RCB & LSG Play Out A Runfest in Lucknow
It was indeed a run-fest at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow. The spectators got their money’s worth. The show was breathtaking, the visuals spellbinding, and the feeling exhilarating as two brilliant players lit up the Lucknow sky with their fireworks. It’s a shame that only one could be on the winning side. RCB just got the better of LSG in the end.
Rishabh Comes Good at last for LSG
Rishabh Pant, at last, came good and scored his second IPL ton of his career. He put all his might into his shots, pulling and cutting with brutal power. In Mitch Marsh, he discovered a perfect ally, as both big hitters put the RCB bowlers to the sword. Marsh departed for a quickfire 63, but Pant continued with his powerful display and amassed an unconquered 118 of 61 balls, decorated with 11 fours and 8 sixes. LSG had put on a massive 227 on the board.
A Big Chase For RCB Beckons
RCB had to play out of their skins to win this one and stake claim to play Punjab Kings in the Qualifier-1 on Thursday in Chandigarh, giving them two opportunities to qualify for the Finals. A loss would render them to play the Eliminator against MI. It was clear what RCB wanted, and they went for it with gay abandon.
Salt & Kohli Begin Well For RCB…
Phil Salt once again gave RCB the start they wanted in the company of Virat Kohli. Both players strikingly beautifully, the LSG bowlers were under pressure, before Akash Singh got rid of Phil Salt. Kohli was both aggressive and delightful with his play and reached a quick 50. But RCB let the match slip for a moment.
… But Lose Way Before Jitesh Arrives
Will O’Rourke had Patidar caught at point and then dispatched Liam Livingstone the very next ball. The Englishman was caught plumb in front, to a full ball. RCB had lost two in two balls and when Kohli departed, caught in the deep by Badoni off Avesh Khan, it appeared as if the match had decisively turned LSG’s way. But then the final twist happened as stand-in captain, the gritty Jitesh Sharma walked in to partner Mayank Agarwal in the middle.
Gritty Jitesh Puts Up A Show..
Whenever I have seen Jitesh Sharma play, I have been impressed by him. His determination and the will to fight in adverse circumstances have been a natural streak in his demeanor. He played like a man on a mission, leading from the front. O’Rourke bore the brunt of the assault, conceding 74 runs in his 4 overs. A target which seemed impossible to surmount was achieved with 8 balls to spare
… And Wins It For RCB
Jitesh and Mayank had stitched together a partnership of 107 runs off just 45 balls. Jitesh had scored 85 of those runs with 8 fours and 6 sixes. The 31-year-old keeper played fluently, improvised when required, and belted the ball with brute power too. It was an innings to remember and the best played by Jitesh in his IPL career so far.
Spectators Change Sides – What Heroics from Jitesh
The spectators seeing Jitesh’s heroics, began to change sides and got behind RCB as the match neared a dramatic conclusion, which was simply unbelievable. With the win, RCB reached second spot on the IPL leaderboard and will be playing Punjab Kings tomorrow in the first qualifier in New Chandigarh.
A cracker of a game it is going to be.
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