In the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL 2024), Royal Challengers Bengaluru suffered their second straight loss and third overall. Once again, the bowlers and hitters fell short of expectations, and their dismal performance in the competition persisted. The Lucknow Super Giants took full advantage of this and scored 181 runs in the first innings, their bowling unit never looking particularly dangerous. With 81 runs off 56 deliveries, South Africa’s Quinton de Kock set the bar high. Nicholas Pooran added the final touch with a career-high 40 runs off 21 deliveries.
As Mohammed Siraj and Reece Topley were unable to contain LSG’s batting lineup, Bengaluru’s outstanding bowler was Glenn Maxwell. Though excellent, Yash Dayal was unable to halt LSG’s assault. RCB’s wickets tumbled like a house of cards when it came time to chase. The hosts were uneasy after losing the first wicket, especially when Mayank Yadav took the ball. Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis had put up a 40-run partnership.
Also read: IPL 2024: RCB 2nd Innings Highlights against LSG in Match 15
At one point, the RCB was down to 58/4 as the youthful, uncapped Indian bowler demolished their top order. Yadav’s three wickets broke RCB’s backbone. Impact player Mahipal Lomror provided the hosts a glimmer of hope towards the finish, but ultimately it was an unachievable feat. However, Anuj Rawat made 11 runs off of 21 deliveries, while Dinesh Karthik gave him very little support. As a result, LSG rose to fourth place on the points standings, while RCB stayed ninth.
1. Reliable Quinton is aware of the secret to success
Tonight at M Chinnaswamy, it wasn’t a particularly productive surface. Quinton de Kock played to his strengths, fully aware of it. Despite receiving criticism for his strike rate in the last game, the 31-year-old kept his cool and scored 81 runs off of 56 balls to give LSG the perfect start. Quinton would be thrilled to contribute significantly to his team’s victory, even though some may still focus on his strike rate.
2. You are unable to calm Pooran
Lucknow criticized the franchise for spending a sizable sum of money to acquire Nicholas Pooran, especially in light of his prior IPL performance. But he’s a different man now. This poor man is skilled at what he does and knows how to do it. With five sixes in the final two overs, the West Indies international smashed 40 runs off 21 deliveries, and it was only because of his outstanding knock that LSG was able to produce a safe total.
3. Keep Mayank Yadav in mind.
In addition to his quickness, seamer Mayank Yadav excels at length and line. With the wickets of Rajat Patidar, Glenn Maxwell, and Cameron Green, the 21-year-old helped LSG put pressure on RCB. Teams should be aware of him for the next few games, as he has been an incredible find. With his current form, the cricketer from Delhi might very well fly with the Indian team to the forthcoming T20 World Cup.
IPL 2024: RCB vs LSG Who said what?
The losing skipper, Faf du Plessis, said:
Spot on (dropped catches cost us). Two very good players, QdK when was on 25-30 and Nicky P was on 2, 60-65 extra runs, mistakes like that can cost you in the IPL. It is the new action you haven’t faced before, and if they have pace then you need time to get used to it (about Mayank). But his ability to control length and have accuracy is impressive. I didn’t think we were very good with our bowling especially in the powerplay, Maxwell brought it back and there were some pleasing signs in the death overs. You need two guys to bat through and get a partnership which we were not able to do. We need the strong characters in the dressing room to put their hand up.
Winning skipper KL Rahul said:
Overall a really good performance. the wicket was a bit tricky and there was some help for the seamers. Quinton got us off to a good start. We were 10-15 runs ahead of what we needed to be. The talk was about using the wicket and not the yorkers. It’s important to stay calm. One ball hit me really hard, so happy to see Mayank bowl the way he’s been bowling. He’s waited patiently for a year, he’s working really hard, he’s really professional, has a great temperament. Bowling first has been the trend in T20 cricket.
If I have a look at our record, it speaks differently. The good thing I am doing is losing the toss. If we get bowled out, if the opposition blasts out, there’s something to go back and look. It’s okay to lose sometimes, the first game was one such game, we have bounced back really well. This is how we play our cricket. Powerplay bowling has always been a question mark, trying to fix that. We’ve gone spin this game, very obvious match-up against RCB which worked. We’ll try find ways to get wickets in the powerplay.
POTM Mayank Yadav said:
Feel really good, two Player of the Match awards in two matches. I am happier that we won both the matches. My goal is to play for the country. I feel this is just the start. I enjoyed Cameron Green’s wicket the most. There are a lot of factors to bowl quick – diet, sleep, training. I am focusing a lot on my diet and recovery – ice bath.
India
