In the 22nd match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) beat Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) by 23 runs. Clinical performances from Shivam Dube (95*), Robin Uthappa (88) and Maheesh Theekshana helped CSK to win their first game of the season.
Chennai Super Kings had to field after losing the toss. The Orange Cap holder of the previous edition, Ruturaj Gaikwad was dismissed for yet another low score. Robin Uthappa took his time to get his eye in. The defending champions had an underwhelming powerplay with just 35 runs in the first six overs. The number three batsman Moeen Ali was also sent back to the pavilion cheaply. Shivam Dube was the new batsman at number four. Dube and Uthappa created havoc in the middle overs. The two set batsmen treated the ball outside the boundary rope and went on to stitch a game-changing partnership of 165 runs. The massive partnership brought the four-time champions back into the game after a slow start. The humongous partnership was broken in the 19th over when Uthappa was caught at the deep in the midwicket region. Ravindra Jadeja was the number five batsman but he departed without making any changes on the scoreboard. Dube smashed 15 off the last over, he remained unbeaten in the first innings and helped the team to set up a competitive total of 216.
Royal Challengers Bangalore fell short of the target by 23 runs. Shahbaz Ahmed (41) and Suyash Prabhudessai (34) were the two batsmen who put up a fight for RCB after the top order didn’t contribute much. The in-form Dinesh Karthik (34) was looking like a threat to CSK in the death overs but his knock came to an end in the 18th over.
Maheesh Theekshana was the pick among the bowlers for CSK due to his four-wicket haul. Mukesh Choudhary and Dwayne Bravo had one wicket each.
For RCB, Wanindu Hasaranga pocketed two wickets while Jos Hazlewood had one scalp to his name.
Following this victory, CSK have occupied the ninth spot with two points. Dube was adjudged Man of the Match for his 95 off 46 deliveries with eight sixes and five fours.
Scorecard:
Chennai Super Kings: 216/4, Overs 20, Shivam Dube 95*, Wanindu Hasaranga 2/35
Royal Challengers Bangalore: 193/9, Overs 20, Shahbaz Ahmed (41) Maheesh Theekshana 4/33