By Razeen Gutta
Royal Challengers Bengaluru raced to back-to-back wins for the first time in this season’s Indian Premier League with a nine wicket victory over Gujarat Titans on Sunday.
With no room for error if Faf du Plessis and company are to have any chance of qualifying for the IPL playoffs, it was time for their most dominant performance yet.
Opting to bowl first, RCB started well in Ahmedabad, with Swapnil Singh (1/23) striking early to dismiss Wriddhiman Saha.
The return of Glenn Maxwell to the side to add some batting depth turned out to be more of a help in the bowling department as the Australian picked the all-important wicket of Shubman Gill for just 16 off 19 balls.
Mohammed Siraj (1/34) enjoyed another good game since his return to form, dismissing Shahrukh Khan for 58 off 30.
Sai Sudharsan simply could not be beaten, though, hitting eight fours for his 84 off 49 to help the Titans to what they hoped would be a fighting total of 200/3 on another batting deck.
The target turned out to be well below-par.
The visitors just never looked uncomfortable, with Virat Kohli (70 off 44) setting the tone at the top and, once again, staying at the crease until the very end.
Will Jacks came in at one down, and after playing at a run a ball for his first 16 deliveries, went absolutely beserk at the back end.
The Englishman hit 83 in his last 24 balls to secure a remarkable 41-ball century and guide RCB home in just 16 overs — the fastest successful 200+ run chase in IPL history.
In the later game, Sunrisers Hyderabad were comprehensively beaten by the Super Kings as MS Dhoni’s men made 212 in the first innings before bowling out the high-flying Sunrisers for just 134 in Chennai.
On Monday, the Kolkata Knight Riders take on the Delhi Capitals before the Lucknow Super Giants host the Mumbai Indians in Tuesday’s action.
Pictured above: Will Jacks and Virat Kohli
Image source: @willjacks9
