Hello All,
Welcome to Match 52 of IPL 2020. It’s RCB vs SRH. RCB were sitting pretty in Top-3, a week later they still are but yet to qualify as they have lost their previous 2 matches. SRH on the other hand have been late bloomers and are peaking just at the right time. They need to win their last 3 matches against the top-3 teams to make it to the play-offs and have started well by defeating DC in their previous encounter. RCB would look to regroup and get back to winning ways. A win here would mean they could finish in top 2. SRH on the other hand need to win to keep their hopes alive. Let’s find out who comes trump tonight.
It’s toss time here at Sharjah, the SRH captain calls it right and they have decided to bowl first. SRH make a change- Abhishek Sharma replaces Vijay Shankar. For RCB, two changes- Saini replaces Dube and Udana in place of Steyn.
IPL 2020: MATCH 52- RCB vs SRH
Live from- Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah
Time- 7:30 IST
Broadcast- Star Sports Network (1 English) and (3 Hindi) and Disney+hotstar for online streaming.
Umpires- KN Anantha Padmanabhan & Krishnamachari Srinivasan 3rd umpire- Chettithody Shamshuddin
Match official- Vengalili Narayan Kutty.
Teams:
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB): Josh Philippe, Devdutt Padikkal, Virat Kohli (c), AB de Villiers (wk), Gurkeerat Singh Mann, Washington Sundar, Chris Morris, Isuru Udana, Mohammed Siraj, Navdeep Saini, Yuzvendra Chahal.
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH): David Warner (c), Wriddhiman Saha(wk), Manish Pandey, Kane Williamson, Abdul Samad, Jason Holder, Abhishek Sharma, Rashid Khan, Shahbaz Nadeem, Sandeep Sharma, T Natarajan.
Philippe and Devdutt Padikkal to open the innings for RCB. Sandeep Sharma will open the attack for SRH. Starts on the money. Philippe takes a single off the next. Two dots and two singles to end the first. RCB are 3/0 after 1. Jason Holder to partner Sandeep. Starts with a dot, Philippe takes a single off the next. Three dots and then Dev punches one straight down the ground for a boundary. RCB are 8/0 after 2.
Sandeep to continue starts with two dots and then Philippe hoicks it, not in the middle of the bat but enough the get a boundary. A single of the next. Dev is cleaned up the next ball. Tries to play across the line no leg movement, a slight in-swing and past the inside edge and into the stumps. Kohli walks in at 3. A dot to end the over. RCB are 13/1 after 3. Holder to continue, starts off with a wide. 4 singles and a double later Philippe just gets enough to clear the in-field and over mid-off for a boundary to end the over. 11 runs from it. RCB are 24/1 after 4.
Sandeep to continue starts off with two singles. The keeper is brought up so that Kohli does not advance down the track. Gets a double off the next ball and Sandeep strikes. Field placed and plan executed to perfection there-by SRH. Keeper up, made Kohli play the drive and with the slowness of the pitch hits it straight to Williamson at short extra cover. Sandeep gets Kohli again. AB walks in at 4. A single and dot to end the over. RCB are 29/2.
Natarajan is introduced in the attack. Starts with 3 dots to AB. He takes a single off the 4th. 2 dots to end an excellent over from Natarajan. SRH in firm control here. RCB are 30/1 after 6.
Shahbaz Nadeem is introduced in the attack, three singles off the first three. Philippe then plays the lap shot over short fine leg and gets a much needed boundary for RCB. A single off the next ball. Last ball, AB hits one straight back to the bowler and Nadeem could not hang on to it. Dropped, would have certainly put RCB under more pressure. Opportunity lost. Will this cost SRH? RCB reach 38/2 after 7. Rashid Khan comes in the attack. Philippe takes a single. Rashid vs AB now. Beats AB thrice in a row. Well Rashid having a upper hand here. A wide and a double to get the over and RCB reach 42/2 after 8.
Nadeem to continue. Philippe get a couple off the first. Two singles later Philippe then hits one straight down the ground to get another boundary. Two singles to end the over. RCB are 52/2 after 9. Time for Strategic Timeout in RCB vs SRH. SRH are certainly having the upper hand. Two key batsman gone in powerplay itself. Only Philippe seems to get some timing in this pitch which has been rather slow. AB and Philippe need to stitch a partnership so as to reach a decent total. SRH meanwhile would love to take the remaining RCB wickets quick especially of AB.
Rashid to continue. Again starts on the money. Four singles to start the over. Rashid then bowls one short and AB pounces on that and pulls it over mid-wicket for a boundary. Another single to finish the over. 9 runs from it and RCB are 61/2 at the halfway mark.
Nadeem to continue and starts with a dot. The next ball AB connects one and lofts it over long-on for a maximum. A double and two singles later Nadeem gets AB! AB goes a tad back and hits one through the cover region good shot that but straight to the man present there at the covers. Delight for SRH and agony for RCB. AB was looking in good touch there a big blow for RCB. RCB are 71/3 after 11. Rashid Khan returns and Philippe plays and misses twice. 5 wides later a dot later Rashid gets his man. Philippe departs now.
