IPL 2023: RR vs RCB Match 60

Royal Challengers Bangalore bounced back

Royal Challengers Bangalore bounced back to winning ways in the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 with a comprehensive 37-run victory over Rajasthan Royals at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune on Thursday.

Anuj Rawat shines for RCB

In reply, Rajasthan Royals began their chase on a positive note with Jos Buttler and Devdutt Padikkal taking the attack to the RCB bowlers. However, the introduction of spin in the form of Wanindu Hasaranga and Shahbaz Ahmed pegged back the scoring rate.

Buttler, who has been in excellent form throughout the tournament, was dismissed for 30 off 24 balls by Hasaranga. Padikkal followed him back to the pavilion soon after, falling to Harshal Patel for 31 off 32 balls.

With the openers back in the hut, the onus was on Sanju Samson and Shimron Hetmyer to resurrect the innings. However, both batsmen failed to make any significant contribution, falling for 12 and 13 respectively.

RCB tightened their grip on the match as wickets continued to fall at regular intervals. Riyan Parag, Daryl Mitchell, and Ravichandran Ashwin all departed cheaply, leaving Rajasthan Royals reeling at 112 for 7.

Prasidh Krishna and Kuldeep Sen provided some resistance with a 32-run partnership for the eighth wicket, but it was too little too late as Rajasthan Royals were eventually bowled out for 144 in 19.3 overs.

For RCB, Harshal Patel was the pick of the bowlers, finishing with figures of 3 for 23. Wanindu Hasaranga and Akash Deep took two wickets each.

With this victory, RCB moved up to fourth place in the IPL 2023 standings with 10 points from 9 matches. Rajasthan Royals, on the other hand, remained in third place with 12 points from 9 matches.