RCB vs CSK

11:45 PM local time and IST: That is it from the action for tonight, two enthralling games and the good news is that the action simply does not stop at the IPL. Tomorrow, we move to the Eden Gardens where KKR, still searching for the first win, will host PBKS who will be looking to go to the top of the points table with Shreyas Iyer at the helm knowing a thing or two about those conditions. This is Sourabh Agrawal signing off on behalf of Pradeep and the team here, cheers!

Tim David is the Player of the Match for his scinillating innings of 70* off just 25 balls with 8 maximums: Very pleased, it does not always happen like this. The skipper Rajat was absolutely smoking it, I was taking balls off him but then to get it away and then put the pressure on the opposition bowlers was super fan. 

(On his role) I'm lucky, I do not really change my game but to get the backing from my management really helps. Going in to bat with Jitesh and Shepherd behind me really gives me confidence. (Preperations?) Very lucky to work with DK, he is incredibly experienced in these conditions. We do a lot of prep, been a part of the the IPL for a few years. Try and enjoy the good days and obviously there is going to be some bad ones but that is the game when you play hig-risk attacking cricket

(on his 106 metres six) Have been getting in trouble in training with the boys, we have competitions to try and hit them on the roof but we are on side pitches. To do that during a match from the middle, pretty pleasing.

Rajat Patidar (RCB captain): It feels great, at the same time it gives a lot of satisfaction as a team (being top of the table). Initially, the ball was stopping a bit. The way Phil and Virat battted at the start was superb and then Dev(dutt) changed it around with his intent, I enjoyed his sixes from the dugout. My mindset was pretty clear, I wanted to put the pressure on the bowler and at the same time my teammates were there too, so as I said, I enjoyed the sixes from the other end.

(on Tim David) He is a speciliast, one of the best finishers I have seen and he did the job for us in the last year as well. I was just watching the ball (on Tim David's 106 meter six). 

(on their bowling) The way Duffy bowled, he put us on top with those wickets and then KP (Krunal), Bhuvi and Abhinandan with the yorkers and even Romario with his one over, it was a wonderful team effort from the boys. (on Krunal Pandya) He is exceptional, whenever I am under pressure I look to him, I have that much trust on him. The way Suyash Sharma came in and bowled those four beautiful overs, that was great. Everyone is really pleased and looking forward 

Bhuvneshwar Kumar [Royal Challengers Bengaluru]: "(On reaching the 200-wicket milestone) It feels good to be rewarded for the work put in over the years. Reaching 200 wickets in the IPL is special, and I’m happy with that achievement.(On assessing the surface and bowling plans) It was a slightly tricky surface. While it looked good for batting at times, there were deliveries that held up, making it inconsistent. We focused on sticking to our basics and executing the plans we’ve been working on since last season.(On adjustments during his spell) In the second spell, I kept things simple and focused on hitting the deck. The ground conditions were quite heavy, and I was cramping a bit, so it made sense to stick to a straightforward approach.(On the bowling unit’s performance) As a unit, we’re coming together well. The key has been clarity and discipline—doing what we discuss in team meetings and executing against specific opponents. It’s not an easy ground to bowl on, but our preparation is paying off.(On Tim David’s innings) It was an outstanding knock. Watching it, you’re not quite sure whether to enjoy it or worry about having to bowl next, but full credit to him.

Ruturaj Gaikwad [Chennai Super Kings captain]: "(On the team’s batting effort and his own performance) We didn’t get off to the best start, but the fight shown by the middle and lower order—Sarfaraz, Prashant Veer, Overton, and Shivam—was commendable. Personally, I feel I could have contributed more at the top, and perhaps that might have made the difference. I take responsibility for that.(On the opposition’s late surge) I think we were very much in the game for a long period. The bowlers did well, and we had our chances, including a close call early on. But credit to Tim David—once he got going, he was exceptional and took the game away from us.(On key moments and momentum shift) We had opportunities in the powerplay, and an early wicket could have given us the momentum. Even then, we were in control until around the 13th or 14th over, which is when the game started to slip. That phase proved decisive.(On the bigger picture in the tournament) It’s still early in the tournament, and there’s a long way to go. We’ll look to regroup, make the necessary adjustments, and come back stronger in the next games.

11:15 PM local time and IST: MATCH SUMMARY

RCB (250/3 in 20 overs) beat CSK (207 all-out in 19.4 overs) by 43 runs

Tim David 70*(25) | Bhuvneshwar Kumar 3/41(4)
Sarfaraz Khan 50(25) | Shivam Dube 1/30(2)

RCB have brushed aside CSK with ease in their home, the defending champions make it two out of two to kickstart their campaign and for the first time ever they have won 4 matches in a row against CSK. Yet another clinical performance from the home team, they have got to thank the beast of a man Tim David is who almost single-handedly took the entire CSK bowling apart with some sadistic hitting at the death with the bat

As a result of this, RCB have moved back to the top of the points table courtesy of a better NRR than RR, DC and PBKS who also have 2 wins out of two. CSK are yet to register a win, they have now registered a hat-trick of losses at the beginning of the season for just the second time ever and remain firmly rooted to the foot of the points table

To be fair to CSK, they did got closer than it looked like at one stage. Their top-3 were blown inside the first 3 overs with the score on just 30, Duffy and Bhuvi shook them right at the start of the chase a target like this was always going to be a bit too many from their on.

Sarfaraz looked the part yet again, he smacked the bowling around and got to a fifty inside the powerplay in just 24 balls. However, he was dismissed on the first ball after the powerplay by Krunal Pandya who delivered another blow in the same over. Young Prashant Veer impressed with a 29-ball 43 and there were cameos from Dube and Overton but the mountain was too big to climb

Suyash Sharma impressed in the middle overs, he bowled 4 overs giving away just 21 runs and Bhuvi registered a milestone of his own becoming just the first pacer and overall the second bowler to take 200 IPL wickets and in the end CSK were bowled out in the final over if their innings

19.4 Abhinandan Singh to Matt Henry, OUT! PICKED OUT DEEP MID-WICKET! RCB hand a proper thrashing to CSK! That's it, it's all over. Short into the batter, Henry pulled that one away, but Salt runs across at deep mid-wicket and takes a good catch. Comprehensive win, RCB make it two in two and CSK lose their third game in a row.

19.3 Abhinandan Singh to Anshul Kamboj, OH! Just evades Abhinandan and falls safely. Banged in short, Kamboj looks to pull, skied it into the off-side. Abhinandan runs across, but couldn't reach in time.

CSK have gone past 200, second time in two games which is a silver lining for them. They are going to lose comprehensively again and RCB are on the verge of completing a second big win on the trot to get their season started

18.5 Jacob Duffy to Anshul Kamboj, SIX! BAM! Great connection from Kamboj. Short outside the off-stump, but was pace off. Kamboj powered the pull over deep square-leg for a maximum.