Kohli trumps Smith in what turned out to be pretty one-sided match.
It was touted as the battle between Virat Kohli and Steve Smith, and in the end, Kohli trumped his counterpart comprehensively. Rajasthan Royals won the toss and decided to bat first. It was hot and humid in Abu Dhabi, and RCB bowlers played their part to perfection. They restricted RR to 154 and except Lomrar and Tewatia, nobody looked like scoring big and helping RR to an imposing total. RCB chased down the target with ease, thanks to the brilliance of young Padikkal and then Kohli himself, who scored his first fifty of this year's IPL and looks to have found his old form. With this win, RCB climbed to the top of the table. That is all from us, see you later!
Virat Kohli: Very important two points. The kind of game we had last time, it's very important to back that up. It was warm, but coming from Dubai, this felt better because of the breeze. It's a funny game, an amazing game and I was telling Jos that I love this game and hate it too; it's something you need to understand but when the team is doing well, you get more time to apply yourself.
Yuzvendra Chahal is the Man of the Match.
Virat Kohli breaches the 5500 run mark in IPL. Credit: Sachin Tendulkar Twtiter account.
The duo saw RCB home safely after the excellent innings from Padikkal. Credit: IPL Twitter
A comfortable win for RCB: Sachin Tendulkar
Steven Smith: We could have done a lot better. but did not get enough runs on the board, it was a good wicket. We couldn't get a partnership together. Jofra bowled exceptionally, our leggies bowled well, but we didn't have enough on the board. Our top 3 should be doing the job a lot more. The last two games it's cost us. We bat quite deep, but our top 3 need to bat longer and get outselves into the innings.
RCB: 158/2 (19.1)
ABD on strike. Curran with the ball.,
19.1 FOUR! Full toss and ABD finds the gap for a boundary. RCB win by 8 wickets, and this is an excellent performance from the team. They are looking on song in this IPL!
RCB at 154/2 after 19 overs
Unadkar with the ball to Kohli.
18.1 Dot ball
18.2 Three runs! This isn excellent running in such conditions!
18.3 Dot ball
18.4 ABD takes a single.
18.5 Kohli just jogs for a single. He is looking a little drained out here.
18.6 ABD drives down the ground for a single. RCB needs two runs in the last over.
Curran with the ball. Kohli on strike. RCB need 24 off 18 balls.
17.1 FOUR! SHOT! Just walks down the pitch a bit and just plays a perfect straight drive off the backfoot. Glorious!
17.2 On the pads and Kohli flicks to the deep square leg for a single. He is in control of the match now.
17.3 Slower on off, ABD looked to go for the big shot. It goes up in the air and lands safely. Meanwhile, they take a single.
17.4 Slower ball, Kohli nudges to the leg side and takes two runs. How fast these two can run!
17.5 FOUR! Short ball on off, Kohli looks to play this over point. Takes the top edge and races away to the third man boundary.
17.6 FOUR! Pulls that in the gap at deep backward square for another boundary. Kohli is in a hurry to finish this match.
RCB at 131/2 after 17 overs
Gopal with the ball. Kohli on strike.
16.1 And he takes a single straighaway. ABD on strike.
16.2 Full and ABD drives this to the deep mid-off for a single.
16.3 Short and Kohli just clears the fielder at short mid-on for a single.
16.4 Short and punches down the ground for a single.
16.5 Just outside off and Kohli steers to the third man for a single.
16.6 ABD nudges to the on side and runs quickly for two. Superb running between the wickets!
RCB at 124/2 after 16 overs
Archer with the ball. Padikkal on strike.
15.1 FOUR! Short outside off and Padikkal slashes this to the deep backward point boundary. Confident shot from a confident batsman.
15.2 Length outside off and Padikkal plays it down the ground for a single.
15.3 Bouncer and Kohli leaves it alone. Is Archer going to target Kohli's body here?
15.4 One run, umpire signals bye. Archer not happy with the keeping of Buttler.
15.5 OUT! Looked to make some room and in the end backs away to the leg side too much. Full and fast from Archer and the lights of the stumps are on. RR gets the much needed breakthrough. But is it too late?
Padikkal b Archer 63 (45b 6x4 1x6) SR: 140.00
AB de Villiers comes into the middle.