Looking to break the shackles pulls one but it’s straight to Manish Pandey at mid-wicket. SRH certainly on top here. Philippe plays the rash shot, should have tried to play till the end. Two set batsmen have gone back to the hut in two overs. Gurkeerat walks in the middle. Two dots to end the over. RCB are 76/4 after 12.
Nadeem to bowl his final, gives away 5 singles and a double to finish. Just 7 runs from it. Nadeem finishes with 1/35. RCB are 83/4 after 13. Natarajan returns and excellent over from the young man. Just 3 singles given . RCB are 86/4 after 14. Time for Strategic Timeout between RCB vs SRH. RCB need to regroup here. Try and play out the 20 overs and get a score between 130-140 mark. This pair holds the key along with hoping a quickfire innings from Morris for RCB to reach that total. SRH on the other hand would love to wrap things up as soon as possible in order to chase a smaller total and get the win under their belt.
Holder to resume after the break. Starts with a short and wide one and Sundar stands tall and gets a boundary through backward point. Holder then does well and gives just 3 singles from the rest. RCB are 93/4 after 15. Rashid to bowl his final. Sundar takes a single. Gurkeerat is completely foxed the next ball. Takes a single and gets on the other end. A dot and then Sundar lofts one over the cover for a welcome boundary.
Last ball and Sundar decides to take him on and what a catch thereby Pandey in the deep but he lays on the ground. The umpires go upstairs and it’s seen that the ball popping out and just touching the ground. Sundar survives. A great effort from Pandey but Sundar would be relieved. Looking good so far. RCB are 99/4 after 16. Rashid finishes with 1/24. Sandeep to bowl his final over just gives 6 singles and a wide from it. He ends with 2/20. Excellent bowling in the depth by SRH here no freebies given. RCB are 106/4 after 17.
Natarajan is back in the attack and gets Sundar immediately. Full and straight from Natarajan and Sundar going for the drive does not connect properly, was the slower ball and hits it straight back to Natarajan who completes a good return catch. Morris comes it at 7. A dot and single later, Gurkeerat plays the scoop shot, Sandeep at short fine leg runs gets to the ball but could not hold on to it and it goes for a boundary. The swings and misses continues from Gurkeerat. Just 5 runs from it and RCB are 111/5 after 18.
Holder to bowl his final and Morris starts with a double. Almost another wicket for SRH. Abhishek in the deep attacks the ball but could not hold to it. Next ball a low full toss and Morris hits it straight to Warner at long-on! Ohh my he could have hit that to any part instead gets it straight to Warner at long-on. Nothing going in RCB’s favor. Udana walks in. Gurkeerat takes a single. Udana then tries to go big- tries clearing in-field but instead skies it straight to Kane Williamson. Siraj walks in and two singles to end the over. RCB are 116/7 after 19.
Natarajan to bowl the final over, Gurkeerat tries all types of shot but has hardly made any proper connections. Just 4 singles from the last over. Excellent stuff from Natarajan and other SRH bowlers tonight. They have restricted RCB to just 120/7. SRH in the driver’s seat here at the moment. RCB have themselves to blame for. Losing Dev and Kohli was disappointing at the start. AB and Philippe made a good partnership. Just when things were looking to settle RCB lose AB and Philippe in back to back overs to derail RCB completely. Sundar batted sensibly and Gurkeerat batted poorly with lots of swings and no proper connections.
SRH would be delighted with their A-game. Time for their batsmen to get the job done. RCB be banking on spin-duo of Chahal and Sundar to get the breakthrough along with their pacers. RCB would need something special from their bowlers- A performance like against KKR would be needed tonight if they have to win this one. Second half coming right up.
Warner and Saha to open for SRH. Chris Morris will open the attack for RCB. Starts with a wide. Takes a single of the next. Starts with a dot to Saha and then a single of the next. A dot and single later Saha places one but is cut out Philippe, saves a boundary. SRH are 4/0 after 1. Sundar to partner Morris and Waner greets him with a maximum over cow corner. Excellent timing from Warner. Gets Warner off the next. Pushed it further up, it skidded off the pitch and Warner trying to repeat the previous shot gives an easy catch to Udana at mid-on. Manish Pandey walks in at 3. Takes a single off the last ball. SRH are 11/1 after 2.
Saini comes in the attack, a dot to start with. Then Pandey hits one straight down the ground flat-batted shot through mid-on for a boundary. A swing and a miss the next ball Saini bowls a short one and Pandey gets under it and a flat six over deep square leg. A single and dot to end the over. 11 runs from it. Sundar to continue, and Pandey manages to run 3. A dot and then Saha sweeps one over backward square to get a boundary. Two singles to end the over. SRH are 31/1 after 4.
Morris is brought back in the attack and Pandey greets him with a boundary through mid-wicket. A wide down leg and a single taken. An overthrow leads no runs to two runs. Kohli the culprit there. Needless throw that especially on a low scoring game. Another wide down leg. 3rd wide this over. Morris is struggling here. A single and Pandey then connects one down the led for a boundary to relieve Morris. A 9 ball over that, 15 runs from it. SRH are 46/1 after 5.
