Following Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) triumph over Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), bowling all-rounder Swapnil Singh emphasized a critical juncture in the match, noting that the ball’s pace had slowed, instilling confidence in RCB’s ability to defend their 207-run target. The victory, which snapped RCB’s six-match losing streak, came in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. The slower pitch conditions favored RCB’s strategy, enabling a comprehensive 35-run win and a strong team performance across batting, bowling, and fielding.
RCB’s resurgence was evident in their collective effort, seizing control of the match with disciplined gameplay and strategic adaptability. The favorable pitch conditions amplified RCB’s strengths, allowing them to capitalize on opportunities and outplay their opponents. The result not only marked a significant turning point for RCB in the IPL 2024 season but also underscored their resilience and determination to bounce back from setbacks.
In a post-match press conference, Swapnil expressed his delight at making his debut for RCB, describing it as a fantastic experience. He emphasized the importance of winning the game and highlighted the challenging nature of the pitch, noting that the ball was slowing down. Swapnil elaborated on the team’s strategy, explaining that spinners aimed to spin the ball while fast bowlers focused on variations in pace. Despite the target being defendable, he acknowledged the team’s focus on hitting their lengths and adapting to the conditions, particularly the absence of dew.
Swapnil acknowledged the shift in momentum within the team following the victory, remarking on the positive atmosphere. Reflecting on their previous narrow loss against KKR, he emphasized the team’s satisfaction with the win while acknowledging the long journey ahead. In the match itself, RCB chose to bat first after winning the toss. Skipper Faf Du Plessis and Virat Kohli provided a strong start during the powerplay, with Rajat Patidar injecting momentum into the innings with a quickfire fifty. Despite Kohli’s dismissal after a promising start, contributions from Cameron Green and Swapnil Singh propelled RCB to a competitive total of 206/7 in their allotted 20 overs. Jaydev Unadkat and T Natrajan were the standout bowlers for SRH, while Pat Cummins and Mayank Markande also chipped in with a wicket each.
In the pursuit of the target, SRH faced frequent setbacks, losing wickets at regular intervals. Despite Abhishek Sharma’s notable contribution of 31 runs from 13 balls, featuring three fours and two sixes, previous standout performers such as Travis Head, Heinrich Klaasen, and Nitish Reddy failed to leave a significant impact. While Skipper Cummins (31 runs from 15 balls, including a four and three sixes) and Shahbaz Ahmed (40 runs from 37 balls, with a four and six) showed resilience, SRH struggled to maintain momentum and were eventually dismissed for 171 runs in their allotted 20 overs.
RCB’s bowling attack, led by performances from Green (2/12) and Karn Sharma (2/29), effectively contained SRH’s batting lineup. Additionally, Swapnil Singh contributed with two wickets conceding 40 runs, while Will Jacks and Yash Dayal also secured a wicket each. Rajat Patidar’s impactful fifty earned him the ‘Player of the Match’ accolade.
In the current standings, RCB finds itself at the bottom of the points table with two wins, seven losses, and four points. Meanwhile, SRH holds the third position with five wins, three losses, and 10 points.