15.6 Dot ball
RCB at 118/1 after 15 overs
Tewatia will bowl his final over.
14.1 Padikkal takes a single off the first ball. Can Tewatia drag his team back into the match?
14.2 Full and Kohli comes down the pitch and drills it over Tewatia's head. It actually burst through his hand. Painful blow.
14.3 Full on off and Kohli drives straigh to the man at extra cover. He must be disappointed.
14.4 SIX! Full and this time he goes down the ground for the maximum. He is bringing out his best here!
14.5 Low full toss and drives this to the long on to bring up his first fifty of Dream11 IPL 2020. He had a smile on his face.
14.6 Short and Padikkal drags this to long-on for a single.
RR at 107/1 after 14 overs
Padikkal on strike. Archer back on the attack.
13.1 Full outside off and Padikkal drives on the up for a single.
13.2 Kohli nudges to the leg side. No run. RR need Archer to pick up a wicket here.
13.3 Slower ball outside off and Kohli whacks this to the mid-on for a single.
13.4 Short ball, and Padikkal ducks under it. That one came at 137 kmph.
13.5 Short ball on middle stump and Padikkal swats this down the ground. He is miffed, it was in the slot.
13.6 Takes a single to finish the over.
RCB at 104/1 after 13 overs
Parag into the attack.
12.1 Dot ball
12.2 FOUR!
12.3 SIX! Lofts this over the cover for four. This is Kohli at his imperious best. Is he regaining his best touch?
12.4 Dot ball
12.5 Short and Kohli drags this down the ground for a single.
12.6 WIDE and they take a single
12.6 Kohli defends this. No run.
RCB at 91/1 after 12 overs
Kohli on strike. Unadkat with the ball.
11.1 Pitches it on the good length, out comes the on drive from Kohli from a single.
11.2 Short ball and pulled to the deep mid-on for a couple of runs. Padikkal had to hurry in the end.
11.3 FOUR! Slow ball outside off and Padikkal steers this to the third man boundary. Cheeky shot to bring up his fifty. Well played.
11.4 Short ball and pulls for a single. Padikkal is looking a bit tired.
11.5 Kohli comes down the track and pulls for a single.
11.6 Slower ball and he cuts straight to the man at backward point. No run.
RCB at 82/1 after 11 overs
Tewatia with the ball.
10.1 Kohli punches to deep midwicket for two runs
10.2 Hits Kohli on the pads, big appeal from Gopal. Umpire not interested. No run.
10.3 Kohli takes a single, keeps the scoreboard ticking.
10.4 Short outside off and Padikkal cuts this for one run.
10.5 Kohli punches this to the long-on for a single.
10.6 No run, Padikkal plays this off the backfoot.
RCB at 77/1 after 10 overs
Gopal with the ball. Padikkal on strike.
9.1 Flicks this for a single. RCB having it easy right now. RR needs to do something to break this partnership.
9.2 Kohli leans forward and drives to the on side for a single.
9.3 Padikkal drives to the long off, good stop by the fielder. Two runs.
9.4 On the pads, and Padikkal pushes to the fine leg for a single.
9.5 Kohli drives down the ground for an easy single.
9.6 Short outside off and Padikkal cuts this straight to the fielder. No run.
RCB at 71/1 after 9 overs
Tewatia with the ball. Padikkal on strike.
8.1 Misfield allows a single.
8.2 FOUR! Short and Kohli uses his powerful wrirts to pull this to the backward square leg boundary. He is looking in good touch here.
8.3 Flicks this for a single. RCB milking RR bowling at the moment.
8.4 Full on off, Padikkal opens the bat's face towards off for a single.
8.5 Drives this full ball back to the bowler.
8.6 Pushes back to the bowler, no run. 9 off that over.
RCB at 64/1 after 8 overs
Curran with the ball. Padikkal on strike.
7.1 Flicks to the leg side for a single.
7.2 Kohli comes down the ground and drives this to the cover for a single.
7.3 Outside off and Padikkal drives this to the deep mid-off for a single.
7.4 Kohli nudges this slower ball to the leg side.
7.5 Lifts this over the short mid-on for a couple of runs. The fielder saves it well in the boundary.
7.6 FOUR! Punches through cover and extra cover for a glorious boundary.
RCB at 55/1 after 7 overs
Tewatia with the ball. Padikkal on strike.