Siraj comes in to bowl, starts with a dot. The next ball Saha just manages to get one over the infield and top of Morris at long-on to get a boundary. Gets a couple off the next. A dot and then Siraj tries the short ball and Saha plays the hook shot and another maximum for SRH. 12 runs from it. SRH cruising at 58/1 at the end of powerplay. Timeout taken between RCB vs SRH. RCB got the danger man – Warner early but Saha and Pandey had other plans and have given SRH a blitzing start. SRH are almost halfway through the target in the powerplay itself. RCB need wickets to win and contain SRH.
Chahal is brought in the attack, two singles of the first two and the 50-run partnership between the pair. A dot and the Pandey decides to slog sweep Chahal only manages a top edge and an easy catch to Morris at long-on. Wasted his wicket there Pandey- was looking good and no need of the shot at this time. RCB get their 2nd and it’s Chahal again with the breakthrough. Williamson walks in and two dots to end the over. SRH are 60/2 after 7.
Udana is introduced in the attack. Just gives away 4 runs from it. Good change and mix-ups in deliveries from Udana. SRH are 64/2 after 8. Chahal to continue and Saha hits one straight down the ground and we go upstairs for a runout check at the non-strikers’ end. Chahal is sure he touched the ball. Multiple replays in the umpire rule it not-out, Chahal and Kohli still in discussion with the umpire but Williamson was inside the crease anyways so Not-Out is the verdict. Just three singles from the over. RCB getting in some tight overs in. SRH are 67/2 after 9.
Udana to resume, and he starts off with a wide full toss gift to Saha and he dispatches it to the boundary through covers. A single later. Udana clearly bowls a waist-high full toss, Williamson takes a single and no-ball was not given. That was a clear no-ball. Udana gets away with one. Another single to end the over. SRH are 74/2 after 10. Chahal to resume and is greeted with a boundary over mid-wicket almost going the distance. 4 singles later, a discussion between Kohli and Chahal, he bowls the wide flighted delivery, Saha steps out and misses and AB does the rest- Stumped. Saha also wastes his wicket. Chahal gets his second. SRH are 82/3 after 11.
Abhishek Sharma comes in at 5. Sundar is brought back in the attack. Just 5 singles taken. Risk free cricket from SRH. Udana to continue and gets the big wicket- Williamson departs. Full and angling away and Williamson hits it straight to Kohli at extra cover. Similar dismissal to Kohli and Williamson had done the catching. Kohli and RCB are back in the game. Is there another twist going to happen? Holder walks in at 6. A dot and a double taken. Then Holder gets one in his arc and muscles it flat at deep mid-wicket and hits the Altroz car in display. A dot and single to end the over. SRH are 96/4 after 13.
25 needed from 42 balls. Saini is back in the attack. Full and straight, a huge appeal by RCB and they go for the review. Looks really close. UltraEdge shows an ever slight edge and not-out it remains. Saved by the edge there Holder. The next ball epic reply from Holder a maximum over deep square leg. You don’t bowl short to the West Indian players. Easy shot that with his height. Saini bowls a yorker and Holder manages to get bat on ball and a boundary through fine leg. SRH in a hurry here. Saini bowls a wide and AB can’t collect properly- single taken.
Saini bowls another shot one and Abhishek is hurried on the shot but the shorter boundary means another maximum for SRH. The next ball tries to clear the fence again but instead throws his wicket away. Needless shot that from the young man. Tries to play over covers but no timing in it and straight to Gurkeerat at mid-off. Abdul Samad in the middle. A single to end the over. 19 runs from it. SRH are 115/5 after 14.
Chahal to bowl his final, Just 6 needed to win. Chahal bowls a short one and Holder muscles it over long-off for a maximum. SRH win big and with 5 wickets remaining. They jump from 7th to 4th spot thanks to a superior NRR. SRH had a perfect day. Winning the toss, getting early wickets and restricting RCB to a below par score. SRH chasing 121 lost Warner early but then Pandey and Saha came out all guns blazing. They throwed away their wickets after a good start but in the end Holder- 26 from just 10 ensured not another miss step from SRH. Dew setting in made things easier for SRH.
Awards: Match 52- RCB vs SRH
Jason Holder – Dream11 game-changer of the match.
Jason Holder – Altroz super striker of the match.
Jason Holder- Unacademy – Let’s crack it.
Sandeep Sharma– Cred power player of the match.
Sandeep Sharma – Man of the Match.
Well SRH keep peaking at the correct time and RCB losing their plot at the end of group stages. SRH now will have to win their last against MI to qualify for the play-offs. Meanwhile DC vs RCB becomes a qualifier game as who wins get the second spot and the other might get eliminated if Punjab win against CSK. RCB now with 3 losses in 3 would need to pull their socks up to be in contention for play-offs. It was a perfect game for SRH which would help them being more confident. RCB’s NRR also took a huge hit after a big loss. Let’s take a look in the standings. For more IPL content click here.
Watch the Match Highlights of RCB vs SRH here-
Stay tuned for Chapter 16 coming up next. Till then Happy Reading! Ciao.
Vivek Nair
