 49 balls with the help of nine fours and three sixes. On the other hand, AB continued his onslaught as he completed his fifty off just 27 balls. RCB went blitzkrieg in the final five overs as they scored 70 runs, out of which 55 were scored by AB de Villiers.
Kohli was full of praise for AB de Villiers and Glenn Maxwell and feels the Australian has taken to this team like a duck to water.
Virat Kohli said in the post-match presentation, “Well, I said at the halfway mark we have 200 because of two genius innings back-to-back. Maxwell was outstanding and AB to follow. When he gets in with that kind of form and flow, it’s impossible to stop him. We got 40 extra runs on that pitch which slowed down. Maxi has taken to this team like duck to water. AB loves the team and they were the difference today. There are areas we can work on. We’re not getting ahead of ourselves and not getting over-excited”.
Kohli also heaped praise on Mohammed Siraj and Harshal Patel, who both impressed. Siraj bowled the penultimate over to Andre Russell and conceded only one run as the West Indies refused to take the singles whereas Patel bagged a brace.
RCB will now move to Mumbai, where they will face Rajasthan Royals on 22nd April.
