IPL 2022: Karthik, Shahbaz Star In Bangalore's 'Royal' Four Wicket Win Over Rajasthan

An outstanding finish by Dinesh Karthik and Shahbaz Ahmed helped Royal Challengers Bangalore beat Rajasthan Royals by four wickets in the 13th match of the IPL 2022 at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. 

Chasing 170, Faf du Plessis and Anuj Rawat gave RCB a steady start, scoring 48 runs inside the powerplay without losing a wicket. The duo added 55 runs for the opening wicket in seven overs before Yuzvendra Chahal removed du Plessis for 29. 

In the next three overs, RCB got reduced to 62/4 with Anuj, Virat Kohli, and David Willey back in the pavillion. While Anuj got caught behind off Navdeep Saini, Kohli got run out and on the next delivery, Chahal bowled Willey with a beauty. 

Sherfane Rutherford, too, couldn't do much and got out scoring 5 in 10 balls. 

RCB were in trouble at 87/5 in 12.3 overs when Dinesh Karthik joined Shahbaz Ahmed at the crease. Karthik smacked R Ashwin for 21 runs in the 14th over to get going. Ahmed also joined his partner and began picking on the bowlers. 

The duo added 67 runs in 33 balls to take RCB to the brink of the finishing line. Ahmed scored 45 in 26 balls with the help of four fours and three sixes before Trent Boult got him out. But it was too late for RR to make a comeback as Karthik and Harshal Patel finished the run-chase with five balls to spare. Karthik remained unbeaten on 44 from 23 balls including seven fours and a six. 

Earlier, Jos Buttler and Shimron Hetmyer took Rajasthan to 169/3 in the first inning. Buttler scored an unbeaten 70 in 47 balls while Hetmyer made 42 from 31 balls. The duo added 83 runs in 51 balls for the fourth wicket and give a terrific finish to RR's inning where they hammered 42 runs in the last two overs. 

Devdutt Padikkal played a crucial knock of 37 in 29 balls after Yashaswi Jaiswal fell early. Padikkal added 70 runs in 49 balls with Buttler to set up the base for the Royals' inning. 

Brief Scorecard: 

Also Read: IPL 2022 - Scorecard

Rajasthan Royals - 169/3 
Royal Challengers Bangalore - 173/6 in 19.1 overs