6.1 Pushes to the off side for a single.
6.2 Kohli nudges to the leg side, dot ball.
6.3 Flicks to the fine leg for a couple of runs.
6.4 Drives to the long-on for a single. RCB rotating strike well here.
6.5 Short outside off, and Padikkal slashes this to the deep mid-on for a single.
6.6 Outside off and Kohli looks to drive. Misses it completely.
RCB 50/1 after 6 overs
Tom Curran with the ball. Padikkal on strike.
5.1 Drills down the ground for two runs. The fielder in the long-off looked interested for a while.
5.2 Dot ball, pushed to the short cover.
5.3 FOUR! Padikkal pulls and pulls well. Places this past the man at backward square leg for a good boundary.
5.4 Slower bouncer, Padikkal leaves this alone. That was like an off-spinner with more pace.
5.5 FOUR! Slow, short oustide off and it was begging to be hit. Padikkal gleefully sends it to the boundary.
5.6 Slower ball again and Padikkal goes for the swing. Lands safely and he takes a single.
RCB at 39/1 after 5 overs
Gopal to Padikkal.
4.1 One run, takes a quick single.
4.2 Dot ball.
4.3 FOUR! Short and pulled with ease. Poor bowling from Gopal.
4.4 Cuts this to backward point and takes a quick single. Trademark Kohli.
4.5 Short and Padikkal pulls for a single. Gopal needs to keep his line straight.
4.6 Dot ball
RCB at 32/1 after 4 overs
Archer with the ball. Padikkal with the bat.
3.1 Dot ball.
3.2 FOUR! Padikkal flicks off the pads, fielder at fine leg lets that go for a boundar. Poor fielding.
3.3 Padikkal defends to the covers with soft hands for a single.
3.4 Hits Kohli on the pads, but it was going up. No appeal from anyone.
3.5 Archer keeps this in the channel outside off and Kohli leaves this happily.
3.6 Kohli pushes to short cover.
RCB 27/1 after 3 overs.
Padikkal on strike. Shreyas Gopal with the ball.
2.1 Padikkal takes a single off the first ball. Interesting move from RR.
2.2 FOUR! Short and Finch pulls this behind square. Finch moved outside leg, Gopal followed him, but still its a boundary.
2.3 OUT! Hits him on the pads, Gopal appeals. RR takes the DRS. Nobody except Gopal looked interested. The ball must hit a sizeable size of wicket to overturn the on-field not out decision. Is height a factor? No bat or gloves involved. Now, where is the ball hitting? It is Out! This is brilliant review. Gopal pleaded with Smith for that, and this is excellent wicket.
Finch lbw b Gopal 8 (7b 2x4 0x6) SR: 114.28
Virat Kohli comes out into the middle
2.4 Kohli takes a single.
2.5 Whips off the Padikkal for a single.
2.6 Kohli flicks this to the leg side, no run.
RCB at 20/0 after 2 overs.
Padikkal om strike. Unadkat with the ball.
1.1 SIX! Drifts on the pads, and Padikkal times this sweetly over the mid-on boundary.
1.2 Full and straight, Padikkal defends this with confidence. No run. He is a man in good touch.
1.3 FOUR! Short ball and Padikkal stands and delivers. Picks up the length quickly, such a fine batsman.
1.4 Padikkal steers this to the third man and picks up a couple of runs.
1.5 Short and straight, Padikkal flicks this. Again runs for two, good batting.
1.6 Slower ball, nudges this for a single. Good over for RCB.
RCB at 5/0 after Over 1
Archer with the ball. Padikkal on strike.
0.1 Nice and straight, and Padikkal defends solidly this off the backfoot for a single.
0.2 Short ball climbs on Finch. No run. He was looking to play the pull shot.
0.3 Straight on middle stump, and Finch is behind the ball. No run.
0.4 Hits him on the pad, Archer appeals. Umpire not interested. Height may be an issue.
0.5 Finch swings and misses. Ooh! That just beat the edge.
0.6 FOUR! Short outside off and Finch lifts this over point for the first boundary of RCB.
Devdutt Padikkal and Aaron Finch comes out into the middle. RCB's chase about to begin.
Momentun with RCB, but RR can fight back.
