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Riding on skipper Faf du Plessis' cracking 96 and Josh Hazlewood's exceptional spell, the resurgent Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) sent Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) by 18 runs in their Indian Premier League match on Tuesday (April 19).
Du Plessis was all guns blazing as he was seen in his elements in a magnificent 64-ball knock to help RCB post 181 for six after being sent into bat. Australian speedster Hazlewood (4/25) then doubled it up as he snared two wickets upfront and two at the fag end as RCB restricted LSG to 163 for eight to register their fifth win of the season.
But a bizarre incident took place during the match where Hazlewood said he "got pretty lucky" with his very wide delivery that was not adjudged wide by the umpire, which further led to Marcus Stoinis' scalp which proved crucial in RCB's win.
"I tried to turn around and get back to my mark as quick as I could. I got pretty lucky on that one so I might have to get him a beer after that," Hazlewood said at the post-match presentation ceremony.
While chasing a target of 182 and with six wickets down at the score of 135 Stoinis got into the pitch. But before he could do any damage to the opponent, Stoinis got out in the second ball of the 19th over after he shuffled way too much outside off, an act prompted by the previous Hazlewood delivery that landed almost off the pitch.
With Stoinis going way across, the pacer went beyond the tramline and bowled it way outside off but the umpire, instead of calling it wide, deemed the delivery legal, much to the batter's chagrin.
The Australian quick, who was consistent with his line and length, bowled a frugal spell, giving away just 25 runs. Meanwhile, Harshal Patel (2/47) picked up two wickets while Mohammed Siraj (1/31) and Maxwell (1/11) accounted for a batter each which helped RCB pocket a comfortable 18-run victory which spurred them grab second spot in the points table while LSG slumped to fourth.
