IPL 7 RCB vs RR: Rajasthan Royals defeats RCB by 5 wickets in a thriller

Bengaluru: Ever since the IPL auction in February, Vijay Mallya’s Rs 14 crore buy Yuvraj Singh has been quite the hot topic of discussion. The lack of form since the start of the season had made Yuvi and his price tag fodder for many jokes. Many may debate over his price and form, but there is no denying the man’s class and talent. On a cloudy night, the eclipse which had shadowed the superstar cleared, but a disastrous bowling show by the hosts, ensured a five-wicket win for Rajasthan Royals.

On what was turning out to be a perfect night for the hosts, James Faulkner (17-ball 41) and Steven Smith’s (21-ball 48) sixth wicket stand of 85 runs ensured the visiting side’s victory. Needing 78 runs off the last five overs, they cruised with seven balls to spare. At the M. Chinnaswamy stadium here, on a night when the batsmen did their job, at least Yuvraj Singh (38-ball 83) and AB de Villiers (32-ball 58), the home bowlers lost the match for them.

Electing to bat, RCB riding on Yuvraj and De Villiers heroics posted a competitive 190 for 5. Losing wickets at regular intervals, Royals lost the plot briefly, but stormed back. Royals were given a steady start by Ajinkya Rahane (24) and local lad Karun Nair (56). Yuvraj’s twin strikes in the form of Shane Watson (1) and Stuart Binny (1) put pressure on the visitors. Yuvraj dealt the devastating blow accounting for Sanju Samson (13) and Nair, but from then on the pacers were wayward.

Earlier, 33-year-old Yuvraj came in when RCB was precariously placed at 40 for 3, with the run rate needing desperate acceleration. Such was the ferocity of his innings that he barely did any running with 74 runs coming through boundaries and sixes. Coupled with a typical ABD class act, the middle-order duo raised 132 runs for the fourth wicket. Perhaps to boost the confidence of his team and himself too, Virat Kohli who won the toss, for the first time this season pushed himself up the order and opened the innings. Unfortunately, Kohli’s worrying form continued as he faltered yet again.

A struggling Chris Gayle followed next, caught by wicketkeeper Sanju Samson, off Pravin Tambe. Gayle’s walk even before the decision was given was quite surprising. Even as umpire Rod Tucker lifted his hand to signal a wide, Gayle went marching and as an after reaction, Tucker’s hand went up.

Scoreboard:

Royal Challengers Bangalore: V. Kohli c Bhatia b Richardson 4, C. Gayle c Samson b Tambe 19, V. Zol c Watson b Tewatia 16, AB de Villiers c Rahane b Faulkner 58, Yuvraj Singh lbw b Richardson 83, A. Morkel (not out) 1, P. Patel (not out) 2. Extras (lb 2, w 5) 7. Total (for five wickets in 20 overs) 190.

FoW: 1-6, 2-38, 3-40, 4-172, 5-186.
Bowling: Richardson 4-0-43-2, Watson 4-0-35-0, Faulkner 4-0-42-1, Tambe 4-0-38-1, Tewatia 3-0-17-1, Bhatia 1-0-13-0.

Rajasthan Royals: A.Rahane c Patel b Chahal 24, K. Nair b Yuvraj Singh 56, S. Watson b Yuvraj Singh 1, S. Binny c (sub) R. Rossouw b Yuvraj Singh 1, S. Samson c & b Yuvraj Singh 13, S. Smith (not out) 48, J. Faulkner (not out )35. Extras (lb- 1, w-5, nb-1) 6. Total (for five wickets in 16 overs) 191

FoW: 1-54, 2-61, 3-63, 4-82, 5-106,
Bowling: A. Morkel 2-0-20-0, M. Starc 3-0-33-0, A. Dinda 3-0-37-0, V. Aaron 2.5-0-41-0 Y. Singh 4-0-35-4, Y. Chahal 4-0-24-1.