Sooryavanshi and Jurel make short work of RCB to make it four-in-four for RR
Sooryavanshi's uninhibited hitting was matched by Jurel's scintillating stroke play, which helped RR to their fourth straight win
Sooryavanshi's uninhibited hitting was matched by Jurel's scintillating stroke play, which helped RR to their fourth straight win
Scorer: Sudeep Poojar | Commentator: Shashwat Kumar
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)"
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."
Prem: "Not a single six after Vaibhav Sooryavanshi got out. "
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