Confidence is flooding through the team, and we are starting to play some decent cricket, much to the delight of our fantastic supporters who pack into the M Chinnaswamy stadium. “R-C-B... R-C-B... R-C-B... R-C-B...” they chant in unison, and it feels like the roof is going to be blown off the grandstands. The vibe is incredible.
Our bowling and fielding against Kochi was as good as it has been. The bowlers are finding their rhythm and, with everybody showing real intensity in the field, we did well to restrict our opposition to only 124 for nine in 20 overs.
Enter Chris Gayle and Tillakaratne Dilshan, and bedlam followed. After a single and a two, the magnificently gifted West Indian dispatched the sixth ball of the first over into the crowd at long-off. ‘INTERGAYLEACTIC’ screamed the scoreboard.
Dilshan struck three boundaries and a six in the second over, before Chris stepped back into the limelight and took guard for the third over of our innings... six, six off a no-ball, boundary, boundary, six, six and another boundary. The crowd were going absolutely crazy and, to be honest, it was a privilege to be in the stadium.
We were 66 for no wicket after three overs. It was unbelievable entertainment, and a great advert for this tournament and this form of the game. No matter where you live in the world, no matter what age, no matter what language you speak, anybody would have been thrilled by the fireworks provided by Chris and Dilshan.
Chris was eventually bowled for 44 off only 16 balls, but Dilshan and Virat Kohli took us safely to our target without any further concerns.
It was an unforgettable evening, not least because RCB were playing in a special lime green kit. The franchise owners are always innovative and bold, and our kit was part of an initiative to raise funds and awareness for ‘green’ environmental issues.
Next up, we play the Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur on Wednesday – that will be a tough match because the Royals have a great record on their home ground, but we are finding our form and hoping to produce another strong all-round performance.
Hawkeye Communications
