Royal Challengers Bangalore captain Faf du Plessis believes 165 was a par score after they won against defending champions Chennai Super Kings by 13 runs at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune on Wednesday. RCB was able to post a competitive total of 173 runs on the board after MS Dhoni won the toss and decided to bowl first.
As the track was providing assistance to the spinners, it was always going to be difficult for CSK to chase down the total. Mahipal Lomror and Faf du Plessis scored 42 and 38 runs respectively whereas Dinesh Karthik added the finishing touches as he scored a quickfire knock of 26 off just 17 balls.
On the other hand, Harshal Patel was the pick of the RCB bowlers as the medium-pacer took 3-35 in his quota of four overs. Patel bowled with guile and accounted for Moeen Ali, Ravindra Jadeja, and Dwaine Pretorious in his fine spell.
Glenn Maxwell, who couldn’t contribute with the bat, scalped two wickets in his allotted four overs. Maxwell got the crucial wickets of Robin Uthappa and Ambati Rayudu as he made full use of the favorable conditions.
Thus, RCB came up with a collective effort to register a crucial win. Furthermore, RCB’s catching was good throughout the game as they took their opportunities.
Faf du Plessis said in the post-match presentation, “We definitely needed that. We put up a decent total. We are moving in the right direction. We have been very good in the bowling department. I thought 165 was a par score on that and anything above that was a bonus. I thought the Powerplay was a good time to score. The fielding was amazing. Some great catching and good bowling indeed. We are very lucky to have experienced guys. Very good to have me lean on the senior players. Just keep improving in the batting department. We want one of the top four to bat through. Need to keep playing the positive brand of cricket. Once you get an opportunity to think of the run rate in a match, you will be able to put on the gas and go for it.”
RCB will look to continue the good show in the upcoming matches and they will look to keep coming up with a collective effort. Faf du Plessis-led team has won six out of their 11 matches and they will look to build the winning momentum.
RCB will next face Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Sunday.
