A spirited performance from their bowlers saw Royal Challengers Bengaluru outclass Chennai Super Kings by 27 runs to qualify for the play-offs.
Royal Challengers Bangalore began their pre-tournament camp without their numero uno Virat Kohli, who might take a few more days to join before the team starts its IPL campaign against reigning champions Chennai Super Kings on March 22.
RCB on paper look like a team that can make it to the playoffs and with Dinesh Karthik playing his last IPL, Faf turning 40 and Kohli and Maxwell in their mid-thirties, the Challengers will be determined to win it for the veterans of the team.
An out of sorts Rohit Sharma will strive to keep himself relevant going forward in the Indian Premier League when he is challenged by Delhi Capitals' effective troika of spinners in Mumbai Indians' next match in Delhi on Sunday.
'He's amazing, he trains hard, he's very fit.'
RCB head coach Andy Flower too was happy with the acquisitions.
'Rinku supported Zeeshan a lot during UP T20 league. A leg-spinner needs a lot of confidence from his captain. He was brought into bowl at crucial junctures and that helped him catch attention of scouts.'
After losing seven of their first eight matches, RCB have embarked on a superb five-match winning spree.
Fresh from their morale-boosting win over LSG, and bolstered by the return of India wicketkeeper-batter K L Rahul, Delhi Capitals will look to build on the momentum when they take on formidable Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL match in Visakhapatnam on Sunday.
A pleased Chennai Super Kings skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad termed Faf du Plessis and Glenn Maxwell's quick dismissals as the turning point of their IPL opener against Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Stationed at mid off, Du Plessis 'flew' with his right hand stretched out to pluck it out of the air. The 39 year old timed his jump to perfection as he was 2.3 metres off the ground when he grabbed the ball.
In 16 matches (15 innings) against CSK, he has amassed 630 runs at an average of 45 and a strike rate of 142.85, including six fifties.
IMAGES from the Indian Premier League match played between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Delhi Capitals in Bengaluru on Thursday.
Du Plessis feels RCB were few runs short of a winning score as the dew played a big part in the second innings.
Faf du Plessis was a relieved man after his team snapped a six-game losing streak with a 35-run win over Sunrisers Hyderabad
RCB next takes on Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad on Sunday before returning home against the same side on May 4.
IMAGES of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Sunrisers Hyderabad IPL match at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Monday.
None of the Indian pacers made an impression on a surface where one needed to bend his back to get the extra bounce.
'The more number of times you reach the playoffs, the probability of winning the championship is quite near.'
Joburg Super Kings and Pretoria Capitals claimed crucial victories over Durban's Super Giants and Sunrisers Eastern Cape respectively in the Betway SA20.
Newly-appointed Royal Challengers Bengaluru captain Rajat Patidar on Thursday said he would want to pick talisman Virat Kohli's brains to learn the nuances of leadership and stressed on the importance of "standing with players" in all circumstances.
Maxwell revealed he received a call from RCB's Director of Cricket, Mo Bobat, and head coach Andy Flower, informing him of the decision.
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Punjab Kings had a horror day on the field as they put down four catches against Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
IMAGES from the Indian Premier League match played between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujarat Titans in Bengaluru, on Saturday.
The jubilant Royal Challengers Bangalore celebrated their victorious Women's Premier League team in grand style on Tuesday.
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With five consecutive defeats, bottom-placed RCB have the daunting task of winning their remaining seven games to keep their play-off prospects alive.
Needing 10 off 2, Jadeja was the man who could take CSK into the play-offs. But Dayal bowled two dots on the trot to knock CSK out of the tournament.
Rovman Powell's hands were the safest pair of hands on the field on Wednesday.
The RCB fans, who have stuck with the team despite the ups and downs, had a party time at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Sunday.
Images from the IPL match between Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore, at the Wankhede stadium in Mumbai, on Thursday.
Shahrukh, who was dismantling the RCB attack with his big hitting, was left speechless by Siraj's perfectly executed yorker. The delivery, clocked at a searing 140 kph, possessed just enough late reverse swing to find the gap between bat and pad. It sent Shahrukh's middle and off stumps flying, bringing a screeching halt to his blistering knock.
Unbeaten fifties from opener Yaseen Valli and Jean du Plessis helped South Africa 'A' earn a draw against India 'A' on the fourth and final day of the first Unofficial Test.
Rajat Patidar's name is doing rounds within RCB circles as their prospective captain for IPL 2025.
Rajasthan Royals will face a stern test of character as they look to arrest a shocking slide in a do-or-die IPL Eliminator against an in-form RCB.
Faf du Plessis and Mohammed Siraj posted match-winning performances as RCB clinched a 24-run win over PBKS.
'RCB should take this chance. Somehow convince Rohit and make him the captain.'
'It's one of the most iconic cricket grounds in the world,' RCB Captain Faf du Plessis declared. 'So unique -- almost walk out of the changing room and you have a smile on your face.'
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