Sanju Samson carried his form in this IPL season with a stunning 92 of 45 balls hitting 10 sixes (60 runs), terrific batting by RR with 117 runs in the last 8 overs, RCB bowlers could not contain the RR batsmen with Umesh and Woakes not applying enough pressure on their own homeground. Samson, Butler and Tripati did well to post a huge total of 217 runs, Samson particularly getting most runs in the last 2 overs.
415 runs scored in total, first match of IPL season 2018 lost chasing second, fast bowlers and spinners bowled well for RR, DeKock started well for RCB, McCullum again going out early again. Kohli started off very well and was in a hurry to finish off things when things were going RCB way fell short trying to pull towards deep mid wicket, if he could have stayed there for another 4-5 overs things would have been different. ABD falling early again in the 12th over, RCB need to realize that their top batsmen need to stay at the crease in the first 15 overs. Washington Sunder did very well as a tail ender, Mandeep singh contributing as well. Gopal and Gowtham both Karnataka players did very well for RR bowling tight lengths and not giving whip for the batsmen.
RCB need to do the catchup now, they need to improve their batting execution, Kohli needs to value his wicket, they may need to look beyond McCullum who has not had a good season at PSL too this season. Your comments?
