IPL 2021 Highlights: Padikkal, Kohli guide RCB to 10-wicket win over RR

Devdutt Padikkal notched his maiden IPL ton as skipper Virat Kohli brought up his 40th fifty and became the first player to cross 6,000 runs in the tournament to guide RCB to a 10-wicket win over RR. 

Earlier, Mohammed Siraj and Harshal Patel took three wickets each as RCB restricted RR to 177 for the loss of nine wickets in 20 overs. Rajasthan were reduced to 43/4 at one point, from where Shivam Dube (46), Riyan Parag (25) and Rahul Tewatia (40) helped rebuild the innings. 

The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) took on the Rajasthan Royals (RR) in match 16 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium on Thursday. 

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Here are the highlights of the match:

. That’s the match. Never in doubt. Class from Padikkal and Kohli as they obliterate the RR bowling for a 10-wicket win. Kohli and his men consolidate their position at the top of the points table.

. Maiden IPL ton for Devdutt Padikkal! Helping RCB run away with it. 11 fours and 6 sixes for the youngster, who scores the fastest century (in 51 deliveries) by an uncapped player in the tournament.  (RCB score: 174/0 from 16.1 overs)

. 6,000 IPL runs for Kohli! The run machine becomes the first player to get to the landmark. Is completelty on top of the opposition right now as he and Padikkal close in on a 150-run stand. (RCB score: 141/0 from 12.4 overs) 

. 50 number 40 in IPLs for Kohli! Has grown in influence as the innings progressed, getting into his rhythm and playing his shots more freely now. (RCB score: 136/0 from 12.2 overs)

. Kohli, Padikkal bring up the 100-partnership. Been a masterclass in batting from both batsmen, but particularly from Padikkal, with Kohli continuing as second-fiddle. RCB score: 

. There’s the 50 for young Padikkal. Great innings, has scored some stunnings shots so far. Seven boundaries and two maximum in his innings so far, and he looks far from done. (RCB score: 73/0 from 7.3 overs)

. That’s the 50-run opening stand for RCB. Padikkal has scored the bulk of the runs, 34, with Kohli happy to play second-fiddle. (RCB score: 50/0 from 5.1 overs)

. Patel dismisses Chris Morris and Chetan Sakariya, while conceding just seven runs to cap an impressive bowling performance for RCB. 177 might feel under-par but crazier things have happened. However, with the kind of form Maxwell and de Villiers are in, RR will need a miracle to win this. 

. Siraj gets his third, dismissing Tewatia, who has played his part well. Scored 40 off 23 and was looking for another boundary but picks out Shahbaz Ahmed at deep mid-wicket. (RR score: 170/7 from 19 overs)

. Richardson gets the set batsman Dube, who mistimes a slog attempt for Maxwell to take a sharp, diving catch at long-on. (RR score: 133/6 from 15.3 overs)

. Harshal Patel strikes to end the partnership, removing Parag. Unfortunate for the youngster, who looks to scoop one to fine leg, but gets an edge to send the ball flying to third man, where Chahal takes a simple catch. (RR score: 109/5 from 13.3 overs)

. 50 partnership for Parag and Dube! These two are helping Rajasthan recover from the early mess. Comes in quick time as well, just 28 deliveries. (RR score: 96/4 from 12 overs) 

. Halfway through the innings, and RCB have been great so far, restricting RR to just 70 runs for the loss of four wickets. 

. Big wicket for RCB, as Sundar gets Samson. Great reply after conceding a six in the previous delivery. Samson is foxed by a length delivery, which grips on the surface, and chips his drive straight to Maxwell at mid-wicket. (RR score: 43/4 from 7.2 overs)

. Siraj strikes again, this time removing David Miller. Great review taken by Kohli as the umpire originally gives not out after the ball hits Miller toe, with replays confirming there was no bat involved and a clear LBW. (RR score: 18.3 from 4.3 overs)

. Jamieson strikes to remove Vohra, who throws away his wicket with a poor shot. A fuller delivery around off, Vohra looks for the lofted shot down the ground but mistimes it horribly, for Richardson to take an easy catch at mid-on. (RR score: 16/2 from 3.5 overs)

. Siraj draws first blood, cleaning up Jos Buttler for RCB’s first breakthrough. The Englishman gets too much on the leg side and completely misses this good-length ball, which goes straight through to crash into the woodwork. (RR score: 14/1 from 2.3 overs)

RCB skipper Virat Kohli won the toss and elected to bowl first. Kohli exuded confidence in his side during his interview at the toss, saying “confident we can chase anything down”. He named a single change to his side from the one that defeated the Kolkata Knight Riders on Sunday, with Kane Richardson replacing Rajat Patidar. 

Meanwhile, Rajasthan skipper Sanju Samson said it will be a godd experience for their players to bat first. On his team’s form, he said ups and downs are part of the game, and it is important to trust yourself and your teammates. 

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He also named a single change to his side, with Shreyas Gopal replacing Jaydev Unadkat. 

Playing XIs:

RCB: Virat Kohli (C), Devdutt Padikkal, Shahbaz Ahmed, Glenn Maxwell, AB de Villiers (WK), Washington Sundar, Kyle Jamieson, Kane Richardson, Harshal Patel, Mohammed Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal

RR: Jos Buttler, Manan Vohra, Sanju Samson (WK/C), Shivam Dube, David Miller, Riyan Parag, Rahul Tewatia, Chris Morris, Shreyas Gopal, Chetan Sakariya, Mustafizur Rahman

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Kohli has led his side to its best start in IPL history, with the RCB winning all three of their matches so far. They are the only unbeaten side in the tournament currently. 

The form of Glenn Maxwell has been a revelation this season and Kohli will be hoping it fires them all the way to glory this season.

Meanwhile, Rajasthan have lost two of their opening three matches and currently occupy the seventh spot on the points table. Injury to Jofra Archer has been a big blow to the side, with their regular stars Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson, David Miller and Chris Morris inconsistent with their performances. 

Rajasthan and Bangalore have a 10-10 head-to-head record, with two matches finishing without a result.