This is a good bowling performance from RCB. Their bowlers were sharp, accurate and despite the counter-attacks from Lomror and Tewatia, Sainia, Udana, Chahal and others kept a check on the flow of runs. On the other hand, Rajasthan Royals will be unhappy with their batting performance, specially after how their top order fell cheapely. Lomror played well for his 47 and Tewatia lifted them over the 150-mark with two sixes in the last over.
RR at 154/6 after 20 overs
Archer on strike. Saini to finish things off.
19.1 Starts with a full toss, but it is only a single.
19.2 Full toss, this is nasty! Tewatia was looking to paddle past the fine leg. He is hit in the neck, or just under the neck. Looks like under the neck thankfully. The physio has come out for treatment. A beamer, and rightly called a no ball.
FREE HIT coming up.
19.2 SIX! Length ball on the pads and Tewatia has hit this out of the ground! That sailed over deep square leg. He knows how to come back, doesn't he?
19.3 SIX! Another one! Full toss outside off and he swings this again over deep square leg. Brilliant timing! That was just a flick!
19.4 Tewatia looks to swing this again to leg side, misses.
19.5 Short ball, Tewatia pulls for a single. Mistimed that, it was in the slot for a biggie.
Archer to face the last ball.
19.6 Goes for the Dilscoop, but fails to connect. Runs for a single. Good finish from RCB here.
RR at 139/6 after 19 overs
Udana with the ball, Tewatia on stike.
18.1 One run
18.2 Dot ball
18.3 SIX! Slower, short ball, and Archer whacked that 75 meters back. That went over midwicket.
18.4 Wide yorkers, Archer drills to the off side for a single.
18.5 On the pads, Archer looks to flick it. Misses, but they still try to run for a single. Mix-up at the non-striker end, RCB misses a run out opportunity. No run.
18.6 One run, Archer will be on strike.
RR at 129/6 after 18 overs
Saini with the ball. Tewatia on strike.
17.1 SIX! On the pads and he just flicks this to the on side. That resembled Yuvraj Singh's flicks.
17.2 Short and Tewatia pulls to the deep midwicket for a single.
17.3 Archer drills down the ground for a single. That was a strange shot, looked like a straight pull.
17.4 Outside off, takes the edge and good save by ABD behind the stumps. Dot ball.
17.5 Short ball, and the top edge lands safely in front of deep square leg. One run.
17.6 FOUR! Full toss, takes the inside edge of Archer and goes for boundary, An important one for RR.
RR at 116/6 after 17 overs
Lomror on strike. Chahal with the ball.
16.1 SIX! Full on middle stump and Lomror swings over the deep midwicket. He clears the huge boundary with such ease!
16.2 Full toss, and Lomror whips this to the leg side for a single.
Rahul Tewatia on strike. Can he repeat his heroics?
16.3 Rahul flicks this to the leg side for a single.
16.4 Out! That was way outside off, Lomror reached out for it. Can only hit it in the air and Padikkal takes a good catch at long-off. A good innings comes to an end. That was smart bowling from Chahal.
Lomror c Padikkal b Chahal 47 (39b 1x4 3x6) SR: 120.51
Jofra Archer on strike.
16.5 One run, Archer cuts to sweeper cover
16.6 Full on off and Rahul drives down the ground for a single.
RR 106/5 after 16 overs
Udana with the ball. Lomror on strike.
15.1 Lomror drives this to backward point for a single.
15.2 This is good running! Parag nudged this to the leg side and both the batsmen ran for a quick double.
15.3 Wide down the leg side.
15.3 Slower ball, and Parag pushes to the mid on for a single.
15.4 Full outside off and Lomror throws his hands at this. One run.
15.5 OUT! Short ball, climbed on Parag who tried to go for the pull. No in control and Finch grabs a simple catch at long-on. Parag was looking good during his stay at the crease.
Parag c Finch b Udana 16 (18b 1x4 0x6) SR: 88.88
15.6 Slower outside off, and Lomror jabs this for a single.
RR at 99/4 after 15 overs
Parag on strike. Chahal with the ball.
