RR VS RCB T20S

That is it from yet another fascinating encounter and the look of the points table changes yet again. There is one more game to go on this doubleheader Sunday as Chennai take on Kolkata in Chennai. You can simply switch tabs and catch our coverage of that game and keep on enjoying all the cricketing action. Cheers!

Wayne Parnell (3-0-10-3) is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his sensational spell with the ball. Parnell starts by praising the batters, who set the tone at the fag end of the innings. Mentions that the message from their batters was clear at the halfway mark, they just told him to not offer much pace and keep attacking the stumps consistently. Informs that fielding is very important, and it was really great to see the manner in which the players supported the bowlers. Ends by saying that despite remaining on the sidelines, it all about remaining switched on whenever a chance comes knocking at the door.

The Bangalore skipper, Faf du Plessis says that this win is really good for their net run rate and feels that it was a difficult pitch to bat on. Adds that it was keeping low and they thought 160 was a good score but that late blitz pushed them over that score. Mentions that they haven't been able to close off the innings well with the bat but Anuj Rawat managed to do that in this game. Says that it is non-negotiable to be sloppy in the field and it is good to see the blokes celebrating with passion. On the bowling, he says that they thought finger spinners on this pitch had more ability to bowl on the right lengths than the wrist spinners and that is why they also brought on Shahbaz Ahmed but almost always there was a left-hander on the crease because of which he didn't bowl. Ends by saying that the next couple of games are vital, especially the last game at home and they will look to win.

The Presentation ceremony...

Michael Bracewell, one of the stars with the ball for Bangalore, is down for a chat. He starts by saying it was nice to get these two points and is delighted to contribute to the side in a winning cause. Bracewell credits the top order, who kept the runs ticking which allowed the lower-order batters to apply the finishing touches. Informs that he tries to not get caught up with the highs and lows of the game. Adds that there were a couple of niggles in the side, which allowed him to sneak into the side. States that they have two more must-win matches for them, and tells that this side thrives under pressure.

Sanju Samson, the skipper of Rajasthan is in for a chat. Starts by saying that they normally go hard in the Powerplay but it didn't go well today. Adds that the nature of T20 cricket is such that they need to start strong with the bat inside the Powerplay. Feels that it could've been a very tight match if they had batted well. Informs that he does not have any answers for how did this batting collapse happen. States that the nature of the Indian T20 League is such that anything can happen at any time. Tells that they will need to bring the best when they play in Dharamsala later on.

Earlier in the game, Faf du Plessis had no hesitation batting first on a wicket that looked to be slowing down throughout the course of play and it certainly did. Bangalore did well to not lose an early wicket but Virat Kohli did get out soon after the Powerplay. After that, it was yet another stellar stand between Faf du Plessis and Glenn Maxwell that made sure the scoreboard kept ticking along. The skipper though soon got out after reaching his 50 and Rajasthan managed to pick up wickets in a heap. Anuj Rawat though played a sensational cameo and took the total to 171, an above-par score on this particular deck. Adam Zampa and Sandeep Sharma bowled very well and were consistent. KM Asif got big wickets but the final over he bowled, cost his side the momentum. Coming to the chase, Rajasthan failed to put up a fight and the Bangalore bowlers took their side over the line without breaking a sweat.

Rajasthan will still be wondering what happened out there in the middle and they will be as shocked as all cricketing fans. Yashasvi Jaiswal who scored a brilliant ton in the previous game got out for a duck and Jos Buttler soon followed him back to the hut. The skipper Sanju Samson then got out playing an unnecessary big shot and from thereon, everything just crumbled. Only Joe Root and Shimron Hetmyer managed to get into double figures and the latter was the only one who was able to take on the opposition bowlers. After the last game, it looked like Rajasthan were back but this game has just sent them firmly on the back foot and also on the verge of being knocked out.

Bangalore had the impetus coming into the chase, thanks to a sublime finish with the bat by Anuj Rawat and they made good use of the early momentum. Mohammed Siraj sent back the dangerous Yashasvi Jaiswal in the first over and then Wayne Parnell got rid of Jos Buttler and Sanju Samson in the very next over. Once they got the top three, Bangalore piled on the pressure and then the slower bowlers came to the fore and just ran through the Rajasthan batting order. Parnell was the pick of the bowlers as he picked up three wickets with the likes of Michael Bracewell and Siraj also bowling really well. All their bowlers got onto the wicket's column and all in all, it was a special outing in the field for them.

WOW! WHAT A CRAZY GAME! Bangalore have had an unbelievable outing with the ball and have won the contest by a big, big margin. It was almost a quarterfinal game and Bangalore held their nerve extremely well whereas Rajasthan simply crumbled under pressure and are all but knocked out of the competition.

OUT! CAUGHT! THAT IS IT! GAME OVER! Karn Sharma picks up two quick wickets in this over, the final two that Rajasthan had in hand. It is tossed up, on off. KM Asif gets down on one knee and lofts it high up in the air. Asif does not get the desired distance on it. Virat Kohli settles under it at long on and takes a simple catch to bring this game to an end. Bangalore win by 112 runs.

Quicker and full, on off. Karn Sharma defends it out watchfully.

OUT! TIMBER! Another one bites the dust. It is tossed up, around off. It grips and turns away a touch. Adam Zampa tries to be cheeky but pays the price instead. He goes for the reverse-hit but ends up no where near the ball. It sneaks through the gap to damage the stumps. Also, KM Asif is the last man in for Rajasthan.

Fuller, on off. Sharma defends it out solidly. A successful over from Sharma comes to an end.

Sandeep Sharma comes to the crease now.

OUT! CAUGHT! This should be final nail in the coffin. It is tossed up, on middle. Shimron Hetmyer gets low and tries to find the boundary before he takes a single off the final delivery, to retain the strike - Well, this could've been an ideal scenario for Rajasthan, but that was not the case this time. Shimron Hetmyer ends up giving away his wicket and that so be game done from Rajasthan's point of view. Michael Bracewell takes a sharp catch at long on, near the ropes.

Floated and full, on off. Shimron Hetmyer defneds it back to the bowler.