IPL 2018: 5 biggest takeaways from the RCB's win over KXIP 

The IPL returned to the M. Chinnaswamy stadium as Royal Challengers Bangalore took on the Kings XI Punjab last night. The two teams had contrasting starts to their IPL campaign; Kings XI Punjab led by Ravichandran Ashwin defeated the Delhi Daredevils whereas the struggles continued for Kohli led Royal Challengers Bangalore as they went down against the Kolkata Knight Riders.

Going into the tie, KXIP had the better head to head record but the hosts were slight favourites. One of the most intriguing questions leading into the match was if Chris Gayle would play against his former franchise. Ultimately, KXIP decided against it, and paid the price for it. It has only been a week into IPL 2018 and we have already seen some fantastic contests, and this match was no different. The Bangalore wicket was pretty supportive to positive cricket, and had something for everyone involved.

The match was evenly poised for a long time, but once Ab de Villiers decided to up the ante, there was no coming back for the Kings XI Punjab. RCB won the match by 4 wickets and opened their account in IPL 2018. Punjab may have lost but they had their moments, and there is no reason for them to be overtly dejected.

The match was hard fought, following is a look at the 5 biggest takeaways from it.

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#5 The Sun has set on Yuvraj Singh

Yuvraj Singh could have been the greatest T20 cricketer, but for some reason it never materialised for him. In 2018, watching him play T20 cricket is painful for the viewer, and damaging fo his team. Virender Sehwag, before the tournament, said that Yuvraj could single-handedly win them matches, but there was always the risk of Yuvraj costing them matches, and we saw that last night.

Walking in at 32/2, Yuvraj lasted only 4 deliveries making 4 runs. More than the runs, it was the mode of dismissal that must trouble the KXIP management. Yuvraj was roughed up by the short deliveries from Umesh Yadav, and the fuller one knocked his stumps down. Yuvraj made a laboured 12 in the first match, and has looked at sea till now.

KXIP has good bench strength and if they want to make progress in this tournament, they would need to take a call on Yuvraj Singh sooner than later.

#4 Umesh Yadav rips the KXIP top order

Umesh Yadav tore the KXIP top order

Umesh Yadav has never been a really good T20 bowler, and his IPL stats were downright terrible coming into this year's tournament. When the seamer was snapped by RCB in the auction, there was a glimmer of hope that he could turnaround his fortunes in the shorter format. Yadav has thrived under Kohli's captaincy in the past, and it has been no different thus far in the IPL.

Yadav was the standout bowler for RCB against KKR, and when KXIP were running amok, it was the man from Bagpur who thwarted them. KXIP were 32/0 in 3 overs when Yadav started his 2nd over. He dismissed Mayank Agarwal with a full away-swinger, then hurried on Aaron Finch trapping him right in front. Umesh missed the hat-trick, but set up Yuvraj beautifully and knocked his stumps back on the last delivery.

He ended with match figures of 3/23, and was adjudged the man of the match for his efforts. For a team that has historically struggled with their bowling resources, Umesh Yadav's resurgence might be the thing that spurs RCB to a title victory.

#3 The home-town boys enjoy their return

KL Rahul scored a brisk 47 against his former franchise

KL Rahul and Karun Nair had a fantastic outing against the Delhi Daredevils as both men scored pivotal half-centuries. They were playing in their home-ground today, and made good use of it. Mayank Agarwal was also playing in his home ground, and while he did not set the stage on fire, he played a crucial role in giving KXIP a head start.

Rahul continued on his merry ways from the previous game, and scored a whirlwind 47 from 30 balls. Karun Nair also played the anchor role well scoring 29 runs from just 26 deliveries. Both men got out at the wrong stage, but in a low-scoring game their contributions were important in getting KXIP to a reasonable total of 155.

#4 Spinners rule the roost

Mujeeb is ecstatic after dismissing Virat Kohli

Spinners are the most dominant players in the shortest form of the game, and it was no different today. Just when it looked like Rahul and Karun were taking the game away from RCB's grasp, Washington Sundar pegged them back by dismissing Rahul. He would later dismiss Marcus Stoinis as well and ended with match figures of 2/22.

Chahal, not quite effective as Sundar, ended with 1/38 for his efforts.

For KXIP, the first four wickets were all taken by spinners, and as ridiculous as it may sound, they missed a trick by not giving Finch or Yuvraj a chance. The spinners took 7 of the 16 wickets to fall and were the most exciting bits of the match.

The highlight of the match came when Afghanistan's Mujeeb Ur Rahman bowled Virat Kohli through the gap. He was taken to the cleaners by De Villiers later in the match, but his dismissal of Kohli will forever be one of the moments of the IPL.

#1 The losing streak is over

AB de Villiers smashes one out of the park

The last time Ab De Villiers won a match playing for the Royal Challengers Bangalore was back in 2016. De Villiers was the man of the match as RCB defeated the Gujarat Lions in the eliminator of IPL 2016. Since then, the South African had played 11 matches for the team and ended on the losing side every single time.

It was an unbelievable streak, and the great man had to step up himself to break out of this rut. De Villiers walked in to bat with RCB 33/2, and KXIP's spinners all over them. He had a 54-run partnership with De Kock, and then added another 59 runs with Mandeep Singh to take RCB closer to victory. He was dismissed with RCB still needing 11 to win, but they were able to get over the line. This was the also the first time since the Gujarat match in 2016 that RCB successfully chased down a target.

De Villiers struggled for fluency throughout his innings, but he stayed there and fought it out for his team. De Villiers was 35 from 33 balls at one stage, but accelerated from thereon, and ended with 57 from 40 balls with 4 sixes.

De Villiers' innings was an exhibition in how to pace your innings on a tricky wicket, and if RCB are to do well this season, they would need to De Villiers to do more of this.

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