Rajasthan Royals vs Punjab Kings

Samson ton couldn't take Royals over the line

IPL 2021 witnessed another nail biting thriller. This time RR had lock horns with arch rivals Punjab Kings. There is something about these Royals - Kings clashes. In Royal's second game last season, they chased down 224 in Sharjah where Samson starred with a 42 ball 85. In Mumbai, Samson demonstrated contrasting show and had almost clinch the victory from the jaws of defeat.

Punjab Kings was put in to bat. PK had set the juggernaut target of 222. Punjab Kings skipper KL Rahul led from the front and played an exquisite knock to powered up their side to laid down mammoth target. Both Gayle and Rahul stimulated the innings in the beginning. After Gayle's dismissal, Hooda joined the party and got going in no time, clobbering 5 huge sixes in the middle overs. Pooran didn't disturb the scores after the left handed out for first ball duck. 

Chasing a humongous target of 221, RR needed a powerful and explosive start but it turned out to be a disastrous. Both Stokes and Vohra dismissed cheaply. Butler and Samson had laid the foundation and keep scoreboard ticking. After dismissal Butler, Samson got help from young turks Shivam and Parag. They rotated the strike beautifully and took pressure off from the skipper. On the other hand, Samson had swiftly striking the ball and continued playing his shots with the help of ingeniously timing. Arshdeep who held his nerve at the eleventh hour and bowled phenomenally and varied his pace to perfection. With 5 runs required off the last ball, Samson sliced the ball in the air and Hooda took a fine catch, helping Punjab Kings to come out with flying colors.        

RCB VS MI

Mumbai Indians vs Royal Challenger Bangalore 

Harshal and AB stunned MI in a close encounter

IPL 2021 commenced in an effervescent manner. The opening match witnessed multiple twist & turn. RCB kicked started its campaign with a thumping note. After winning a toss, RCB skipper asked MI skipper to bat. 

MI opening pair commenced its innings with  hammer and tongs. However, there was miscommunication between Rohit and Lynn which costs Rohit's wicket. Both Surya and Lynn constructed the innings and subsequently accelerated the scoreboard. Kohli reintroduced his go-to-bowler Kyle Jamineson in the mid over. He provided the breakthrough with no time in the form of Surya. Harshal Patel was entrusted with a responsibility of bowling death overs. He lived up to the expectation and produced tight lines and took 5 wickets. He also put brakes on MI acceleration. MI had set the target of 160 runs.

RCB kicked off its innings with haphazard manner and lost Washington and Padikat in a quick succession. Kohli and Maxwell steered the innings with decent striking. Bumrah and Jansen produced a wicket of Kohli and Maxwell respectively. Then RCB's chase was shepherded by AB de Villiers, whose 27 ball 48 rescued yet another sticky situation. He did what he always does.