To execute the way we did was really pleasing: RCB seamer Wayne Parnell on his terrific Player of the Match display against Rajasthan Royals

In what was a virtual quarterfinal between Royal Challengers Bangalore and the Rajasthan Royals at Jaipur, defending 171, the RCB bowlers were absolutely impeccable as they skittled out the hosts for a paltry 59, registering a famous 112-win for the men in red and gold. 

RCB made three changes to the starting XI that also saw Wayne Parnell come into the side in place of Josh Hazlewood, and the South African was in prime form, sending back three RR batsmen within the powerplay to completely dent the home team’s chase. 

Parnell’s scalps on the day included the big wickets of Jos Buttler (0), Sanju Samson (4) and Joe Root (10), three of RR’s best batters which put them in a situation from where there was no return. For his impressive display of 3/10 from three overs, Parnell was declared the Player of the Match, and in the post-match presentation, the left-arm seamer praised the batters for giving the bowlers a good target to defend and also spoke about his own plans while bowling. 

Parnell said, “I think credit goes to our batters. That last over really brought momentum to our side. We understood what was needed and to execute the way we did was really pleasing. All of our batters had the same message - take the pace of it and hit the stumps. To win by a big margin is also crucial for us.”

He also said, “It was a similar surface back in Paarl. I was trying to bowl at the stumps and make the batters go across the line. It is a long tournament, niggles occur, and it is about being switched on every single day.”

After a massive win against RR, RCB will next make the trip to Hyderabad for a match against SRH on May 18th, before they return home for their last IPL 2023 group stage encounter against the Gujarat Titans on May 21st.