Winner of a one-sided contest, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) captain Faf du Plessis was thrilled with their stunning 112-run win over the Rajasthan Royals (RR) in a crunch Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 match at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur, saying the energy around the team was brilliant on Sunday, May 14.
RCB set their opponents a target of 171 and then the RCB bowlers dismissed the Royals for 59, the third-lowest total in the history of the IPL.
"It was really good. We needed it, in terms of the NRR," Faf du Plessis said. "Hopefully we can set it up for that last game against GT at the Chinnaswamy. Today was really good for the team and I am sure everyone will be extremely motivated for the next two matches," the South African added.
"That (setting the intensity high) is a non-negotiable for us. Everyone celebrating with real passion, that is very nice to see," he added.
For RCB, Anuj Rawat, who kept wickets, was at his best with the gloves while new-ball bowlers Siraj and Parnell shone with the ball. Michael Bracewell picked up two wickets on his return to the side as RCB never took the foot off the pedal in the crunch clash.
RCB were at their best from the get-go as the visiting side executed their plans to perfection after winning the toss and opting to bat first. RCB stitched a 50-run opening stand after which Virat Kohli fell for 18. However, captain Du Plessis went on to hit his 4th fifty of the season and take his run tally past 600 in IPL 2023, extending his lead in the Orange Cap race.
The big victory put the side back in contention for the playoffs. Their next challenge will see them take on the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) away from home on May 18 before they finish their group stage with a crunch game against the defending champions in Bengaluru on May 21.
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