IPL Live RCB vs RR: Sanju Samson struck a fine hal-century. (Source: IPL)
IPL Live RCB vs RR: Riding on a brilliant perfromance from Sanju Samson, Rajasthan Royals post 217/4 in 20 overs. Samson remained unbeaten 92 off just 45. His innings included 10 sixes and two boundaries. Royal Challengers Bangalore elected to bowl against Rajasthan Royals and this decision proved correct as RR struggle on a slow pitch in Bangalore. Ajinkya Rahane gave RR a decent start but he fell for 36. D’Arcy Short once again failed to perform with the bat. RCB picked up both the wickets inside the powerplay to push back Rajasthan. The wicket in Bangalore is on the slower side and Kohli said he was bowling first as the ball will come on the bat easier under lights. Bangalore have won one and lost one game so far. This is another big game for both teams are Rajasthan also have a similar record in this edition. Due to the difference in the net run rate of the two teams, Bangalore sit at fifth in the points table while Rajasthan are seventh in the table due to poor run-rate. Catch IPL Live Score RCB vs RR Live from Bangalore here.
Highlights
Riding on a brilliant perfromance from Sanju Samson, Rajasthan Royals post 217/4 in 20 overs. Samson remained unbeaten 92 off just 45. His innings included 10 sixes and two boundaries
Sanju Samson is in a brilliant form. He hammers Yadav for consecutive maximums on two balls. This has been a superb batting display from the youngster
Rahul Tripathi hammers the length delivery from Umesh Yadav for a maximum and follows it with a boundary. RR go past 200-run mark. Yadav adds more misery as he bowled a no-ball and was then hammered for six
6 4 4 and that's how Samson ends the penultimate over. RR are 190/5 after 19 with Umesh Yadav coming into the bowling for this last over
GONE! Jos Buttler has been sent back in the dugout by Chris Woakes. Buttler didn't time the ball properly and it went straight into the hands of Virat Kohli at mid-off
Two in two for Sanju Samson. Samson hits Kulwant Khejroliya for two maximums on the trot as RR end the 18th over at 173/3. Samson is not letting go a single chance of scoring boundaries
Jos Buttler finishes off 17th over with a maximum. Chris Woakes missed the yorker as he didn't pitch the ball properly and that has been dispatched over the rope
Sanju Samson has carried his form forward with the bat and he brings up his half-century with a single. He has been in good touch so far for RR in IPL 2018
Rajasthan Royals are 129 for the loss of three wickets and this is the time to make a move. 15 overs bowled in the innings and umpire signals the strategic timeout
Sanju Samson gets down on one knee and pulls Pawan Negi for a big, big six. Rajasthan Royals need more of those and both Samson and Jos Buttler are capable of doing it
Yuzvendra Chahal returns and removes Ben Stokes! Rajasthan Royals have lost a very important wicket here. Chahal with most wickets for RCB now
Ben Stokes doing it for Rajasthan. 15 runs off the 12th over and much needed for RR. Eight wickets in hand and Royals have a big advantage going into the second half of the innings
At the halfway stage, Rajasthan are 86 for the loss of two wickets. This is a slow innings from Rajasthan and they need some quick runs in the middle overs.
Time for the teams to rework their strategies. After nine overs, Rajasthan are 68 for the loss of two wickets. A slow start but they would like to move on from this. Stokes and Samson are at the crease
WICKET! Yuzvendra Chahal gets his first wicket as well! Short tries to cut the ball but that is no length for it. He gets a thick outside edge and it caught behind
Six over bowled and Bangalore are 52 for the loss of one wicket. This a very good start from Rajasthan on this slow pitch. If they can keep wickets in hand, a big total can be posted
GONE! Spoke too soon, didn't we? Rahane is caught at mid-on after a lazy shot off Woakes. A slower delivery from Woakes which Rahane wanted to play straight but this went straight to mid-on
Rahane has been criticised for his slow scoring rate in this IPL. But today he has turned it around. He is already on 36* off 19 balls. Brilliant start from him
Royal Challengers Bangalore players are in green jerseys today against Rajasthan Royals and there is a reason. Here's why RCB are in green.
Ajinya Rahane takes the ariel route and gets some boundaries for Rajasthan. A sweep through fine leg for four and then a six over long on. Rajasthan 22 for no loss after 3 overs
This is very ugly for Rahane. He finishes a run and then straightaway is down on the pitch. The physio is out on the ground. Cramps?
Ajinkya Rahane and D'Arcy Short are playing watchful cricket in the middle. After two overs, Rajasthan are 9 for no loss. It's very hot in Bangalore
Virat Kohli and his team are in a huddle near the boundary ropes. Rajasthan Royals openers Ajinkya Rahane and D'Arcy Short are ready for the first ball which will be bowled by Washington Sundar
Rajasthan Royals are going in with the same team for this game while Royal Challengers Bangalore have made one change to their playing XI. Pawan Negi comes in place of Sarfaraz Khan
Virat Kohli wins the toss again and elects to bowl. Bangalore chased in their last game as well and once again Virat decides to do the same. Eyeing a hot day and "ball coming easier on the bat under lights", Kohli says hence the decision.
This is the second time this pitch will be used in IPL. It's dry and the conditions are hot in Bangalore. Matthew Hayden says bat first and then hope the bowlers can use the dry surface to their advantage and win it. Promises to be a thrillier
Welcome to the coverage of Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Rajasthan Royals in Bangalore. The M Chinnaswamy Stadium is all geared up for this big match. Virat Kohli vs Ajinkya Rahane!