On this day in 2009: RCB dismantle defending champions RR

The beginning of the 2009 season brought with it renewed hope. RCB had invested heavily in matchwinners in the auction. Kevin Pietersen, who was acquired for a mammoth 1.55 million USD in the auction, was also named the captain of the team. Apart from the English superstar, Jesse Ryder of New Zealand was also roped in to be the catalyst at the top of the order. Robin Uthappa had been traded in from Mumbai Indians which saw Zaheer Khan go the other way. The reinvigorated batting lineup seemed to be a cause for optimism.

The new-look batting unit faced its first challenge against the defending champions Rajasthan Royals and in a brand new country in South Africa. A brand new opening pair of Jesse Ryder and Robin Uthappa were opening the innings for Bangalore. The high hopes came crashing down to reality when Ryder was inside edged Dmitri Mascarenhas off the second ball of the innings and was out caught behind. Ross Taylor, one of RCB’s brightest sparks from the first season was dismissed off the very next ball bowled, behind his legs. When Robin Uthappa was dismissed trying to up the run rate, RCB were reduced to 17/3 in the first 5 overs. It was now up to Kevin Pietersen and the old guard of Rahul Dravid to rescue the innings. 

The duo of Pietersen and Dravid batted sensibly and over the next few overs tried to create a platform for the rest of the innings. Pietersen, however felt the heat of the run rate being less than a run-a-ball and a mistimed pull shot was gobbled up at mid-wicket. Virat Kohli, batting at 6, did not last long either and when B Akhil was foxed by the mastery of Shane Warne, RCB found themselves in an all too familiar and undesired position at 88/6 in 15.4 overs. 

Dravid scored an invaluable 66 and Kumble picked up 5 wickets as RCB beat RR

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But, the veteran Dravid, kept the innings ticking. His composed, classy innings of 66 got the team out of deep waters. The 7th wicket stand with Praveen Kumar which lasted for 22 balls yielded 31 runs out of which the seamer only contributed 8. Dravid was showing that he could bat in the T20 version too. Vinay Kumar hit two boundaries and the innings ended on 133/8. An underwhelming score, but at least something to bowl at.

If RCB were to harbour any hopes of winning, they had to get wickets early. The RCB seamers delivered. Praveen Kumar, got Swapnil Asnodkar, the attacking Rajasthan opener who had made an excellent impression on Rajasthan’s winning journey in the opening season of the IPL, to mistime a pull which was taken comfortably by Kohli at point. Kumar got another in his very next over when Graeme Smith, trying to cut, only edged it to Dravid at slip. Rajasthan batsmen found it hard to score in unfamiliar conditions. They had managed only 14 runs in the powerplay; RCB seamers making life difficult for them. The next two wickets fell soon after the powerplay in an attempt to accelerate. Mascarenhas and Pathan had a huge mix up which ended up in the former losing his wicket. The Rajasthan run-chase was in doldrums at 28/5.

But, RCB could not rest as long as Yusuf Pathan was in the middle. Pathan was capable of dismantling any bowling lineup and chasing down any target singlehandedly. RCB however, had Anil Kumble in their ranks. The legendary spinner accounted for the dangerous Pathan, when looking for a big hit, he only managed to sky one to long-off. When Ravindra Jadeja slog swept one perfectly to Kohli, the game was all but over at 47/7. Shane Warne tried to attack Kumble by dancing down the track, only to miss it completely and Robin Uthappa completed the stumping. 10 balls later, the last two wickets had both been picked up by Kumble and Rajasthan had been dismissed for 58. Kumble finished with figures of 5/5. RCB had humiliated the defending champions Rajasthan Royals by 75 runs and gotten off to the perfect start in the 2009 campaign.