IPL 2021: Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) play their first practice game ahead of the tournament

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) are one of the few teams, who are yet to get their hands on the Indian Premier League (IPL). Despite having stalwarts from around the world in their ranks, Virat Kohli and Co have strained. Going into the upcoming edition, they roped in the likes of Glenn Maxwell, Mohammed Azharuddeen, and Kyle Jamieson at hefty amounts to strengthen their team.

Their opening game in the tournament is against defending champions Mumbai Indians (MI) on April 9 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Prior to the start, the team took part in a practice match with only 12 players. The rest of the players are yet to complete their mandatory quarantine period. The likes of Mohammed Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Navdeep Saini were part of the game.

Madhya Pradesh’s Rajat Patidar, who was brought for his base price of INR 20 lakhs, scored an impressive 35-ball 54. Goa’s Suyash Prabhudessai also made 25 off 15 balls. Both Patidar and Prabhudessai are yet to make their IPL debut. The team batting first were bowled out for 153 runs.

Saini conceded runs at an economy of 10 but picked up three important wickets. Chahal didn’t flatter to deceive either as he picked up two wickets and most crucially, conceded only 20 runs in his spell. The game, in the end, turned out to be a one-sided affair in favour of the chasing team.

Harshal Patel got two wickets and then played a decent cameo with the bat in hand. His all-round show took the chasing team over the line with more than two overs to spare. Patel also was given the Player of the Match award for his stupendous show with both ball and bat in hand.

Bold Diaries: RCB’s first practice match | IPL 2021

A fine half-century from Rajat Patidar, Yuzi’s miserly spell, and Harshal Patel’s all-round show: check out the highlights of the practice match on @myntra presents Bold Diaries.#PlayBold #WeAreChallengers #IPL2021 pic.twitter.com/fmuqLcfmvu

— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) April 4, 2021

RCB’s Devdutt Padikkal test COVID-19 positive

In the meantime, RCB have reasons to worry about as their premier opening batter Devdutt Padikkal has tested positive for COVID-19. He is most likely to miss the first two games and is currently in quarantine. He made his IPL debut last year and was RCB’s leading run-scorer. Last season, the Challengers were knocked out after their loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the Eliminator.