IPL 2024: Royal Challengers Bengaluru's 2nd Innings Highlights against GT in Match 45

Gujarat Titans (GT) hosted Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in match 45 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. RCB, who are almost out of playoff qualification, registered a dominant nine-wicket victory over the 2022 champions at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. 

RCB won the toss and opted to bowl first. The home team posted a competitive total as the RCB bowlers conceded 200 or more runs for the 28^th time in IPL history. Half-centuries from Sai Sudharsan and Shahrukh Khan were the driving force behind GT's brilliant innings.

Chasing a target of 201 runs, the RCB skipper got off to a flying start and the momentum was carried on by the tournament’s top-scorer Virat Kohli. GT were blown away once Will Jacks unleashed his beast mode. The Englishman notched up his maiden IPL century in just 41 balls on the final ball of the innings. RCB are still at the bottom of the points table but they have registered two consecutive wins.

GT vs RCB 2^nd innings highlight, Match 45

1^st Wicket: RCB 40-1 in 3.5 overs

RCB suffered an early setback as they lost their skipper Faf du Plessis (24 off 12) in the fourth over. The Proteas batter got off to a brisk start against the pace bowlers and Shubman Gill decided to bring left-arm spinner Sai Kishore into the attack early and it paid off. Du Plessis tried a lofted shot but failed to clear the fielder in the deep and Vijay Shankar grabbed the ball comfortably.

1^st Strategic Timeout & Powerplay 1: Overs 0.1 to 6.0 (Mandatory – 63 runs, 1 wicket)

Azmatullah Omarzai provided a good opening for GT but their impact sub Sandeep Warrier conceded 15 runs in the second over. The Afghan pacer failed to carry on the momentum but leaked 17 runs in the third over with du Plessis striking the ball cleanly.

A bright start from the RCB skipper gave the visitors a solid foundation and then Virat Kohli's 14 off four balls in the sixth over ensured the powerplay would end on a high note. With this, the on-field umpire signalled the first strategic time-out.

Half-century: 32-ball fifty for Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli had a slow start to his innings when du Plessis was firing at the other end. However, the former RCB skipper switched gears when he lost his opening partner. Kohli, who had scored 14 off 14 balls at one stage, completed his half-century in the next 18 deliveries in the final ball of the 10th over.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: 100 runs in 10.2 overs (62 balls)

Virat Kohli took charge of the scoring and completed his fourth fifty-plus score against GT in IPL history. The right-hander brought up the team score to 100 with a single off Mohit Sharma in the 11^th over. Meanwhile, he also completed a 50-run partnership with Will Jacks, who took a slower approach.

Strategic Timeout 2: Royal Challengers Bengaluru - 134/1 in 13 overs Virat Kohli (66* off 41), Will Jacks (37* off 25)

After the first half of the second innings, Will Jacks also joined the party. The English all-rounder smashed Mohit Sharma for a six and a four in the 11th over. Noor Ahmed conceded the same result in the next over against Virat Kohli. Sai Kishore bowled the 13th over beautifully but Jacks dispatched the last ball into the stands before teams dispersed for a break.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: 150 runs in 14.1 overs (85 balls)

Will Jacks slowly took the spotlight away from Kohli as he went on to smash the GT bowlers all around the park. From 16 off 16 to 44 off 29 balls, and he completed his half-century with a first-ball boundary in the 15th over. That hit also helped RCB cross the 150-run mark.

Hundred for Will Jacks & RCB win:

Royal Challengers Bengaluru - 206/1 in 16 overs

Incredible stuff from Will Jacks and RCB. The equation was 53 off 36 balls and the visitors wrapped things up in just 12 balls. Virat Kohli faced just one ball in the last two overs as Jacks wreaked havoc in those 11 balls to smash his maiden IPL century. 29 runs were scored off the 15^th over and the subsequent over bowled by Rashid Khan conceded 31 runs. RCB chased down the 201-run target with four overs to spare and nine wickets in hand.