The Lucknow Super Giants beat the Royal Challengers Bengaluru by nine runs at the BRSABV Ekana Stadium in Lucknow in a rain-curtailed 19-over game.
Chasing a revised 213 in their 19 overs, the defending champions recovered after a slow start in the powerplay, and looked on course to take the game away from the Super Giants. Tim David was going after the Super Giants’ bowlers after Devdutt Padikkal and Rajat Patidar stitched a 95-run stand to set the platform for RCB.
A moment of intuition from skipper Rishabh Pant saw Shahbaz Ahmed dismiss the dangerous Aussie batter. After being hit for six in the previous ball, Pant was picked up, telling Shahbaz to bowl it wider. Shahbaz obliged, bowling a flatter one outside off stump and marginally pulling his length back. David fell for the dangling carrot, cutting the ball straight to the hands of Digvesh Rathi stationed at point. The wicket of David, who scored 40 off 17 balls, was a key moment for the Super Giants, who clawed their way back into the game.
“Line ke bahar bhi daal sakta hai. Isko line ke bahar bhi daal sakta hai. Isko mix karke daalna padega [you can bowl outside the line to him. You will have to mix and bowl to him],” Pant was heard saying, picked up by the broadcasters.
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Speaking of the game, the Super Giants were carried to 209/3 after the game was reduced to 19 overs due to multiple rain delays. Mitchell Marsh scored a magnificent 111 off 56 balls before Pant added the finishing touches, scoring a brilliant unbeaten 10-ball 32.
The defending champions were rocked early as Jacob Bethell fell to Mohammed Shami and Virat Kohli was castled by Prince Yadav for a duck. Rajat Patidar scored 61 off 31 balls, which brought RCB back into the game before David’s fireworks. The pair of Krunal Pandya and Romario Shepherd was unable to take RCB home as Digvesh Rathi defended 20 runs off the final over.
