TABLE TOPPERS RCB: Ton-up Devdutt Padikkal, Virat Kohli power RCB to emphatic victory over RR, make it 4 wins in a row

KEY STORY

• Devdutt Padikkal and Virat Kohli powered Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) to an emphatic 10-wicket win over Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 on Thursday.

Fantastic innings from young Padikkal. And this year @RCBTweets are in ominous form, which is great to see. Kohli and Padikkal made it look very easy. #RCBvRR pic.twitter.com/fIUC9lImjP

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) April 22, 2021

• While Padikkal slammed a brilliant century, Kohli notched up a half-century to help RCB chase down the target of 177 runs with ease.

.@devdpd07 scored a magnificent ton & won the Man of the Match award as @RCBTweets beat #RR. 👏👏 #VIVOIPL #RCBvRR

Scorecard 👉 https://t.co/dch5R4juzp pic.twitter.com/cg8YBV8FPO

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 22, 2021

• Opting to bowl first at the Wankhede, RCB got off to a perfect start as Mohammed Siraj struck early to get rid of Jos Buttler cheaply on 8 before Manan Vohra was removed on 7 by Kyle Jamieson. Skipper Sanju Samson got off to a start but failed to convert it into a big score as he was dismissed on 21 off 18 balls.

• Shivam Dube then helped RR stage a fightback with his quickfire 46 off 32 balls. All-rounder Rahul Tewatia too played a crucial knock of 40 runs off 23 balls to help the side post 177/9 in 20 overs after a top-order collapse. Siraj was the pick of the bowlers for RCB  as he finished with figures of 3/27 in his 4 overs.

Award for CRED Power Player of the Match between @RCBTweets and @rajasthanroyals goes to Mohammed Siraj.@CRED_club #CREDPowerplay #VIVOIPL pic.twitter.com/VawwxDy6sz

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 22, 2021

• In reply, RCB absolutely dominated the run-chase as openers Padikkal and Kohli finished the job while remaining unbeaten. While Padikkal scored 101 off 52 balls, Kohli hammered a 47-ball 72. The opening pair gave RCB a sensational start and took the Rajasthan Royals bowlers to the cleaners.

• The duo looked in graceful touch and played shots all around the ground. Padikkal played the aggressor’s role with eleven fours and six sixes in his 52-ball 101 while Kohli slammed six fours and three sixes for his 72 off 47 deliveries. The duo made a mockery of the RR bowling attack together to fire RCB to the top of the points table once again.

1⃣0⃣1⃣* Runs
5⃣2⃣ Balls
1⃣1⃣ Fours
6⃣ Sixes

Sit back, enjoy & applaud this fantastic knock from @devdpd07. 👏👏 #VIVOIPL #RCBvRR @RCBTweets

Watch it here 🎥 👇

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 22, 2021

• RCB pipped Chennai Super Kings to the top spot with their fourth win in a row this season. Kohli also became the first batsman in the history of IPL to complete the milestone of 6,000 runs.

Milestone 🔓

6000 Runs in #VIVOIPL for 👑 Kohli 👏👏

Live – https://t.co/dch5R4juzp #RCBvRR #VIVOIPL pic.twitter.com/WxLODwE2zD

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 22, 2021

Here’s a look at the updated points table, Orange Cap, and Purple Cap standings after the 16th match of IPL 2021 –

Points table

With 4 wins from as many matches, RCB sit at the top spot in the points table. They are followed by Chennai Super Kings,  who have 3 wins from 4 matches. CSK have a better NRR (+1.142) than RCB’s (+1.009). With 3 wins from 4 matches, Delhi Capitals sit at the 3rd spot and are followed by Mumbai Indians, who have 2 wins from 4 matches.

Orange Cap

There are no major changes in the Orange Cap standings. Shikhar Dhawan continues to head the charts with 231 runs and is followed by Glenn Maxwell, who has 176 runs. Maxwell didn’t get a chance to bat against RR. Kohli, who has 143 runs, sits at the 8th spot. Padikkal is at the 10th spot with 137 runs.

Purple Cap

Harshal Patel on Thursday became the first bowler to breach the 10-wicket mark in the season. He now has 12 wickets. Harshal scalped 3 wickets against RR. Deepak Chahar, Avesh Khan, and Rahul Chahar have 8 wickets each.