Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Virat Kohli brought the fire, but Royal Challengers Bengaluru were left needing far more than just his intensity as Gujarat Titans tightened their grip in Ahmedabad on Thursday, 30 April.
Defending a modest 156, RCB needed early wickets to keep themselves alive in the contest and they found them through Bhuvneshwar Kumar. The veteran seamer struck twice in the powerplay to remove both Gujarat openers, handing the visitors a much-needed opening in a chase that had seemed firmly in GT’s control.
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The biggest breakthrough came off the final ball of the fifth over when Shubman Gill looked to drive on the up through the covers. Kohli, stationed in the ring, reacted sharply and held on cleanly to complete a crucial catch. What followed was vintage Kohli — a fierce stare in Gill’s direction, a roar of celebration and the kind of charged-up response that briefly lifted RCB’s energy in the field.
With both Gill and Sai Sudharsan back in the pavilion, RCB sensed an opening. Gujarat’s top order has often dictated the course of their chases, and Kohli’s animated celebration reflected the significance of that moment as much as the dismissal itself. For a side defending below par, belief was suddenly back in the contest.
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That belief, however, had been made necessary by a chaotic batting effort earlier in the evening. RCB were bowled out for 155 in 19.2 overs after squandering a blistering start led by Kohli.
The former RCB captain came out swinging and tore into Kagiso Rabada in a thrilling early contest, smashing 28 off just 13 balls and taking 21 from one Rabada over, including five boundaries in succession. For a brief period, RCB were flying at over 10 an over and looked set for a commanding total.
But Gill’s decision to persist with Rabada proved decisive. The South African struck back to dismiss Kohli and trigger a collapse that exposed RCB’s fragile middle order. From 71 for 2 after seven overs, they crumbled to 96 for 6 in just 10.3.
Devdutt Padikkal made 40 and briefly threatened to rebuild, but Gujarat’s attack never loosened its grip. Arshad Khan finished with 3 for 22, Rashid Khan returned 2 for 19, and Jason Holder delivered a superb all-round performance with 2 for 29 and three catches.
Kohli gave RCB a spark in both innings. Gujarat still held the stronger hand.
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SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