14.1 Hint of turn, Parag chops this for a single.
14.2 Brushes the pads, Lomror takes a single. Leg bye signalled.
14.3 Full on off, Parag hoicks this down the ground. One run.
14.4 Looks to sweep and gets beaten! Lomror should be careful against Chahal.
14.5 SIX! And careful he is! Tossed one up, and Lomror simply smashes this over long-on. Huge six.
14.6 Drilled over the bowler for a single.
How much is Rajasthan Royals going to target here? Anything below 150 will be risky against Kolhi and ABD.
Washington Sundar: 4-20-0. A very economical spell.
RR at 89/4 after 14 overs
Sundar with the ball. Lomror on strike.
13.1 Short on the off stump, Lomror pushes this to the off side for a single.
13.2 On the pads, Parag flicks this with soft hands.
13.3 On the pads, and this time the flick fetches Parag a single.
13.4 On the middle stump, dot ball.
13.5 Lomror drives this to the mid-on for a single.
13.6 Short ball, and Parag whips this to the leg side for a single.
And we have the second Strategic Time-out.
RR 85/4 after 13 overs
Zampa with the ball. Parag on strike.
12.1 Parag misreads the line, no run.
12.2 Parag flicks this to the short fine for a single.
12.3 Lomror drives to deep mid off for a single.
12.4 FOUR! Parag smashed straight past the bowler down the ground! That was brutally hit, ABD shouted for catch. Catch that?
12.5 Outside edge, and Parag takes a single.
12.6 Lomror drives down the ground for a single.
RR at 77/4 after 12 overs
Dube with the ball. Lomrar on strike.
11.1 One run
11.2 Parag nudges this to the leg side. RR in trouble here, need these young batsmen to step up.
11.3 Parag takes a single.
11.4 Lomrar slashes this to deep backward point for a single.
11.5 On the pads, Parag flicks this.
11.6 Parag pushes to the short mid-on for a single.
RR at 73/4 after 11 overs
Chahar with the ball. Uthappa on strike.
10.1 OUT! He went for the slog sweep and finds the fielder at long-on. He was struggling to find his timing. RCB dent a big hole in RR batting line-up.
Uthappa c Udana b Chahal 17 (22b 1x4 0x6) SR: 77.27
Young Riyan Parag comes out into the middle.
10.2 Lomror defends this. Dot ball.
10.3 Lomror gets forward and flicks to deep midwicket for a single.
10.4 Short, low on off stump and Parag punches down the ground for a single.
10.5 Lomror comes down the ground and flicks this for a single.
10.6 Parag defends this on the frontfoot.
RR at 70/3 after 10 overs
Saini with the ball. Uthappa on strike.
9.1 Punches to the off side for a single.
Kohli looking to break this partnership.
9.2 Lomror defends this off the backfoot. Good line and length from Saini. He has been excellent so far.
9.3 FOUR! Lomror smashes this down the ground. Rare short ball from Saini on off stump.
9.4 Lomror takes a good single on the next ball. Sensible batting from the young player.
9.5 Uthappa steers this to the off for a single. A steady partnership for Rajasthan Royals.
9.6 On the pads and Lomror flicks this for a couple fof runs.
RR at 61/3 after 9 overs
And we are back. Zampa to Lomror.
8.3 Short on off stump and Lomror cuts this for a couple of runs.
8.4 Lomror takes a single.
8.5 Uthappa sweeps for a single.
8.6 Lomror looks to cut this short ball, misses.
RR at 57/3 after 8.2 overs
Zampa with the ball. Uthappa on strike.
8.1 Pushes down the ground for one run.
8.2 SIX! Clears deep midwicket for a huge six! Lomror goes down on one knee and disposes this to the vacant stands. That travelled 84 meters!
Time for the first startegic time-out.
RR at 50/3 after 8 overs.
Sundar with the ball. Lomror on strike.
7.1 Good length ball, pushes this to the off.
7.2 Lomror flicks for one run. This is good batting from RR.
7.3 Flicks off the pads and Uthappa takes a single.
7.4 Dot ball
7.5 Lomror takes a single.
7.6 Full ball on the leg stump and Uthappa flicks for another single. 50 up for Rajasthan Royals.
RR at 46/3 after 7 overs
Zampa with the ball. Uthappa on strike.
