Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh), May 24: In a match that lived up to its billing as a high-octane clash, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) were outgunned by Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), falling short in their chase of a daunting 232-run target at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow.
Former RCB skipper Virat Kohli played a fiery knock of 43 off just 25 balls, cracking seven boundaries and a towering six. Kohli and Phil Salt gave RCB a flying start, but the momentum fizzled out quickly after their dismissals, leading to a collapse that SRH capitalized on expertly.
JioStar expert and former India pacer Varun Aaron emphasized the critical role Kohli plays in RCB’s chase strategy.
“As always, he started the chase strongly — he just loves chasing,” said Aaron. “But it also shows how crucial he is to RCB’s success in a chase. This was the first time they lost a chase where he didn’t score a fifty.”
Aaron praised Kohli’s classic technique and composure, calling it the backbone of RCB’s chase blueprint:
“He’s very stable, doesn’t play too many fancy shots — just classic, quality batting.”
Phil Salt, who opened with intent, fell to a clever setup by SRH captain Pat Cummins, a moment Aaron pointed out as the turning point:
“Phil Salt started off well too, but his dismissal to Cummins came at the wrong time. He should’ve just waited a bit longer to rebuild. After that, they never regained momentum.”
Rajat Patidar’s struggle with strike rate continued to raise red flags. His scoring pace hovered around 120 again, which Aaron noted as a potential weakness:
“Rajat Patidar, again, had a strike rate around 120 — his form is a concern.”
Despite the loss, Aaron believes the timing might be beneficial for the team:
“This might be a blessing in disguise for RCB — a jolt to get things in order before the play-offs.”
With the play-off race intensifying, RCB will need to recalibrate their strategy, particularly in the middle-order, to complement the aggressive top-order spearheaded by Kohli and Salt. The defeat stands as a stark reminder of the margins in T20 cricket and the importance of consistency under pressure.