END OF OVER:20 | 7 Runs 2 Wkts | RPS: 172/8 (14 runs required, RR: 8.60)
- Ankit Sharma3 (3b)
- Ishant Sharma0 (0b)
- Kane Richardson3-0-13-3
- Shane Watson4-0-31-2
So going by Dhoni's assessment at the post-match presentation, it looks like Kevin Pietersen could be out for a while. Let's hope his injury isn't all that serious and he plays a part in the tournament. For the moment though, a big thank you to all of you for joining us on the coverage. There's a double header tomorrow. Do join us then. Cheers!
RCB are now placed third. Some catching up to do for Pune Supergiants and Kings XI Punjab
Kohli: That was closer than we thought it would be at one stage, but good to cross the line. We were playing good cricket, it just needed composure at the right moments. But I'd like to win the toss next time! Watson showed his experience, and Kane to finish off things was quite good. It was good to see the guys not panic. We spoke about 175-180, but I wasn't happy with myself, the way I batted after 30-35 balls, but I figured out it was important to stay in with AB. He kept me going and told me to play the anchor role, so that he could play his shots. The surface didn't have that much bounce to hit shots at will. AB is the best batsmen in our generation. It's a pleasure to bat alongside him. The way he communicates, he's a selfless person. He doesn't care about his own plans, but help people around him. He's a better human being than a batsman. Shamsi came in a bowled really well. One guy got out of the plane and knocked us out of the T20 World Cup. So, I told him you get off the plane and knock them out. He bowled really well. Rajkot should help us better.
AB de Villiers is the Man of the Match for his 83 off 46 balls. "It wasn't easy to get going. I maybe got away with a couple of easy boundaries. Both my sweeps didn't come off the middle, but went for six. But generally, I'm pleased with my performance. Their batting line-up was all class. Dhoni and Rahane took it deep, and we knew Thisara would keep us on our toes. He was striking it well. Happy that we crossed the line though.
Dhoni: We lost three wickets for nothing. Faf got out, then KP got injured, and Steven Smith got run-out. It was a par-plus score. With three batsmen back in, I thought the target was difficult to achieve. But I'm happy with the way we came close. KP's injury can be a blessing in disguise. We're playing with six bowlers, yet our death bowling isn't great. Maybe we can look to bring in Albie Morkel or Mitch Marsh in the next game. With the kind of players we've got, it has always been difficult to drop someone. We need to strengthen our bowling line a bit. I feel overall with less pressure and a few more games, M Ashwin will get better. Not really fussed with these results. I personally feel, we have to improve in all three departments. We have to admit there are a few slow fielders in the team, but as long as they are safe fielders and take their catches, I can't ask for more.
Watson: I was a bit here and there tonight, but for Virat and AB to do their thing tonight was incredible. Some of the shots AB is playing at the moment is breathtaking. I'm happy to sit down and watch it at the moment. We knew if we bowl well, we can get home. It got a little bit tight in the end, especially when Thisara Perera was going. I was glad to get him out, otherwise the game could have been over. I wanted to bowl a wide yorker, that was the kind of delivery I wanted to get him to hit into the breeze. We haven't won a toss yet, so haven't had a choice but to defend. Our batting line-up is incredible, but as a bowling group, every game is a learning experience. I
11:40pm RCB is the only side to have successfully defended totals this season. First against Sunrisers, where they defended 228, and now against Rising Pune Supergiants. So, the chasing record this season will stand at 14 games out of 16. Kohli is pumped, but the RCB dug out is more animated than I've ever seen them. Shows how much this win means to them. For a brief while, they were given a scare, first by Rahane and Dhoni, and later by Thisara. Cricket isn't about the what-ifs, but can't help but think how different the result would have been had Rahane-Dhoni accelerated a little earlier.
Abhinav Suresh: "did anyone notice thisara's wicket was looking like a noball?? an RCB fan here." Was out lbw, not given. The game is a leveller