Ravindra Jadeja topples Rs 77.25 crore RCB’s winning chariot

In the top of the table clash, Rs 53.3 Crore CSK team took on RCB in the first of the doubleheaders on Sunday. At the back of 4 consecutive wins the Rs 77.25 Crore RCB was the favorite but Ravindra Jadeja had not read the script from the same perspective. Jadeja’s stellar performance single-handedly knocked RCB out of the game.

Dropped on zero by Dan Christain, Ravindra Jadeja 62(28)* unleashed carnage in the last over of the match, smashing 5 sixes (one of a no-ball), 1 four, and a couple to score 37 runs off Harshal Patel. Taking the score up to 191/4 whereas CSK started the last over at 154/4.

After winning the toss, Ruturaj Gaikwad 33(25) and Faf du Plessis 50(41) put up a solid opening partnership of 74. Harshal Patel brought the match within RCB’s grasp by dismissing Suresh Raina 24(18), Faf du Plessis, and Ambati Rayadu 14(7). At one stage CSK was tottering at 142/4 after 17.3 overs.

Chasing a target of 192, RCB’s resistance was short-lived. Devdutt Padikkal 34(15) propelled the score to 44 in just 3 overs but the dismissal of Virat Kohli 8(7) opened the flood gates for CSK. Jadeja ran through the middle order with 3/14, ably supported by Imran Tahir 2/16. RCB was restricted to an embarrassing 122/9 as seven RCB batsmen failed to reach double figures, handing CSK a comfortable 69 runs win.

Here is a look at the performance of the players with the highest price tags in the match.

PERFORMERS

Ravinder Jadeja (Rs 7 Crore): CSK’s faith in his abilities was well justified as whatever he touched, turned to gold. Dropping Jadeja on zero will haunt RCB for years, as he took apart the RCB bowling during his 62* off 28 balls. With the ball, he bamboozled Washington Sundar 7(11), Glenn Maxwell 22(15), and AB de Villiers 4(9) to break the momentum of the chase. He was electric on the field as well, effecting a brilliant run out to dismiss Dan Christain 1(3). Though the match was entirely his, as a formality he was named the man of the match for his outstanding performance.

Faf Du Plessis (Rs 1.60 Crore): Continuing his form from the last game, Du Plessis put up a solid performance 50(41) with 5 fours and 1 six. He dented the threat of the new ball, ensured wickets in hand for CSK, to capitalize at the end of the innings.

LAGGARDS

Virat Kohli (Rs 17 Crore): All hopes were pinned on the reputation of the RCB captain. Kohli scores at an average of 50 while chasing and the team hoped for him to come good. But he was found running on fumes during the innings, scoring only 8 runs off 7 balls. A disappointing performance at a time when a responsible innings was required from the skipper.

AB de Villiers (Rs 11 Crore): Mr 360 failed to read a delivery from Jadeja that turned 15 degrees and disturbed his stumps. He was RCB’s last hope to make a match out of it but he perished for 4 runs off 9 balls. A very uncharacteristic and below-par performance by the Rs 11 Crore batsman.

Harshal Patel (Rs 20 Lakhs): In a span of 6 balls, Patel turned into a villain from hero for RCB. Patel took 3 wickets for 14 runs off his first 3 overs. But his last 6 balls of the match cost RCB 37 runs, the joint highest run conceded in an over in IPL. Patel kept bowling in the slot for Jadeja to hit him for 5 sixes and a four in the over. In the end, he conceded 51 runs off his 4 overs with 3 wickets. With this performance, other teams will be eyeing to exploit his vulnerability in the death overs.

With this one-sided win, CSK will be beaming with confidence as they next face SRH in Delhi on 28th April. RCB next faces Delhi Capitals on 27th April in Ahmedabad.