Jos Buttler showcased a remarkable display of form with a brilliant century that outshone Virat Kohli’s impressive 113 as Rajasthan Royals secured a convincing six-wicket victory over Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL match on Saturday. The victory marked Rajasthan Royals’ fourth win in a row, placing them at the top of the table among the ten competing teams. On the other hand, Royal Challengers Bangalore slipped to the eighth position after suffering their fourth defeat in a row, with a total of three losses.
Despite Kohli’s remarkable achievement of scoring his eighth IPL century, Royal Challengers Bangalore could only post a below-par total of 183/3 after choosing to bat first. In a twist of fate, England’s white-ball captain, Jos Buttler, playing in his 100th IPL game, stole the spotlight from Kohli with a stellar performance that surpassed the former Indian skipper’s efforts both in terms of intent and quality.
Buttler, who had struggled in previous matches with three consecutive ducks and a highest score of 13 in his last three innings, took charge of the chase and successfully led Rajasthan Royals to victory with five balls to spare. His innings was highlighted by a magnificent six off Cameron Green over deep square leg in the final over, which also marked his sixth IPL century. Buttler’s century came off just 58 balls, including nine boundaries and four maximums.
Captain Sanju Samson played a crucial role in supporting Buttler, contributing 69 runs off 42 deliveries with eight fours and two sixes. Their exceptional 148-run partnership, the highest of the season so far, played a pivotal role in sealing the victory for Rajasthan Royals, virtually sealing the fate of the match in their favor.Rajasthan Royals have claimed the top spot on the table with eight points, surpassing Kolkata Knight Riders based on net run-rate. In a remarkable performance, Rajasthan Royals’ spin duo comprising Yuzvendra Chahal (2/34) and Ravichandran Ashwin (0/28) played a pivotal role in turning the game in favor of the home team. Their exceptional bowling during the middle overs left RCB struggling with a lackluster performance in their bowling department. Despite attempts by Mayank Dagar and Himanshu Sharma, they were unable to make any impact on the Royals’ chase.
Yuzvendra Chahal, who was released by RCB before the IPL 2022 auction, proved to be a game-changer against his former team. Jos Buttler, after a cautious start, displayed aggressive intent in the final over of the power play, where he unleashed his attacking shots against rookie left-arm spinner Dagar. Buttler’s quickfire fifty from just 30 balls showcased his dominance with the bat, outpacing Kohli’s milestone by nine deliveries. His fluent strokeplay and calculated aggression propelled the Royals’ innings forward, putting pressure on the RCB bowlers.
Sanju Samson also contributed significantly to the chase, showcasing his batting prowess with elegant shot-making against Dagar in the 11th over. His well-crafted fifty in 33 balls, combined with Buttler’s aggressive approach, led to a commanding partnership that guided Rajasthan Royals towards victory. Although Mohammed Siraj managed to dismiss Samson in the 15th over, the Royals were already in a commanding position, requiring only 32 runs from the last five overs to seal the win.
On the other hand, Virat Kohli’s brilliant innings, featuring 12 fours and four sixes, was a standout performance for RCB. Despite Faf Du Plessis’ significant contribution (44 from 33 balls), the lack of substantial support from other batsmen hindered RCB’s progress. Kohli’s impressive century, achieved in 67 balls, showcased his determination and skill, but it wasn’t enough to secure a victory for his team. The RR spin duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Yuzvendra Chahal effectively controlled the game in the middle overs, restricting RCB’s scoring opportunities.
Chahal’s exceptional bowling tactics, employing variations in pace and cleverly deceiving the batsmen with googlies and sliders, posed a considerable challenge for the RCB batters. Despite Kohli’s century, his inability to dominate the bowling attack ultimately impacted RCB’s overall performance. The century, although significant, did not have a substantial impact on the outcome of the match. Overall, Rajasthan Royals’ dominant display with both bat and ball secured a convincing victory over Royal Challengers Bangalore.
