RR vs RCB, IPL 2020: Half-Centuries From Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal Power Royal Challengers Bangalore To 8-Wicket Win Against Rajasthan Royals

RR vs RCB, IPL 2020 Match Today: Devdutt Padikkal notched up his fifty off 34 deliveries to become the first player to get to three half-centuries in IPL 2020, also the first player to hit three fifty-plus scorers in first four matches in IPL.

A brilliant bowling performance by the RCB bowlers and impressive half-centuries from youngster Devdut Padikkal (63 runs off 45 balls) and captain Virat Kohli powered RCB to 8-wicket win against Rajasthan Royals at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi on Saturday. The RCB side was more than delighted to see their skipper back in form, leading the side to the victory.

Royal Challengers chase began with star in-form openers Devdutt Padikkal and Aaron Finch coming out in the middle to begin the 155-run chase. For RR, Jofra Archer opened the bowling attack.

After the good first over from Archer, Padikkal took on Jaydev Unadkat as the fiery RCB opener scored 15 runs from the speedster's over. Just when it seemed that Finch might also get the same fiery start but RR's Shreyas Gopal trapped him on the pads to depart him for 8 runs off 7 balls to break the opening stand.

Skipper Kohli was the next man in and meanwhile Padikkal continued his attack on the RR bowlers. At the end of powerplay (6 overs) RCB brought up their fifty. With Virat and Devdutt in the middle, RCB now needed 100 more runs in 13 overs.

Virat Kohli has so far failed to create impact with his bat in the IPL 2020 and has struggled to score runs. After struggling to score boundaries in some early deliveries, Kohli opened his arms by hitting his first four of the day off Tom Curran's over.

Royals now desperately needed a breakthrough to put a stop to the building partnership between Kohli and Padikkal who stitched a fifty-run partnership at the halfway mark (10 overs) to control the chase.

With the required rate well under control, Devdutt Padikkal notched up his fifty off 34 deliveries to become the first player to get to three half-centuries in IPL 2020, also the first player to hit three fifty-plus scorers in first four matches in IPL.

Meanwhile, Virat Kohli on the other end smashed a huge six -- his first in IPL 2020 -- to bring 100 up  for RCB in the 13th over. The RCB captain announced his comeback by scoring his first fifty in IPL 2020 -- 37th fifty overall in IPL.

A beautiful fuller and sharp delivery from Archer cleaned up opener Padikkal to break the strong stand between him and Kohli.

Earlier, RCB bowlers controlled the proceedings like seasoned puppeteers puling strings at will to restrict Rajasthan Royals to 154/6. It was a very disciplined bowling performance from the RCB bowling unit which maintained discipline for the better part of the 20 overs with Yuzvendra Chahal showing the way.