IPL 2017, RCB vs KXIP: Sandeep Sharma’s blistering new-ball spell is the SK Turning Point of the Match

Kings XI Punjab kept their playoff hopes alive by winning their fifth match of the season. Meanwhile, Royal Challengers Bangalore plummeted to new depths by letting KXIP defend one of the lowest totals ever at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore.

The context

RCB won the toss and elected to bowl first. They were brilliant right from the start with Aniket Choudhury removing Hashim Amla in the second ball of the match. S Aravind got Martin Guptill soon afterwards and before we knew it, KXIP were 39 for 3 after the loss of Shaun Marsh in the 7^th over. KXIP never quite recovered from that start. However, a 34-run partnership between Wriddhiman Saha and Axar Patel gave them some hope.

Extra Cover: IPL 2017, RCB vs KXIP: Player Ratings

While KXIP were struggling at 119 for 7 in 18.1 overs, Aniket added to their misery by bowling a wicket-maiden in the 19^th.

Axar gave KXIP a semblance of hope scoring 19 runs in Shane Watson’s over, the 20^th of the innings. KXIP posted 138 and it looked like it would be a breeze for RCB. Except, it wasn’t! Aniket ended with figures of 2/17 in 4 overs.

The turning point

Sandeep Sharma, who bowled with swing at a brisk pace, showed yet again why he has been consistently on the fringes of national team selection. He showed great maturity, control of swing and tactical awareness as he became the first bowler in the game’s history to get the big 3 – Virat Kohli, Chris Gayle and AB de Villiers in the same match.

Sandeep got Gayle to edge one straight to point with a ball that swung away from the big southpaw, in his very first over. In his second over, he got the big wicket of Kohli, who charged down the pitch only to see his leg stump uprooted by a sharp inswinger.

In his third over, Sandeep was carted for a six by de Villiers. The very next ball, Mr. 360 charged down the ground and ended up edging a full ball to the wicket-keeper. Kudos to Sandeep for keeping his cool and sticking to his plans without the fear of being hit.

A pitch map showed that all the three wicket-taking deliveries landed in and around the same area. Sandeep bowled four overs on the trot registering figures of 4-0-22-3, winning the Player of the Match. By the time he finished his quota, RCB were 50 for 3 at the end of seven overs.

The impact

Sandeep’s strikes early in the RCB innings gave KXIP the momentum and the confidence they needed to defend the small total. RCB couldn’t put up a decent partnership at any juncture.

Mohit Sharma did a great follow-up job with figures of 2-24 in his four overs. Axar Patel, who was an excellent contender for the Man of the Match, was sensational with figures of 3-11 in three overs, getting the wickets of Shane Watson, Pavan Negi and Samuel Badree.

However, the pressure that allowed him to get the wickets was largely applied by Sandeep’s clinical bowling with the new ball. In the end, RCB were all out for 119 in 19 overs, falling 19 short of KXIP’s 138.