RCB fell short despite de Grandhomme's effort

Royal Challengers Bangalore had a chance but they faced similar result as Sunrisers Hyderabad held their nerve to beat RCB by the small margin of 5-runs at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad on Monday (May 7). SRH made it habit to defend such a low scores in this season of IPL.

First, Kane Williamson's 56 off 39 balls gave SRH a fighting total of 146 on a sluggish pitch. After that SRH bowlers made it even more difficult with their line and length. Bhuvneshwar Kumar was the star as he successfully defended 12 runs in last over. However, Colin de Grandhomme fought hard till the end but his his effort wasn't proved enough to guide RCB home.



How RCB made mess of this run chase

By playing unnecessarily shots. RCB started the run chase on high note as Parthiv Patel got quick fire 20 off 13 balls before Shakib got him out LBW. Parthiv's wicket brought Virat Kohli on the crease. He didn't take much time to get going and hit his first boundary on third ball to Kumar with the signature Virat Kohli cover drive. He followed that boundary with a 4,6,4 in next over to Shakib. RCB scored 55 for 1 in first six overs. But once the powerplay ended, it became difficult to get runs. In this process, Manan Vohra lost his concentration and bowled out to Sandeep Sharma on a Knuckleball. He could only manage 8 off 10 balls. Now, RCB's best batsmen AB de Villers and Kohli were on the crease. Either of their wicket could have been idol for SRH but they got both of them in back to back overs. First of all, Shakib got Kohli in trying to play a pull shot but found the top edge to Yusuf Pathan at short third man where Pathan made no mistake to catch a one-handed ripper. Virat made 39 off 31 balls. In next over, Rashid Khan trapped a big fish as de Villers couldn't read googly from Rashid's hand and bowled out in trying to cut the balls. That was a big wicket on contest of the game. Debutant Moeen Ali also didn't do any special and scored only 10 runs before Kaul got him.

However, Mandeep Singh and de Grandhomme tried hard to brought back RCB into the game. RCB were needed 39 runs in last 4 overs and Williamson gave the ball to Rashid. He concede a single on 1st ball before Grandhomme hit two back to back maximum and put Rashid Khan under pressure. However, he came back well and conceded only a single on next three balls. Rashid's over could have been decisive but Bhuvneshawar Kumar and Siddarth Kaul had some other plans. In 18th over Kumar given away only 6 runs and followed by 7 runs in next over of Kaul. With 12 to defend in last over, Kumar conceded only 6 off them and handed RCB a 5-run defeat. RCB should blame themselves for playing unnecessarily shots and not chase this target down.



How SRH reached to 146 ?

With the help of Williamson's fifty. Before that it was RCB who had won the toss and opted SRH to nat first. However, SRH couldn't start well and lost both the openers in powerplay on 38. Manish Pandey also couldn't find his lost touch and lose his wicket after scoring 5 off 7 balls. But then, Williamson and Shakib put their head together and put on a 64-run stand for the fourth wicket. In this process, Williamson got his fifth fifty of IPL before Umesh Yadav got him out on 56 off 39 balls. Now it was up to Shakib to got them good total. However, he couldn't do that and got out to Southee on 35 off 32 balls. They kept losing wicket after that and could only manage to reach till 146.

Are SRH the best bowling side



Without any doubt, Yes they are the best bowling side. And they proved it in almost every match. They have the bowlers, who provided them breakthrough whenever they needed. Rashid Khan has been their consistent performer and even in this match, he provided match changing wicket by picking de Villiers. He has already received three man of the match award. In this match it was an collective bowling performance by them. If Bhuvi and Kaul were starred in the death overs, Rashid and Shakib provided the much-needed breakthrough in middle overs. On the other hand, Sandeep Sharma was excellent in powerplay.

What about RCB's bowling attack

RCB haven't been consistent with the ball despite Umesh Yadav, who has been the go-to man for RCB. However, in this match their bowling was up to the mark, where Mohammed Siraj and Tim Southee picked up three wickets each. Yuzvendra Chahal was also good with ball as he given away 25 runs in 4 overs and picked 1 wicket. However, Umesh was bit too expensive as he conceded 36 in 4 overs for 1 wicket. Although his 1 wicket was enough to get him Purple Cap (Leading wicket taker).

Kane Williamson awarded Man Of The Match for his match-winning half-century on a tough pitch.

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