Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) lost to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by eight runs in Bengaluru on Monday in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023. CSK batted first and scored 226/6 in 20 overs after RCB skipper Faf du Plessis won the toss.
In response, RCB started poorly and lost in-form hitter Virat Kohli for 6(4) in the first over of the run chase. Mahesh Theekshana dropped a catch of Mahipal Lomror at mid-off, almost costing RCB their second wicket.
MS Dhoni had a rare error against RCB in IPL 2023. He missed a Faf du Plessis catch-behind.
Lomror missed the second chance and was bowled by Tushar Deshpande in the following over for 0, with Ruturaj Gaikwad scoring within the 30-yard circle.
If MS Dhoni hadn’t bungled, the hosts may have lost. The CSK captain made a rare error behind the stumps. Dhoni missed an easy caught-behind, giving du Plessis a fortuitous reprieve on 0, minutes before Lomror’s departure.
Du Plessis scored 62 off 33 deliveries with five fours and four sixes, almost costing CSK the critical two points.
Watch IPL 2023: MS Dhoni removes RCB captain Faf du Plessis.
Du Plessis and Glenn Maxwell used their second opportunity to defeat CSK with their blazing batting. RCB seemed set to win after adding 126 runs for the third wicket in 61 balls.
Du Plessis reached his half-century first, in 23 balls. Maxwell’s blitzkrieg performance left CSK as upset as the RCB captain’s. Maxwell reached his half-century one delivery after Du Plessis, putting RCB in a strong position to win.
After the dynamic pair was removed, CSK regained control. Dhoni nabbed Maxwell for 76(36) and du Plessis in the following over. The famed CSK skipper redeemed himself by taking two wavering skiers.
Soon after, RCB’s out-of-form middle order couldn’t keep up with the asking rate of 12 runs per over and could only reach 218/8 in their 20 overs thanks to some meaty knocks by Dinesh Karthik and Impact Substitute Suyash Prabhudessai towards the end of the match.
Despite winning, CSK’s fielding will worry them. After the powerplay errors, CSK lost two more catches: Theeshana missed a caught and bowled chance and Ruturaj Gaikwad missed a straightforward DK at long on.
