The most memorable matches from IPL 2009 for RCB
The 2009 IPL, which went ahead amidst all the uncertainty proved to be one of the more memorable seasons for RCB. It had everything; thrillers, memorable performances, the emergence of young talent and the old guards holding fort, which collectively saw the team making it to the final of the Indian Premier League. Although RCB lost the final in a close contest, no one can take away the moments that made the six weeks in South Africa all the more unforgettable. We take a look at three of the matches which are still etched in our memories 11 years later.
RCB vs Mumbai Indians, May 3 2009
The clinical 126-run stand between Robin Uthappa and Jacques Kallis annihilated the Mumbai Indians
RCB had won three games in their first half of the season. Kevin Pietersen, the star acquisition and the captain of the team had left for international duty. Having won the previous game against Kings XI Punjab in a thriller, thanks mostly to the bowlers choking out the opposition in the death overs, RCB were looking to gain some momentum with a second win on the bounce.
Dillon Du Preez making his IPL debut ripped out the Mumbai top order with three quick strikes. Despite the dismissals of Sachin Tendulkar, Ajinkya Rahane and JP Duminy, Mumbai rebuilt their innings well. Sanath Jayasuriya and Dwayne Bravo put together a 60-run stand. Both the batsmen scored half-centuries which lent the innings a backbone. Even after the dismissal of the Sri Lankan destroyer with the score on 83, Bravo carried on and took Mumbai Indians to a respectable 149 with Abhishek Nayar contributing 29.
Despite the target being relatively low by T20 standards, the win could not be taken for granted given RCB’s misfiring batting unit. The dismissal of Wasim Jaffer in the third over would have caused flutters in the RCB dugout. Out walked Robin Uthappa to join Jacques Kallis, and not many could have predicted the thorough domination that followed. Two well-paced half-centuries lead to a 126-run partnership that meant RCB had comfortably defeated the Mumbai Indians. The win meant RCB who were hovering around the bottom of the table a week ago, were back in contention for the Top 4.
RCB vs Kolkata Knight Riders, May 12 2009
If the win against Mumbai brought RCB back into the tournament, two defeats in as many following games meant RCB had to treat the remaining four games as must-wins. KKR having batted first put up a formidable 173 riding on the back of Brendon McCullum’s unbeaten 84. RCB had started off the run-chase in a solid manner, but the required rate had not been kept in check. By the end of the 11th over, the required rate had escalated to more than 11, with three quick wickets pushing the team back further.
Ross Taylor had been watching the innings crumble from the other end. Upon the fall of Rahul Dravid’s wicket with still 52 runs needed in half the number of deliveries, Taylor took matters into his own hands. Taylor slogged his way over mid-wicket to a match-winning 81. The brutal assault which only had to last for 33 deliveries, took the team home with 4 balls to spare. Taylor had single-handedly pulled off a heist which turned the team’s fortunes heading into the final three league games.
RCB vs Chennai SuperKings, May 23 2009
RCB had managed to reach the semi-finals of the league from a seemingly improbable position with four wins on the bounce to conclude the league stages of the tournament. The team standing between them and a place in the IPL finals were the South Indian rivals Chennai SuperKings. RCB had defeated Chennai nine days ago in the league stages, but Chennai could not be discounted with all the big match players the team boasted of.
RCB were riding high on momentum and the bowling unit did a stellar job of restricting the power-packed Chennai batting to a paltry 146. The target might have appeared small, but one cannot discount the pressure of pursuit in a knockout game. Manish Pandey, fresh of a century in his first opportunity to open the innings for the team in the previous game against the Deccan Chargers strode out alongside the Protea veteran Jacques Kallis. Pandey played some magnificent strokes which would have pleased even the most cynics of the T20 format. Stroking the ball on the ground, Pandey managed to tilt the balance in favour of Bangalore with a knock of 48 laced with seven glorious boundaries. Rahul Dravid played the anchor role perfectly.
However, the fall of both the Karnataka players within a span of 16 balls meant the game could still be stolen away. Virat Kohli and Ross Taylor put together a crucial 39 run partnership under pressure. Virat Kohli bid his time before launching the legendary Sri Lankan spinner Muttiah Muralitharan over long-on which all but sealed the win. RCB were home and dry off the penultimate ball of the 19th over. The nature of the pursuit by Kohli would be a glimpse into the future of perhaps the most clinical chaser the game has ever witnessed.
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