IPL: Faf du Plessis, Vijaykumar Vyshak power RCB to register 4-wicket victory against GT

A good bowling performance by the RCB bowlers restricted GT to only 147 and a dominant start by the RCB openers set the platform for a win.

Although there were a few nerves during the run-chase, RCB were in a comfortable spot to eventually take the two points home.

Winning the toss, RCB skipper Faf du Plessis opted to bowl first on a pitch that offered a lot of help to the bowlers to begin the day.

The RCB opening bowlers made full use of those conditions and rocked the GT batting early.

At the end of the powerplay, Gujarat were only 23 for three. This is the lowest score in the first six overs in the Tata IPL 2024.

GT had a difficult time in the powerplay as reflected by the score.

GT, in the middle order, had a partnership of substance as David Miller (30 off 20 balls) and Shahrukh Khan (37 off 24 balls).

In tandem, they added 61 off 37 balls – which gave GT hope of putting on a good total.

Rashid Khan and Rahul Tewatia, in the tail end, attempted an attacking partnership.

Tewatia in particular was severe on Karn in the 16th over – picking 19 runs with a six and three fours, while Rashid too found two fours and a six in his cameo of 18, until Yash Dayal had him bowled while attempting a scoop.

Tewatia too was dismissed soon after while trying to pull but edged it to third-man where Vijaykumar Vyshak took a great catch.

GT introduced Vijay Shankar as their impact sub to strengthen their batting, however, three wickets in the last over meant GT were bowled out for 147.

RCB’s response was aggressive and decisive to begin with – led by their skipper Faf du Plessis and Virat Kohli.

In the very first over, RCB’s intent was clear when Kohli hit Mohit Sharma down the ground for a six and ended the over by flicking one through mid-wicket to clear the fence.

Faf du Plessis completed his fifty off only 18 balls.

In the last over of the powerplay, the du Plessis show ended when he was dismissed by Little for 64 off only 23 balls.

With 92 in the powerplay, RCB looked well on course to victory.

Then came a bit of a twist as GT made it tougher for RCB.

Noor Ahmad and Little had big contributions in that. In the seventh over, Noor dismissed Jacks early – who had scored a century against GT in the last game.

Rajat Patidar, the Impact Player, pulled one to mid-wicket in the next over off Little, and three balls later, Maxwell fell in near identical fashion, pulling it to deep square-leg.

The run-scoring got a little slower. In the 10th over, Green was caught at third-man to hand Little his fourth wicket.

However, real nerves set in the 11th over when Kohli (42 off 27 balls) edged one off Noor to Saha.

From 92 for no loss to 117 for six, GT had fought their way back.

However, Dinesh Karthik calmed his team during the storm and was well supported by Swapnil. Their sensible batting ensured RCB got home in the 14th over, earning a big win.