To start the campaign with a bang was huge: Faf du Plessis on RCB’s opening win of the IPL 2023 season

The Royal Challengers Bangalore were in phenomenal touch in the season opener as they romped over the Mumbai Indians with eight wickets and 22 balls to spare. Chasing a challenging total of 172, Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis got into the groove early and took on the MI bowlers, peppering them to all parts of the park.

Scoring 73 from just 43 balls, du Plessis was adjudged the Player of the Match and he deservedly walked away with the starry award of the night. It was the captain leading from the front with the bat and on the field as he claimed a stunner to remove Hrithik Shokeen.

Speaking at the presentation, Faf said, “It was a nice way to start the way we did in the powerplay. Siraj with his tail up is a beautiful thing. The bowler stuck to their task The last two or three overs, was a bit of learning. The cutters were working really well, it was not easy to hit the ball. There was value for your shots. Credit to the groundsman. Even the spinners found something.”

He lauded the Chinnaswamy crowd that was always on its feet, greeting every single move with a roar louder than ever, stating, “It's awesome to play. It's my first time playing here as a home player, especially batting with Virat Kohli.”

The RCB skipper concluded by talking about the electric attitude in the field, adding, “You have to try and stay with the youngsters. I try to push the old hamstrings so that I can move in the field. To start the campaign with a bang was huge.”