IPL 16 : Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) vs Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)- Match 15 : Bengaluru
RCB Fans treated to Virat heroics
The vociferous RCB fans at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru were having a great night. It was a Virat – Faf – Maxwell show being screened in front of a sellout crowd. The LSG Bowlers were being taken to the cleaners and the fielders sent on a leather hunt. Jaydev Unadkat and Avesh Khan were in for some special treatment as a sublime Virat piled up a rollicking start.
FAF – Maxwell Exposition & Struggling LSG
Faf and Maxwell then flourished with some brilliant strokeplay and RCB finished with 212 . Though Chinnaswamy is a chasing paradise, with small boundaries, a target over 200 is always a difficult one. Siraj, Willey and Parnell then swung the ball to snare 3 early wickets and had LSG struggling at 23/3 in the power play. A cautious KL Rahul was joined by Marcus Stoinis and then the tide slowly began to turn.
A Radiant Stoinis
Stoinis was in his elements, there was power and timing in his shots as he counter attacked with some massive punches of his own. The strongly built Stoinis galloped to a half century and though he was dismissed he had already made a sizeable contribution of 65 in just 30 balls. But then LSG lost Rahul too to Siraj (who bowled brilliantly amidst all the mayhem). LSG were 5 down and then Nicholas Pooran played an innings of great substance.
A Luminiscent Pooran
RCB’s impact player, leg spinner Karn Sharma was pulverised by an audacious Pooran. The hitting was clean as a whistle. The power exemplary, the timing exquisite, Pooran just exhibited some exhilarating batsmanship. He had reached 50 of just 15 balls, the fastest 50 in IPL this year. The crowd had gone completely silent as Pooran took the match away from a hapless RCB bowling unit.
A Twist in the Tale
A twist was still waiting to happen ( you can never be sure these days ). Pooran got out to a full toss ( 62 of just 19 balls ) and Ayush Badoni who was playing a good sedate hand perished by way of a hit wicket dismissal and then it all boiled down to the last ove,r sent down by Harshal Patel.
LSG hang on by the Skin of their Teeth to emerge Victorious
Mark Wood missed a straight dipping full toss from Harshal and was bowled. The adrenalin forcing him to play early. Unadkat holed out to FAF at mid on and then it was 1 required from the last ball. Harshal Patel tried ‘mankading’ Bishnoi but failed. Avesh Khan facing the last ball, gave a might heave only to miss and then ran for dear life. The slow ball bounced and turned awkwardly for Dinesh Karthik who fumbled in gathering it behind the stumps and by the time he recovered, Avesh and Bishnoi had completed the all important run. Another improbable victory was sealed on the last ball. The crowd was stunned. A handful of LSG supporters were jumping up and down. Another Royal Heist had taken place.
A Melodious Jugalbandi for LSG Fans
Stoinis and Pooran made it happen. It was a perfect Lucknawi Jugalbandi, which ensured a melodious victory for the Lucknow Super Giants, who now are on top of the table. Another nerve jangling contest ended with the visitors taming the hosts.
It’s Mumbai vs Delhi Tonight
The IPL is shaping up beautifully as Mumbai Indians travel to Delhi tonight. Both teams have a 100% record so far. They have lost all their matches and are desperately looking for a victory. Let’s see how they fare. I hope Delhi plays some fearless cricket while the Mumbai stars get going. An interesting contest on the cards.
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Featured Image : Pooran-Stoinis Affair at Chinnaswamy / pic courtesy ANI News