XtraTime web Desk:Super ABD keeps RCB’s chances alive in the IPL 2018. Not just his sensational innings with the bat, he also took an incredible catch to dismiss Alex Hales.
Kane Williamson’s rousing 81 off 42 balls – his eighth fifty-plus score in IPL 2018 – threatened to bring Royal Challengers Bangalore’s campaign to a screeching halt, but Mohammed Siraj defended 19 off the last over, which also included the wicket of the Sunrisers captain, to keep his team alive.
Facing an IPL record chase of 219, Sunrisers slipped to 64 for 2 in eight overs and the asking rate was nearly 13. Williamson then manipulated the fields and the bowlers expertly, bringing Sunrisers to within touching distance of a magical win. With Sunrisers needing 20 off the last over, he jumped across off stump and scooped Siraj’s first ball straight into the lap of Colin de Grandhomme at the edge of the fine leg boundary. Siraj did not quite nail his lengths but got away with four runs and a leg bye off the last five balls.
Earlier in the evening, AB de Villiers had also manipulated the fielders and bowlers expertly along with Moeen Ali in a 107-run stand off 57 balls, which formed the centerpiece of RCB’s 218 for 6.
Brief scores:
Royal Challengers Bangalore 218 for 6 (De Villiers 69, Moeen 65, Rashid 3-27) beat Sunrisers Hyderabad 204 for 3 (Williamson 81, Pandey 62*, Chahal 1-28).