As the term ‘dead rubber’ goes, this game was the perfect exemplification of it since both teams had nothing to play for in this game. Both Delhi and Bangalore are already out of the Indian Premier League and this match was all about salvaging some pride.
After deciding to bat first, Chris Gayle led the innings with unnatural quietness. His will to score runs without regarding the rate was highly apparent and it worked for him as RCB started the game well and ended with a score of 161, thanks to some good batting from Virat Kohli as well.
In response, the Daredevils starts well, despite Samson falling for a duck, but in the end fell short by 10 runs. Here are 5 memorable moments from the match that don't fade away, quite like the Axe Signature range of body perfumes:
#1 Gayle-storm
In the final game of the group stage of the 2017 IPL, Chris Gayle found the form which eluded for most of the competition. Despite the fact that he wasn’t at his blazing best, scoring at a rate slower than usual, it was good to see the T20 King finally finding his groove.
With the help of three boundaries and a six, the Calypso King scored 48 runs from 38 balls and gave his team the start they wished for. A little too late to get his touch back, but it is always a good sight to see Gayle make runs.
#2 Kaptain-Kohli
Before you point it out: yes, ‘Kaptain’ starts with C and not K, but we just needed something cool to go with the name of the captain of the Royal Challengers Bangalore. This was a tournament to forget for India’s best batsman as he was far from his best all throughout the event.
It seems as though the lack of batting brilliance was a virus that spread through the ranks of the Challengers as even Kohli was afflicted by it. However, against the Daredevils, the captain rose from the ashes like a Phoenix and made a brilliant 58 from just 45 balls, hitting 3 sixes and as many fours in the process.
#3 Pat’s pace
It is always a wonderful sight to witness a pacer running in at full speed and bowling at express pace, leaving behind nothing at all while spewing his fury at the batsmen. Pat Cummins is a bowler in that mould, someone who constantly bowls in the late 140s and troubles the batsmen with his pace.
The Royal Challengers’ batsmen found it really hard to play against him and the Australian bowler was Delhi’s most economical bowler, giving away only 21 runs in his 4 overs while taking 2 wickets in the process.
#4 Watson clicks with the ball
When the rest of the superstars in the tea have clicked, the pressure to perform on the said star player reaches a point of pinnacle. As both Chris Gayle and Virat Kohli ticked with the bat, it was Watson’s time to do something and prove his importance to the team.
He might have failed to do that with the bat, but he was absolutely essential with the ball; giving away only 16 runs in his 4 overs while also taking a wicket in the process. His economic bowling really choked the Daredevils and didn’t allow them to score runs freely.
#5 Pant’s fight
While Delhi Daredevils might have lost their final game of this season, they could go out with their heads held high given that their team was filled with young Indian starlets that might as well represent the country in the future.
Of them, Rishabh Pant looks the most likely to don the gloves for the Men in Blue. His innings tonight might have not got his team the win, but it hasn’t gone in vain as the selectors now have another reason to pick him.
The young star scored 45 from 34 balls and gave it his best in order to help his team win, which they would have had any of the other batsmen helped him.
Brand-new app in a brand-new avatar! Download CricRocket for fast cricket scores, rocket flicks, super notifications and much more! 🚀☄️
