CSK down RCB in run-fest at Bangalore

It was raining sixes at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore as the Chennai Super Kings took on the Royal Challengers Bangalore in a high-scoring thriller on Monday night. MS Dhoni’s side posted a mammoth score of 226 for 6 in their 20 overs thanks to half-centuries from Devon Conway and Shivam Dube, and RCB responded in equal measure, falling just eight runs short of the target in a manic run chase.

CSK’s highest run-scorer this season, Ruturaj Gaikwad, fell to a harmless Mohammed Siraj delivery to start their innings, but the visitors still managed to have a productive powerplay. A renewed Ajinkya Rahane continued his aggressive approach against the pacers with the new ball, helping Chennai post 53 runs in the first six.  

Devon Conway matched Rahane blow for blow inside the powerplay and kept up his scoring rate through the middle against the spinners. The Kiwi opener smoked Maxwell for a six down the ground and punished Harshal Patel over mid-wicket on his way to a half-century. Wanindu Hasaranga ended Rahane’s stay with a googly in the tenth over, but Shivam Dube ensured that CSK maintained their offensive charge as he took on the spinners.

The left-hander muscled Glenn Maxwell for a monstrous six down the ground and even pummelled Harshal Patel for a 111-metre maximum en route to a 25-ball half-century. Devon Conway, meanwhile, carted Vijaykumar Vyshak for three boundaries in an over before falling to a slower delivery from Harshal Patel for 83. Shivam Dube departed in the next over to an excellent catch from Siraj near the boundary ropes, but CSK’s lengthy batting line-up still enabled them to add 40 runs off the final three overs, with Ambati Rayudu and Moeen Ali’s cameos taking the team to 226 for 6.

In response, RCB lost Virat Kohli and Mahipal Lomror in the first two overs of the chase, but Faf du Plessis and Glenn Maxwell rescued the hosts with a stunning fightback. The pair added 126 runs in just 61 deliveries to give RCB the perfect platform to complete the gargantuan run chase. The duo swung for the fences from the outset, taking Bangalore to 75 for 2 at the end of the powerplay and kept their foot on the accelerator through the middle.

No CSK bowler was spared as the pair sprayed the ball to all parts of the Chinnaswamy, taking RCB to 141 for 2 at the 12-over mark. However, the game turned in the 13th over as MS Dhoni caught a skier to dismiss Maxwell for 76 before taking a similar catch an over later to remove Du Plessis for 62. The two quick wickets evened the scales, leaving 58 runs needed off 30 deliveries. Dinesh Karthik slammed 28 off 14 deliveries to take the game tight, but Maheesha Pathirana and Tushar Deshpande held their nerve at the death, picking up regular wickets to derail the chase and give CSK a narrow 8-run victory.