IPL 2018, RCB vs CSK: Hits and Misses

One of the fiercest rivalries in IPL resumed after a span of three years as Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) took on Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in a mouth-watering clash. MS Dhoni won the toss and put RCB into bat first.

RCB skipper Virat Kohli walked out to open the innings and looked in good touch and got the hosts off to a good start. However, he was dismissed for 18 but it brought AB de Villiers in, who continued his excellent form. He struck a fabulous 68 in just 30 deliveries while Quinton de Kock supported him well with a very good half-century.

But Imran Tahir got CSK back in the game with wickets off successive deliveries (dismissing de Villiers and Corey Anderson). However, a cameo from Mandeep Singh and last over blitz from Washington Sundar helped RCB get past the 200-mark.

Chasing 206, CSK did get off to a good start despite losing Shane Watson as they got to 50/1 in 5 overs. But Yuzvendra Chahal bowled a fantastic spell where he picked up the wickets of Sam Billings and Ravindra Jadeja to put RCB in total control.

#5 Miss: Corey Anderson

After Nathan Coulter-Nile was ruled out of the IPL, RCB decided to rope in Corey Anderson. After the middle-order failed to deliver in the first few games, Anderson was brought in ahead of Colin de Grandhomme. He had a poor RCB first game but he complimented AB de Villiers well in the last game.

The 27-year-old all-rounder’s place was under threat ahead of this game but he was backed by the team management. Coming into bat at No. 4 after a superb partnership between De Kock and De Villiers, Anderson struggled to get going. He started with five consecutive dot balls as the pressure mounted on the Kiwi left-hander.

He was dismissed for just 2 in 8 balls as he edged one to slip off Imran Tahir to give him his second wicket. With the ball, he was very expensive with the ball. He went for 58 runs in his 3.4 overs as his execution at the death was not up to the mark as MS Dhoni and Ambati Rayudu took him for plenty as he was quite predictable.