IPL 2023: Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Rajasthan Royals, Match 32 - Talking Points and Who Said What?

Virat Kohli-led Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) clinched their fourth win of the IPL 2023 season against Rajasthan Royals (RR). RCB won by seven runs at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Sunday, April 23.

The home side posted a competitive first innings total of 189 runs, courtesy of Faf du Plessis’ and Glenn Maxwell’s sensational batting performance. Sanju Samson’s Royals did fight hard but eventually succumbed under pressure as RCB won their second consecutive game of the season.

Here are the Talking Points of the RCB vs RR clash-

Faf-Maxwell power RCB to competitive total

After the early dismissals of Kohli and Shahbaz, RCB required their middle-order to step up and put on a show. However, with Faf du Plessis and explosive hitter Glenn Maxwell on the crease, RCB had some hopes of fighting hard for a strong total.

The duo of Faf and Maxwell took the rival bowling unit to the cleaners as they hammered to get the required big runs. While Maxwell got 77 off 44 balls, Faf got 62 off 39 balls. In addition to this, the pair also put on a 127-run stand which powered RCB to post 189 runs in the first innings.

Jaiswal-Padikkal raise vital stand during chase

In response to the total, Mohammed Siraj got the early breakthrough as he dismissed Jos Buttler for a nought off the first over. However, it was Yashasvi Jaiswal and Devdutt Padikkal who helped revive the chase for the Royals.

The pair slammed 98 runs off 66 balls between them as Jaiswal got 47 off 37 balls whereas Padikkal scored a 34-ball 52. With this, the pair took the smaller dimensions of the ground to their advantage to get the boundaries and maximums and remain on course to chase the total.

Game. Set. Match ft. Harshal Patel’s three wicket-haul

For the unversed, Harshal Patel was dropped from the XI and added in the Impact Players list prior to the match. However, the home team decided to field him in the second innings and the pacer delivered the goods with the ball to claim a three-wicket haul. In addition to this, the pacer helped defend 20 runs off the final over and concluded with 32 runs in his four overs with an economy of 8.00. In doing so, RCB were handed their second consecutive win of the season.

Losing captain, Sanju Samson said-

"I think we are playing in this ground, I think 10, 12, 13 per over is chaseable. It was just about momentum and hittin a few more sixes. Normally Hettie does it but today Jurel was hitting it well. It was just about one shot here and there. It depends on who is bowling and what the situation is and whether we are chasing and setting a target. I think Ashwin with his experience and what he has done in the last couple of games has delivered. That's what the planning was. I think with the IPL games, the winning and losing is done with very small margins so we have to keep checking our routines."

Winning captain, Virat Kohli said-

To be honest, we had this discussion during toss. The pitch looked dry and I mentioned to the guys that they will have 10 overs under lights which is very difficult out here. The advantage was the ball got scuffed up. However, with the impact player rule and the extra batter, games are always on. That's why so many close games. The counter-attack from Maxi and Faf was even better than the Chennai game, it was a better surface that day. Maxi took the game away in just four overs. We thought 160 might be enough but the way they batted helped us to 190. (On Siraj) Phenomenal, he's got him (Buttler) out in the past and he's bowling as well as I've ever seen. Running in with the new ball he shows that intent and the confidence, he has the Purple Cap and for good reason. He's leading the attack and hopefully Josh comes in next game. (On Harshal Patel) He always bowls the tough overs, not easy at Chinnaswamy. He's closed out games against DC and today as well. So massive credit to the way he has performed. We trust him to deliver at the death. Whenever Hazlewood comes in, we might look like a different attack.

Player of the Match, Glenn Maxwell said

It's a position I don't mind batting, I have done it for Australia when we lose early wickets. They have given me the freedom to go out there and express myself. Came into the season with good form, and have that trust from the changeroom, that makes the difference. New ball skidded on nicely, so we had to be busy and proactive. I think the way we ended the powerplay set the foundation, although there was a bit chaos in the end. (On the way he got out) I felt it was my job to bat deeper, it was a match-up that suited me and there was some poor execution on my part. I thought if I could just take a single, maybe I could have been useful towards the death overs. Allow the new batters to settle while I could attack. However, in the end just really happy with the win.