The 52nd match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, played at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, saw Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) emerge victorious by four wickets against Gujarat Titans (GT).
RCB won the toss and elected to field first. The visitors got off to a disastrous start, losing their top three batsmen – Wriddhiman Saha (1), Shubman Gill (2), and Sai Sudharsan (6)– cheaply. This left them reeling at a meagre 23/3 at the end of the powerplay, which happens to be the lowest powerplay total in IPL 2024.
Shahrukh Khan and David Miller attempted to revive the Titans innings with a 61-run partnership. However, Miller’s (30) dismissal triggered a mini-collapse as Khan (37) followed suit in the very next over due to a run-out. Rahul Tewatia provided a late flourish with his knock, but he was eventually dismissed for 35, restricting Gujarat Titans’ total to 147 runs in 19.3 overs.
RCB bowlers displayed discipline and control throughout the innings. Mohammed Siraj, Yash Dayal, and Vijaykumar Vyshak picked up two wickets each, while Cameron Green and Karn Sharma chipped in with a wicket apiece.
In reply, the host got off to a flying start courtesy of their skipper, Faf du Plessis. The South African batsman struck a quickfire 18-ball fifty, registering the second-fastest fifty in RCB’s history. However, the dismissal of du Plessis by Joshua Little for 64 runs triggered a slump in RCB batting order. Little followed up by dismissing Rajat Patidar (2), Glenn Maxwell (4), and Green (1) in quick succession. Noor Ahmad also contributed with two wickets, removing Will Jacks (1) and Virat Kohli (42).
Despite the batting collapse, Dinesh Karthik (21*) and Swapnil Singh (15*) held their nerve and guided RCB home with four wickets remaining.
Mohammed Siraj was adjudged the Player of the Match for his impressive bowling performance, claiming two wickets for just 29 runs.
With this victory, RCB climb up to the seventh position on the league table with four wins out of eleven matches played. GT, on the other hand, slip down to the ninth position with an equal number of wins but an inferior net run rate.
Scorecard:
Gujarat Titans: 147, Overs 19.3, Shahrukh Khan 37, Yash Dayal 2/21
Royal Challengers Bengaluru: 152-6, Overs 13.4, Faf du Plessis 64, Joshua Little 4/45