END OF OVER:
18 | 11 Runs | RR: 202/4 | RR: 11.22

  • Dhruv Jurel81 (43b)
  • Ravindra Jadeja24 (25b)
  • Romario Shepherd2-0-18-0
  • Bhuvneshwar Kumar4-0-37-0

12:26am That will be all from us for tonight. But there is a bumper IPL weekend in store, with two double-headers lined up. We will be back at it in the afternoon on Saturday, with the Punjab Kings taking on the Sunrisers Hyderabad. Until then, from all of us here at ESPNcricinfo, it is goodbye!

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Player of the Match: (On if he will be cutting a cake having not done so on his birthday due to sleeping early) Not today (laughs). Have to sleep early today because have an early flight tomorrow (smiles). I just try to do what I do in practice and try not to do extra, and back my natural game. (On facing Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar and Hazlewood) Back of the mind, it is there (on who is bowling). I try to play the ball and not the bowler, and play my game. My dad, my coaches, my guardian Romi sir here, they keep telling me that the journey is long, and to focus on my process and my game, without diverting my mind to different things. (On his disappointment at getting dismissed) If I am at the wicket, 10-20 runs extra can be scored or a target can be chased (1-2 overs earlier). That is what I get upset about - that I could play a little longer.

Riyan Parag, RR captain: Keeping previous years in mind, we were not up to the mark (at this venue) but today was very clinical. The way we bowled, the way we started, we would have taken 200 but still felt 20 above par (because of the wickets we took through the middle). Should have restricted them to 170ish. This is a wicket where not a lot of sixes are hit down the ground off the spinners. We gave room and played into the batter's hands. We put enough prep in Guwahati and Jaipur. We knew what the black soil does here. We were well prepared for any home game. Did not feel like a home game, but we were prepared. Before the start of the season, we wanted to be a team that assesses and adapts well. Having played on some sticky pitches, once we get a belter, we will do even well. (On Sooryavanshi) Everyone loves him and having him around. He likes eating stuff and going out. We try to make that available for him. He is still a kid. And he loves batting.

Dhruv Jurel: The way Vaibhav batted (and Jaiswal also bats), they make it feel easy and give confidence. Management has given me a chance to bat higher up. They have been asking to believe in myself and to back myself. (On Vaibhav) We just cannot believe how someone can hit it like that. We think we can not hit like that. He is a great talent. Best is to not say anything to him and we feel good that he is in our team. (On top order scoring a bulk of the runs so far) We have started well and hopefully later in the season, they (the middle order) will step up as well. If Vaibhav bats through the powerplay, it gets very easy for us.

Rajat Patidar, RCB captain: The way we started in the powerplay, to get to 200, is a positive sign for us. The way their batters, especially Vaibhav, batted in the powerplay, it made the difference. The way we are batting in last few matches was brilliant but lots of learnings from this game. (On the Impact Player sub) Venky, Shepherd and KP were there, so we had to manage those overs with those bowlers, so it did not make a huge difference (not having Suyash). When we are playing this sort of competitive cricket, there will be lots of errors. But we need to learn from our mistakes.

12:03pm A stunning, stunning run-chase. At the half-way stage, it felt that RCB had more than enough to play with. Six overs left, Sooryavanshi had made a mockery of the target. He came out swinging, like he always does, and rattled along to another 15-ball half-century. Jurel was not shabby either and their century stand knocked the stuffing out of RCB.

There was a brief period when RCB threatened, especially when Sooryavanshi fell, but Jurel showed incredible maturity and temperament to ensure there were no further hiccups. Jadeja did his bit too, and RR, having played four games, look like the team to beat. And most of that is down to their top three, which fired tonight yet again.

Kunal: "@Upendra: I love where we are in cricket today, where an innings at a strike rate of nearly 200 can be described as "measured, calm, and composed!" (I agree with you btw)"

17.6
1
Shepherd to Jurel, 1 run, that will be that! Jurel fittingly finishes the run-chase, and the Royals have cantered past the defending champions! Back of a length outside off. Jurel eases it down to long on, and that sums up how this run-chase has been, especially after the powerplay pyrotechnics. Clinical from Jurel, and RR go 4-0 to begin their season!
17.5
6
Shepherd to Jurel, SIX, dumped into the stands, and scores are now level! Juicy full toss outside leg and Jurel capitalizes. He snaps his wrists into play and shovels it over deep backward square leg!
17.4
1
Shepherd to Jadeja, 1 run, safe! Another short ball outside off. Jadeja looks for the upper-cut and picks out deep third on the bounce
17.3
1
Shepherd to Jurel, 1 run, dragged down on the stumps. Jurel heaves it towards deep mid wicket. RR inch closer to their target

Upendra: "I know if RR wins (and they are on track to do so), this match will be remembered for Suryavanshi's brutal innings. But let's not forget Jurel's measured, composed, and calm innings that guided them home."

17.2
1
Shepherd to Jadeja, 1 run, back of a length outside off. Jadeja waits deep in his crease and cuts it down to deep third
17.1
1
Shepherd to Jurel, 1 run, dug in short outside off. Jurel stands up on his toes and hacks it to deep mid wicket

Prem: "Not a single six after Vaibhav Sooryavanshi got out. "

END OF OVER:
17 | 7 Runs | RR: 191/4 (11 runs required from 18 balls, RR: 11.23, RRR: 3.66)

  • Dhruv Jurel72 (39b)
  • Ravindra Jadeja22 (23b)
  • Bhuvneshwar Kumar4-0-37-0
  • Romario Shepherd1-0-7-0
16.6
1
Kumar to Jurel, 1 run, length just outside off. Jurel drives it on the up to long on and retains strike
16.5
0
Kumar to Jurel, no run, on a length and hidden wide outside off. Jurel leaves it go and the umpire says it is fine. RR go upstairs. Just inside the tramlines and the original call stays!
16.4
2
Kumar to Jurel, 2 runs, angled in full on off. Jurel steps down the track and drives it to long on. Jurel wants the second. Jadeja initially says no but a misfield by Bethell allows the second run

Jurel good to go

Jurel is cramping up badly, and he is now receiving treatment from the physio. RR only need 14 more

16.3
1
Kumar to Jadeja, 1 run, back of a length on middle and leg. Jadeja pushes it into the wide long on region. Settles for a single this time

RR 2nd innings Partnerships

WktRunsPlayers
1st21YBK JaiswalV Sooryavanshi
2nd108DC JurelV Sooryavanshi
3rd0SO HetmyerDC Jurel
4th5R ParagDC Jurel
5th68RA JadejaDC Jurel