IPL 2018, CSK vs RCB: 3 masterstrokes from the game

The second encounter between two heavyweights this year, Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore, ended with yet another successful chase from Mahendra Singh Dhoni, thereby taking Chennai to the top of the points table.

CSK dominated the game right from the beginning and it down to the brilliant bowling display from pacers and spinners, with the latter pricing out half of the side in the middle overs.

Despite chasing a modest 128 to win, CSK faced a minor stutter in the middle overs, but calm and smart batsmanship from Dhoni and Bravo assured an easy win, preventing yet another last over heart stopper for their fans. We take a look at the three masterstrokes from CSK skipper which were instrumental to their victory.

---

#1 Bowling spinners in tandem

When the pitch assists spin, no captain in the world can make the most of it in recent times, other than Mahendra Singh Dhoni. He proved this theory by Harsha Bhogle again in this match and breaking the myth that only mystery bowlers or wrist spinners can be successful in the shortest format.

Ravindra Jadeja was introduced into the spell as soon as the powerplay overs got over and removed RCB captain Virat Kohli with a 100kmph delivery straightening off a length, hurrying the batsman.

Dhoni brought another finger spinner in Harbhajan Singh at the other end, and it again proved to be a masterstroke by getting the prize wicket of AB de Villiers who was stumped by him.

What followed is a marathon four over spells by both the bowlers and thereby squeezing the life out of RCB batsmen in the middle overs by giving away only 40 runs between them and pricing out five wickets, restricting them to 127.

#2 Bowling out Ngidi and Willey early

Flying in as a replacement player, David Willey was handed his IPL debut in this match and made to bowl alongside another foreign recruit Lungi Ngidi in the powerplay overs. Nigidi stuck in his first over with a slower ball, removing Brendon McCullum for a single digit score.

They didn't allow RCB batsman to wretch havoc especially Virat Kohli, who struggled to time the ball against the pacers. Having bowled five overs between them upfront, they were reintroduced into the attack as soon as the spin twins, Harbhajan and Jadeja bowled out their spell in tandem, ahead of death overs specialist Dwayne Bravo.

It proved to be another masterstroke by Dhoni, as the debutant David Willey removed dangerous Colin de Grandhomme in the 14th over thereby preventing a sort of fightback by RCB batsmen.

#3 Batting promotion for Bravo

Chasing 128 to win, CSK stuttered in the middle overs losing the crucial wickets of Ambati Rayudu and debutant Dhruv Shorey. Dwayne Bravo was given the batting promotion ahead of Ravindra Jadeja to control the chase alongside Dhoni.

He provided much-needed support for CSK skipper without taking many risks and arrested the slide in the run chase. Dhoni eventually finished yet another match for his side smashing 31 runs off 23 balls symbolized by hattrick of sixes against Chahal to complete the formalities.

---

Our tournament homepage has IPL live score, Match Analysis, Detailed Stats, Fantasy Tips, Controversies, Match Predictions and much more. Bookmark it now!