The 45th match of the 2024 IPL season between Gujarat Titans and Royal Challengers Bangalore will be etched in memory for a dominant batting display by RCB. This encounter at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad wasn’t even a contest, as RCB chased down a seemingly daunting target of 201 runs with a whopping 4 overs to spare. Here’s a detailed look at the match, the players who shone, and some interesting facts:
Contents
GT’s Fighting Knock:
Gujarat Titans, batting first, got off to a decent start with openers Shubman Gill and Wriddhiman Saha contributing 38 and 32 runs respectively. However, the middle order found the going tough against some disciplined bowling by Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep. The turning point came with the arrival of the left-handed duo of Sai Sudarshan and David Miller.
- Sai Sudarshan:The youngster played a mature innings, anchoring the middle order and stitching together crucial partnerships. He displayed excellent temperament, finding boundaries when needed and building a solid platform for the late flourish.
- David Miller: The experienced campaigner lived up to his reputation with a quickfire knock, peppered with some big sixes. His 28-ball knock provided the impetus for a late surge in the final overs.
RCB’s Ruthless Chase:
Royal Challengers Bangalore’s chase was a masterclass in controlled aggression. Openers Faf du Plessis and Virat Kohli started cautiously before finding their rhythm. Faf departed after a brisk 32, but Kohli continued his resurgence with a well-paced fifty.
- Virat Kohli : The former RCB captain displayed a return to form, playing his shots with confidence. He targeted the spin twins of Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmad with calculated aggression, keeping the scoreboard ticking.
- Will Jacks : The young Englishman stole the show with a breathtaking knock. Initially struggling to time the ball, he patiently waited for his opportunity. Once set, he unleashed a whirlwind of sixes, reaching his maiden IPL century in just 41 balls – the fastest in RCB’s history. The unbeaten 166-run partnership between Kohli and Jacks completely took the game away from GT.
Top Bowling and Batting Performances in IPL 2024, Match 45
Top Bowling:
Royal Challengers Bangalore:
Mohammed Siraj: The right-arm pacer bowled a tight line and length, restricting the flow of runs in the powerplay overs. He finished with figures of 2/35, effectively controlling the GT top order.
Akash Deep: The young pacer impressed with his pace and accuracy. He picked up 2 crucial wickets for just 29 runs, stifling any momentum GT might have built in the middle overs.
Top Batting:
Royal Challengers Bangalore :
- Will Jacks: The undisputed hero of the match, Jacks smashed a record-breaking century . This knock, the fastest for RCB and joint second-fastest in IPL history, was a masterclass in power-hitting.
- Virat Kohli: The former Indian captain played a crucial role with a well-paced 70, providing a solid base for the onslaught by Jacks.
Gujarat Titans :
- Sai Sudarshan: While overshadowed by RCB’s dominance, Sudarshan’s contribution deserves recognition. His anchoring knock of 86* runs was the backbone of GT’s innings, ensuring they had a fighting total on the board.
Score
Royal Challengers Bangalore chased down a target of 201 runs set by Gujarat Titans and won by a convincing margin of 9 wickets.
Players of the Match:
- Will Jacks: For his match-winning century, Jacks was a unanimous choice for the Player of the Match award. His knock displayed a combination of power and composure, leaving everyone awestruck.
- Sai Sudarshan: An argument could be made for Sai Sudarshan’s contribution as well. His anchoring innings ensured a respectable total for GT on the board.
Interesting Facts:
- RCB’s Highest Chase: This chase of 201 is the highest successful run chase in RCB’s history, surpassing their previous best of 194 against Kings XI Punjab
- Will Jacks’ Record-Breaking Knock: Jacks’ century is the fastest for RCB, surpassing Chris Gayle’s 49-ball ton in 2013. It’s also the joint second-fastest century in the IPL, tied with KL Rahul’s knock in 2018.
- Dominant Partnership: The 166-run stand between Kohli and Jacks is the highest partnership for any wicket for RCB in the IPL.
Turning Point:
The turning point of the match arrived when Will Jacks started to find his rhythm. Initially struggling against spin, he switched gears with a couple of powerful sixes off Rashid Khan. This shift in momentum completely tilted the game in RCB’s favor.
Impact on the Tournament:
This win has further solidified RCB’s position at the top of the IPL 2024 points table. They are displaying excellent form with all departments clicking. Gujarat Titans, on the other hand, need to regroup and address their bowling woes, especially in the death overs.
