Yuzvendra Chahal’s spell and Washington Sundar’s exploits: 5 talking points from a gloomy day in Dubai

There are days when however much one tries to sugar-coat a performance, they would fail in their attempts to do so. On a dreadful evening for the Royal Challengers Bangalore, a defeat by 97 runs did not flatter to deceive the difference between the team and the Kings XI. But, often when confronted with the bitter reality, to introspect, to learn, and to move on would be the only way ahead. On the back of a drubbing in Dubai, we look at 5 talking points from the defeat to Punjab.

Yuzvendra Chahal’s spell

The Kings XI had gotten off to a roaring start, scoring 50 runs in the powerplay with all the wickets still intact. Just when the man-in-form who had almost carried Punjab home in their season-opener against Delhi, Mayank Agarwal, threatened to open up, Chahal weaved his magic again. An immaculately concealed googly, pitching on the perfect line from which Mayank could not change his shot having committed to the drive, barged through his expansive drive and disturbed his middle and off. Chahal’s 4 overs in the middle overs of the Punjab innings at an economy rate of just 6.25 where the innings run rate was above 10 was a saving grace.

Washington Sundar and Shivam Dube

If Chahal’s spell tightened the noose on the Kings’ batsmen, Washington Sundar made sure there were no looseners on offer. When Nicholas Pooran and a set KL Rahul tried to take advantage of the wickets in hand, Sundar made sure there was no respite for the Punjab batsmen. The pressure on the Punjab batsmen told. When Shivam Dube was introduced into the attack, Pooran saw an outlet and tried to attack, but both fell in their attempts to take on the medium pace of Dube. By the end of the middle overs, RCB had pulled the game back; Kings XI’s score of 132/3 after 16 was not one which had gotten out of hand.

Death overs and dropped catches

If the middle overs and the death overs were to be visualized on a spectrum, they would lie far away from each other at opposite ends. When captain Kohli drops two catches, both of the set and on-the-attack KL Rahul, you may realize quickly it is just not your evening. KL Rahul made full use of the chances. The last 4 overs produced an incredible 74 runs for KXIP, 60 of which came off Rahul’s bat alone. The target had escalated upwards of 200, and momentum and initiative ceased during the middle overs had been conceded to the team from up North.

Early wickets

If RCB were to create a record for their highest successful run-chase in IPL history, they would have needed a lot of things to fall in place - a brisk start sans loss of early wickets being at the top of the list. However, Punjab’s bowlers extracted venom from the Dubai surface which had seemed docile for the first 20 overs. Three pre-meditated shots produced as many wickets with only 4 runs on the board. Less than ideal, one might reckon when chasing a target in excess of 200. Despite AB de Villiers still to bat, the target felt beyond reach, and it proved so. A couple of hard-fought 20s and 30s were hardly going to put a dent in the runs required column.

KL Rahul’s batting

On certain days, one just cannot help but doff their hats to the opponents. KL Rahul’s 132, the highest-ever score by an Indian in the IPL was a knock that put the game beyond RCB’s expectations.