RCB VS GT MATCH 52

Right then, that is it from this exciting encounter where Bengaluru keeps their slim hopes alive while Gujarat also find themselves in the same situation. Next up in the Indian T20 League is a double-header on 5th May, Sunday. First, it will be Punjab taking on Chennai at 3.30 pm IST (10 am GMT). Then Lucknow host Kolkata at 7.30 pm IST (2 pm GMT), but as you know, you can always join us early for all the build-up to both games. Until then, cheers and goodbye!

Mohammed Siraj is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his outstanding spell. He says that he was not feeling well and thought he wouldn't play in this game. Adds that his hardwork has paid off with the new ball but he was thinking of taking a rest in this game. Mentions that he dreamt about getting Saha out caught behind and exactly that happened. Ends by saying that he has played a lot of Tests and it is tough to adjust to this format right away but he is getting his rhythm back.

Faf du Plessis, the victorious skipper of Bengaluru says they have been aggressive in the last few games and taken the aggressive approach on the field. Says the bowling and fielding was awesome and he is proud of the players. Mentions the pitch was different in this game.

Shubman Gill, the captain of Gujarat says that 170-180 on this wicket would have been a good total and the way they bowled in the powerplay has costed them the game. Adds losing 3 wickets in the Powerplay compelled them to put Shankar in the mix and that costed them a pacer later in the game. Mentions it's important for them to start from zero and move on from this gameas as they keep learning from every game and hope to not repeat the same mistakes again. Says that from here on it is all about winning every game for them.

Presentation Time...

Dinesh Karthik is up for a quick chat. He says he didn't feel he would bat but that's how the game goes on. Adds that this was a very different sort of pressure as there was a lot of time and playing sensibly was the need of the hour and he backed himself to do that. Mentions that the pitch was good to bowl on initially and the rain yesterday helped the bowlers early on and it was a good toss to win. Credits the bowlers for a brilliant bowling performance. Says that credit to Virat and Faf for the way they batted and there were some brilliant strokes by both of them early on. Closes by saying that he just asked Swapnil Singh to play the ball on its merit and if it feels that sweep is the correct option against Noor then be it and he nailed those sweeps to perfection.

Earlier in the game, Gujarat posted a below-par total courtesy of an important partnership of 61 runs between David Miller and Rahul Tewatia. Vijay Shankar and Rashid Khan added a few crucial runs at the end as well. Bengaluru were excellent with the ball with Mohammed Siraj, Yash Dayal, and Vijaykumar Vyshak all getting a couple of wickets each while Cameron Green and Karn Sharma chipped in with one each. While chasing, Faf du Plessis scored a fiery fifty while Virat Kohli supported him well, but they suffered a big collapse in the middle. However, DK emerged as their saviour in this game.

Gujarat, on the other hand shower great character and belief to make a match out of this. Their bowlers were smacked around in the Powerplay but Joshua Little did manage to get rid of the opposition skipper at last. After that, they came roaring back in the game. Little was absolutely brilliant and got big wickets of Rajat Patidar, Cameron Green, and Glenn Maxwell in quick succession. Noor Ahmad was excellent as well dismissing Will Jacks and also got rid of the set Virat Kohli to make things interesting. However, they decided to give the ball to injured Rashid Khan who gave away 16 runs that changed the momentum once again and proved to be the turning point.

Bengaluru got off to an absolute flier with Faf du Plessis and Virat Kohli hitting it to all corners of the park. Skipper was the aggressor and spared no one registering the second-fastest fifty for the franchise. Kohli was playing second fiddle but did attack as well. Unfortunately skipper was dismissed but they registered their highest Powerplay score at this ground as they ended up with 92. However, after they something really extraordinary happened as they went from 92/1 to 111/5 to put themselves under pressure. Kohli held on end losing partners at the other. Dinesh Karthik came in to support him and just when it looked under control, Kohli nicked one behind. However, DK kept his calm and targeted Rashid Khan to get things back under control. Swapnil Singh also played a couple of fine shots as both of them took their team over the line.

BENGALURU WITH THE DOUBLE OVER GUJARAT! It looked like a cakewalk the way they started this chase but they made it hard for themselves in the middle. However, once again it is that man DK who got them out of trouble with good support from Swapnil Singh. Gujarat gave a real scare to the home side but they just did not have enough runs on the board and now find themselves in a really tough spot in context of the playoffs.

SIX! Swapnil Singh strikes the winning runs. Tossed up on off, Swapnil Singh uses the long handle well and lofts this over the bowler for a maximum down the ground. Bengaluru wins this by 4 wickets but not without drama.

Short of a length on off, Swapnil Singh punches this towards point for no run.

Tossed up on the pads, Dinesh Karthik sweeps this towards deep square leg for a single.

Tossed up wide of off, Dinesh Karthik reverse sweeps this towards third man region for a couple. Shubman Gill asks for a review for L.B.W. and the UltraEdge suggests this came right off the gloves and the onfield decision of runs stays.

FOUR! Bengaluru are in touching distance of victory now. Tossed up on the pads again, Swapnil Singh sweeps this conventionally for a boundary through the square leg region. The ploy to bring short leg into the action works in favor of Bengaluru here.

FOUR! Pressure reliever from Swapnil Singh. Too full on the pads, Swapnil Singh makes full use of the empty pocket towards deep square leg as he sweeps this towards the vacant area for four.

Too full and wide of off, Dinesh Karthik pushes this through cover-point and take a single.