New Delhi: A sensational all-round performance from Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings on Friday powered them to a clinical 6-wicket win over Royal Challengers Bangalore at Sharjah and move to the top in IPL 2021 Points Table. CSK registered their second consecutive win in the UAE leg of IPL 2021 Phase 2 by defeating poor Bangalore. Despite brilliant innings of Virat Kohli (53) and Devdutt Padikkal (70), Bangalore got choked in the second half of their innings and could manage only 156/6 on a batting-friendly track. In reply, Chennai achieved the target in just 18.1 overs, quite a walk in the park.
Chennai registered its 7th win from 9 matches in IPL 2021 and has 14 points, equal to Delhi Capitals. However, due to better net run rate, they now have secured No.1 spot in Points Table. RCB, on the other hand, faced their second consecutive defeat but luckily remain at number three spot with 10 points. This is RCB's fourth defeat so far off 9 IPL matches, this season.
Earlier, Chennai Super Kings won the toss and invited Royal Challengers Bangalore to bowl first. In their previous match, Bangalore had been bowled out for a paltry 92, but they made a super comeback against heavyweights Chennai Super Kings. With some iconic hard-hitting batsmen to follow, both RCB openers Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikal scored fifties.
However, CSK bowling trio of Bravo, Shardul and Chahar bowled some great overs to pull their team back into the match. The way RCB started it seemed they might get to 200 easily but lost five wickets for just 25 runs in last four overs and were restricted to just 156/6 in their allotted 20 overs.
Royal Challengers Bangalore (Playing XI): Virat Kohli(c), Devdutt Padikkal, Srikar Bharat(w), Glenn Maxwell, AB de Villiers, Tim David, Wanindu Hasaranga, Harshal Patel, Mohammed Siraj, Navdeep Saini, Yuzvendra Chahal
Chennai Super Kings (Playing XI): Ruturaj Gaikwad, Faf du Plessis, Moeen Ali, Ambati Rayudu, Suresh Raina, MS Dhoni(w/c), Ravindra Jadeja, Dwayne Bravo, Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar, Josh Hazlewood