6.1 Defends to the off, no run.
6.2 Flicks this to the leg side, takes a quick single.
6.3 Lomror comes down the pitch and whips this to the midwicket for a single.
6.4 Low full toss on off stump and Uthappa can only smash this to the long-on for a single.
6.5 Full ball on off stump and drives this powerfully, but for only a single.
6.6 Four! Uthappa Goes down the ground and just beats the fielder at long on. A welcome boundary for RR.
RR at 38/3 after 6 overs
Sundar with the ball. Uthappa on strike.
5.1 Plays this softly for a single
5.2 Lomror comes down the track but plays straight to Kohli.
5.3 Defends this good length ball back to the bowler.
5.4 Looks to sweep, big shout for lbw. Umpire unmoved.
5.5 Sweeps, in the air but falls safely! Lomror comes back for a second. Risky batting in a tense situation.
5.6 Pushes to the mid wicket for a single
RR at 33/3 after 5 overs
Chahal with the ball. Samson on strike.
4.1 Out! Samson is gone! RR is crumbling here. Chahal strikes first ball. Samson pushes this back to the bowler who takes a low, sharp catch. RCB is on fire in Abu Dhabi, RR has lost three big guns!
Samson c & b Chahal 4 (3b 1x4 0x6) SR: 133.33
A big, big task for Rajasthan to salvage this innings. A test for their middle-order.
Mahipal Lomror walks out into the middle.
4.2 Defends this off the front foot.
4.3 Fuller ball, was possibly a googly. Well defended by Lomror.
4.4 Full on the off stump, and Lomror drives straight to the fielder at cover.
4.5 Tries to hoick this over the short midwicket, and ABD just manages to get his fingers. Another possible wicket there. One run.
4.6 Lomror nudges to the leg side.
RR 31/2 after 4 overs
Navdeep Saini with the ball. Buttler on strike.
3.1 Out! Strikes first ball! Full outside off stump, kisses Buttler's outside edge and safely taken by Padikkal at first slip. RR has lost both their openers here.
Buttler c Padikkal b Saini 22 (12b 3x4 1x6) SR: 183.33
3.2 Samson nudges this to the leg side.
RR need a big partnership here. Samson is out there in the middle.
3.3 Straight on the middle stump, defends solidly on the front foot.
3.4 Inside edge to the leg side, Samson shouts a big no to Uthappa.
3.5 Hurries Samson with pace, no run. Saini is increasing the tempo here.
3.6 Beats the outside edge! An excellent over from the young fast bowler, wicket maiden.
RR at 31/1 after 3 overs
Udana with the ball. Buttler on strike.
2.1 Six! Nonchalantly dispatches the ball over the long-on boundary! That was some shot.
2.2 Four! Pulls and finds the gap! Is this going to be Buttler's day?
2.3 Flicks to the leg side for a single.
2.4 Out! He has castled Steve Smith! It was a slower ball, at 127 kmp/h. Smith was early into his shot, takes the inside edge and drags the ball on to the stumps.
Smith b Udana 5 (5b 1x4 0x6) SR: 100.00
Sanju Samson comes out into the middle.
2.5 Four! Glorious shot from Samson. Opened the full face of the bat and slammed that through the covers.
2.6 Beats the outside edge.
RR at 16/0 after 2 overs.
Washington Sundar with the ball. Buttler on strike.
1.1 Dot ball
1.2 Four! Sweeps it well and hard behind backward square.
1.3 Takes a single.
1.4 Smith punches down the ground and strolls for a single.
1.5 Buttler nudges to the leg side but straight to the fielder.
1.6 This time he takes a quick single.
RR at 9/0 after Over 1
Isuru Udana takes the new ball. On strike is Jos Buttler.
0.1 A hint of inswing, Buttler plays it with soft hands.
0.2 Four! Glances it very fine for the first boundary of the match.
0.3 Plays it on the backfoot, takes an easy single.
Steve Smith on strike.
0.4 Nice movement, beats Steve Smith's inside edge! That sliced him in half.
0.5 Slower ball, Smith defends it tentatively. He was looking to steer that to the leg side.
0.6 Four! Too straight and Smith pushes this to the leg side boundary.
RR openers Steve Smith and Jos Buttler walks out into the midddle. Here we go!
The two greats of this era. (Credit: RCB Twitter)
Are you ready for the Royal Rumble?
A look at the RR squad. (Photo credit: IPL Twitter)
A look at the RCB squad. (Photo credit: IPL Twitter)
Royal Challengers Bangalore have decided to field the same playing XI, something you will see rarely in a Virat Kohli-led squad. May be, they have finally found the right combination. Their bowling looked better against Mumbai Indians.
