IPL 2024: Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Lucknow Super Giants, 15th Match - Who Said What?

Royal Challengers Bengaluru registered their second consecutive defeat and third so far in the IPL 2024. Their poor show in the tournament continued as the batters and the bowlers once again failed to live up to their potential. Their bowling unit never looked threatening as Lucknow Super Giants took complete advantage of that and posted 181 runs in the first innings. Quinton de Kock gave a brilliant start as the South Africa international made 81 runs off 56 deliveries while Nicholas Pooran gave the finishing touch, as he smashed 40* runs off 21 deliveries.

Glenn Maxwell was the star with the ball for Bengaluru as Mohammed Siraj and Reece Topley failed to control LSG's batting line-up. Yash Dayal was impressive but that didn’t stop LSG’s onslaught either. When it came to the chase, RCB’s wickets fell like a house of cards. Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis stitched a 40-run partnership but once the first wicket fell, the hosts became unsettled, especially when Mayank Yadav came to ball.

The young uncapped Indian pacer destroyed RCB’s top order as they were reduced to 58/4 at one stage. Yadav picked up three wickets, which broke RCB’s backbone. Towards the fag end, impact player Mahipal Lomror’s blistering knock gave the hosts some hope but it in the end proved to be an impossible task. He barely got support from Dinesh Karthik on the other hand while Anuj Rawat made 11 runs off 21 deliveries. With that, RCB remained ninth on the points table while LSG moved to fourth on the points table.

1. Consistent Quinton knows the winning recipe

It wasn’t a high-scoring surface at M Chinnaswamy tonight. Quinton de Kock very well understood that and played to his merit. The 31-year-old was criticised for his strike rate in the last match but he maintained his composure and got 81 runs off 56 balls to give LSG a perfect start. While others may still talk about his strike rate, Quinton would be very happy to play a vital role in helping his team win.

2. You can’t keep Pooran calm

Lucknow spent a lot of money in signing Nicholas Pooran and for which, the franchise was criticised, especially given his previous performances in the IPL. However, he is a changed man now. This Pooran knows his art and knows how to get it done. The West Indies international smashed 40* runs off 21 deliveries, including five sixes in the last two overs and it was because of his phenomenal knock, that LSG could post a safe total.

Also Read - Shot of the Day - Nicholas Pooran launches Reece Topley out of Chinnaswamy

3. Be aware of Mayank Yadav

Seamer Mayank Yadav not only has pace but he is brilliant with his line and length. The 21-year-old picked up the wickets of Glenn Maxwell, Cameron Green and Rajat Patidar, which helped LSG put pressure on RCB. He has been a tremendous find and teams should be aware of him for the upcoming matches. If the Delhi-born cricketer keeps up with his form, he can very well travel with the Indian squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup.

Losing skipper Faf du Plessis said:

Spot on (dropped catches cost us). Two very good players, QdK when was on 25-30 and Nicky P was on 2, 60-65 extra runs, mistakes like that can cost you in the IPL. It is the new action you haven't faced before, and if they have pace then you need time to get used to it (about Mayank). But his ability to control length and have accuracy is impressive. I didn't think we were very good with our bowling especially in the powerplay, Maxwell brought it back and there were some pleasing signs in the death overs. You need two guys to bat through and get a partnership which we were not able to do. We need the strong characters in the dressing room to put their hand up.

Winning skipper KL Rahul said:

Overall a really good performance. the wicket was a bit tricky and there was some help for the seamers. Quinton got us off to a good start. We were 10-15 runs ahead of what we needed to be. The talk was about using the wicket and not the yorkers. It's important to stay calm. One ball hit me really hard, so happy to see Mayank bowl the way he's been bowling. He's waited patiently for a year, he's working really hard, he's really professional, has a great temperament. Bowling first has been the trend in T20 cricket. If I have a look at our record, it speaks differently. The good thing I am doing is losing the toss. If we get bowled out, if the opposition blasts out, there's something to go back and look. It's okay to lose sometimes, the first game was one such game, we have bounced back really well. This is how we play our cricket. Powerplay bowling has always been a question mark, trying to fix that. We've gone spin this game, very obvious match-up against RCB which worked. We'll try find ways to get wickets in the powerplay.

POTM Mayank Yadav said:

Feel really good, two Player of the Match awards in two matches. I am happier that we won both the matches. My goal is to play for the country. I feel this is just the start. I enjoyed Cameron Green's wicket the most. There are a lot of factors to bowl quick - diet, sleep, training. I am focusing a lot on my diet and recovery - ice bath.