RCB vs RR: Dhruv Jurel's cameo in vain as RCB registered a thrilling victory over Rajasthan Royals by 7 runs

Royal Challengers Bangalore carried the winning momentum as they defeated the mighty Rajasthan Royals by seven runs in the IPL 2023 clash at the Chinnaswamy Stadium on Sunday. Requiring 190 to win, Rajasthan lost their star opener Jos Buttler for 0 but a solid hand by Devdutt Padikkal and Yashasvi Jaiswal got their innings back on track. The pair added 98 runs for the second wicket before Padikkal fell for 52(34) against David Willey. Yashasvi 47(37) and Sanju Samson 22(15) were also removed shortly by Harshal Patel. Shimron Hetmyer failed to find the big hits and was run out for 3(9). A late cameo by Dhruv Jurel kept Rajasthan in the hunt but 20 runs to score in the final over were not their cup of tea today. Jurel was only able to face the last delivery when the match was already out of RR's hand. Earlier, Rajasthan bowlers produced a brilliant fightback after being ripped apart by Faf du Plessis and Glenn Maxwell. Both the batters smashed half-centuries as RCB put up a challenging 189/9 in 20 overs. Read the match report of the RCB vs RR clash and share your thoughts in the comments.

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RCB vs RR: IPL 2023 Match Report

Royal Challengers Bangalore off to a flying start despite loosing an early wicket

Rajasthan Royals won the toss & decided to bowl first. It is very natural to choose to bowl in M. Chinnaswamy Stadium and Samson did the same. Padikkal & Chahal were all set to face their ex-team in their former home ground. Kohli led RCB in the RCB vs RR fixture. Faf du Plessis, who opened the innings with Virat Kohli, is part of the playing XI. But he wasn't fit to the field due to a rib injury and only was available during the batting.

Trent Boult, who has taken wickets in the first over in many fixtures this season, trapped the Royal Challengers Bangalore's stand-in captain in front of the wickets right on the first delivery. Kohli knew that he was out and decided to walk back without having any discussion with Faf du Plessis. The commentators reckoned that the batsman played the wrong line. RCB played wearing a green jersey against RR and the change in clothing hasn't been a memorable one for Virat Kohli in the past couple of seasons. Last year as well, Kohli failed to open his account and departed for a one-ball duck in the green jersey.

Boult provided RCB with another big blow on the first delivery of his next over and got Shahbaz Ahmed caught by Yashasvi Jaiswal for 2 off 2. Boult gave away 12 runs in his 3rd over and was taken off the attack after that. Du Plessis and Glenn Maxwell rescued RCB once again and added 50 runs for the third wicket quickly. Despite losing two early wickets, RCB finished the powerplay with a total of 62 on the board. Maxwell was on 31 off just 14 balls while du Plessis smashed 29 off 17 in the powerplay.

RCB vs RR:

A 127-run stand between Faf du Plessis & Glenn Maxwell

Jason Holder bowled the tenth over. In his second delivery, Glenn Maxwell smashed a huge six & completed his 16th IPL half-century after facing 27 deliveries. Despite struggling with an injury, Faf du Plessis is playing quite on a level this season. He also has been consistent during his tenure in Chennai Super Kings. The orange cap holder smashed his 30th IPL half-century in 31 deliveries after scoring a boundary in the fine leg in the last over of Trent Boult. Boult picked up two wickets but also got slammed by the Faf-Maxi pair throughout his 4-over spell.

Du Plessis got dismissed for 62 runs after an unfortunate run out. Jaiswal was the man with the perfect effort who brought back Rajasthan Royals into the match. Du Plessis played his part quite nicely. Maxwell went on and on with his big hits but Ashwin sent him back in the last delivery of his spell. Maxwell tried to play the switch hit but mistimed and found Jason Holder. His blistering inning of 77 off 44 deliveries with 6 fours & 4 sixes finally came to an end.

Rajasthan regained control as Bangalore only managed to score 33 runs in the last 5 overs

RCB were 156 for 4 after the end of 15 overs and it was most likely at least 210 but they only managed to put up 189 on the board. Rajasthan restricted Bangalore in the death overs quite brilliantly as they only gave away 33 runs in the last 30 deliveries. It has been the story of Royal Challengers Bangalore this season. Not a single batter except Virat, Faf & Maxwell has stepped up and this is the reason why RCB are not in the top 4 of the points table. Sandeep Sharma & Trent Boult scalped two wickets each while Rajasthan's best bowler was Chahal, who also is the most economical and the best wicket-taker in Chinnaswamy. He picked up the wicket of Lomror and only leaked 28 runs in his 4-over spell.

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RCB vs RR: IPL 2023 Match Report

A decent start from Rajasthan Royals

Jaiswal & Buttler started the proceedings with the bat for Rajasthan Royals while Siraj got the bowl in his hand. He didn't take long to give the breakthrough as Jos Buttler got removed from the crease for a duck in the 4th delivery of the first over. Siraj is the most wicket-taker in the powerplay of IPL 2023 and he proved once again, why that is so. Despite loosing the early wicket, Jaiswal & ex-RCB better Padikkal managed to counter the bowlers. Rajasthan accumulated 47 runs in the powerplay after a slow start.

Willey broke the 98 runs partnership between Jaiswal & Padikkal

Padikkal finally showed his quality. He hasn't lived up to the mark this season, as he struggled to construct a big inning. The talented left-handed batter dominated the bowlers by playing some quality shots all around the ground. On the other side, Jaiswal accompanied him with some singles, doubles, and boundaries when needed. Rajasthan Royal scored 92 runs after the end of 10 overs. They needed 98 runs in the remaining 60 deliveries with 9 wickets on hand. Padikkal completed his half-century in 30 deliveries with 7 fours and a single six. David Willey brought back RCB in the match by dismissing the set batter Padikkal in the 12th over and the 98 runs partnership finally broke.

RCB vs RR:

Harshal Patel scalped the crucial wicket of Jaiswal for 47 in the 14th over and RCB were right back into the match. Jaiswal once again missed his half-century after a mature inning. Virat Kohli took both catches without making a mistake. Sanju Samson has had a hot & cold season till now, and he started well after two quick wickets. Hetmyer, the dangerous man came into the crease and started very slow as Samson was leading the chase from there.

Brilliant death over bowling from Bangalore against the star studded batting lineup of Rajasthan Royals

Samson looked really good before Harshal Patel sent him home for 22 runs. Rajasthan Royals lost the wicket of their skipper in the 16th over and RCB were in full control. 65 runs in 28 deliveries, a perfect script for Hetmyer & Jurel. The pair have already proved themselves as the finishers this season and it was time to prove that again. Jurel started brilliantly as 16 runs came off Siraj's third over. Jurel welcomed Willey with a huge six in the next over but Hetmyer's run out caused the problem for Rajasthan. They totally lost their momentum once again. RR accumulated 13 runs in the 19th over as Harshal Patel came to bowl the final over to defend 20 runs. He kept Jurel silent and also dismissed Ashwin for 12. RCB managed to register a thrilling win over Rajasthan by 7 runs.