Mahipal Lomror comes in place of Ankit Rajpoot for RR. Extra spinner to tackle Kohli, given his weakness against them?
A good decision by Rajasthan? Well players can certainly get tired after fielding in such conditions for 20 overs. RR looking to add a spring to their steps in the evening.
Royal Challengers Bangalore: Devdutt Padikkal, Aaron Finch, Virat Kohli (capt), AB de Villiers, Gurkeerat Singh, Shivam Dube, Isuru Udana, Washington Sundar, Navdeep Saini, Yuzvendra Chahal, Adam Zampa
Rajasthan Royals: Jos Buttler (wk), Steven Smith (capt), Sanju Samson, Robin Uthappa, Riyan Parag, Rahul Tewatia, Mahipal Lomror, Shreyas Gopal, Tom Curran, Jofra Archer, Jaydev Unadkat
Toss time!
Steve Smith wins the toss and elects to bat first.
Warming up for the big battle
Ready to go big! (Photo credit: IPL twitter)
It is going to be a challenge for the players to perform in the hot and humid condition of Abu Dhabi. Fitness is going to play a big role today.
All eye will be on the Kohli vs Archer battle. Its searing pace up against indomitable batting.
Stat alert!
Shreyas Gopal has taken Kohli's wicket 3 times, and ABD's wicket 4 times till now in his IPL career. Is he going to play a crucial role today?
Can RCB overcome their fielding woes today?
RCB has been sloppy in the field in this IPL. Their players have dropped catches during crucial phases and even their captain Virat Kohli had a poor outing in the last match barring the super-over. They need to up their fielding against a formidable team like Rajasthan Royals.
Time for Virat Kohli to bring out his best
Virat Kohli has never had a worst start in his IPL career. He has struggled against both spin and pace so far, and his lack of form means more pressure on ABD to carry the team's batting line-up? And today he is facing his most rival Steve Smith. Time for Kohli to step up and show his true ability.
How to watch the match?
The match will be broadcast live on the Star Sports network. Viewers can also catch the action online on Disney+Hotstar. The match begins at 3.30 PM IST.
Impact player for RR- Sanju Samson
With16 sixes,the young batsman has hit the most sixes in the tournament so far. Against a struggling bowling line-up, we could see Samson scoring big once again.
Impact player for RCB- AB de Villiers
With two fifties and an average of 67, de Villiers is RCB’s leading run-scorer this season. He can help build an innings and accelerate when needed. De Villiers needs to fight for that orange cap all the way through the tournament.
Ground conditions
This will be the first match of the season to start in the afternoon. The players will have to deal with unfamiliar conditions and extreme heat with the temperature above 37 degrees celsius. The humidity will be around 46%. There will be a gentle breeze.
Deccan Herald’s Dream XI
Sanju Samson (wk), Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, AB de Villiers, Shivam Dube, Tom Curran, Shreyas Gopal, Rahul Tewatia, Jofra Archer, Yuzvendra Chahal, Ankit Rajpoot
RR's weaknesses
Jos Buttler has looked a bit rusty in the two matches that he has played. RR need Buttler to be at his best to string victories together.
RCB's weaknesses
The bowling still has problems. In their match against MI, they had their opponent on the mat at 78/4. Then they slowly let things slip away from their grasp. RCB should not have let the match reach the Super Over. The bowlers are leaking way too many runs for Kohli’s liking.
RR's strengths
The depth in bowling. Against KKR, Steve Smith had as many as seven bowling options at his disposal. It allows a captain to pull back if a frontline bowler has an off day and shouldn't have to cost the team the match.
RCB's strengths
Devdutt Padikkal and AB de Villiers have multiple fifties already. Aaron Finch got his first in the previous match. Except for Virat Kohli, the others are getting runs. And the skipper needs just one innings to get back into the rhythm. If that happens, RCB’s top order will be among the best operating this season.
The Royal Challengers Bangalore face Rajasthan Royals in IPL's match 15 at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. In their last match, RCB beat the Mumbai Indians in the Super Over after the match ended in a tie. The Rajasthan Royals had their first defeat against the Kolkata Knight Riders in their previous game.
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