The fourteenth edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) got off to a flying start here in Chennai; as the Royal Challengers Bangalore got, defending champs Mumbai Indians by one run.
AB-Harshal special helps RCB triumph over MI
RCB was buoyed by a late-game AB de Villiers special. Playing his first game in nearly four months, the mercurial Saffer batsman carried his side home with a quickfire 48 off 27. But it was a returning Harshal Patel- representing RCB after a four-year hiatus- who stole the limelight with a MoTM worthy performance.
The 30-year-old Haryana speedster claimed his maiden IPL fifer in a sensational spell that included a three-wicket final over. He also hit the crucial match-winning run to go along with his figures of 5/27; thus earning his well-deserved silverware in style.
While disappointed with such a narrow loss, Mumbai shouldn’t be too concerned right away; they do have a thing for starting the season slow and coming back strong. Besides, they had positives in the form of their two overseas debutants’ performances. Chris Lynn compiled a crucial 49-run knock, while South African quick Marco Jansen finished with 2 wickets.
Maxwell’s magical show wins RCB fans’ hearts
It’s rare for RCB to unearth so many positives after the opening game itself. But one development that Virat Kohli and co. can be really happy about is Glenn Maxwell’s return to form. RCB acquired the dashing Australian all-rounder for a whopping INR 14.25 crores in this year’s pre-season auction. Maxi, however, has had a history of underperforming when stakes are unbelievably high. Punjab Kings (formerly Kings XI Punjab)- Maxi’s franchise from last year- for one, can certainly attest to that concern.
Having re-acquired the ‘Big Show’ for INR 10.75 Crores, Punjab had a lot of expectations from their homecoming king in the 2020 edition. Sadly, those expectations were squashed brutally, as Maxi could manage only 108-runs from 13 games.
His lean run of form also included an uncharacteristically dry spell of sixes. Renowned for his amazing power-hitting abilities, Maxwell couldn’t manage to clear the boundary ropes even once last season. Unsurprisingly, Punjab had to let him go.
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2021, however, seems to have started on a bright note for Maxi and the RCB. In his opening game for the #playbold army, Maxwell compiled 39-runs off 28-balls in a 52-run partnership for the third wicket. His power-packed knock included 2 sixes- 2 more than what he managed for Punjab throughout the entirety of last year! One of the maximums almost made its way out of the 100m Chepauk perimeter.
Bangalore and Punjab’s fun Twitter banter over Maxwell
An on-song RCB decided to poke some fun at the Punjab Kings, by ‘thanking’ them for releasing Maxwell. Their official tweet featured a clever six-hitting pun and a camaraderie message on social distancing.
First Maxi-mum in Red and Gold and he nearly hits it out of Chennai!?
Thank you @PunjabKingsIPL. We would hug you if not for social distancing ?#PlayBold #WeAreChallengers #MIvRCB #DareToDream
— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) April 9, 2021
Punjab, however, had an equally humorous reply to the banter. The Kings returned the thanking favour by reminding them of KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Chris Gayle, Mandeep Singh, and Sarfaraz Khan; three ex-Bangalore alumni now turned Punjabi. And given that Punjab plays five of their fourteen group-stage matches in Bangalore this season; it’s fair to assume to their gratitude is earnest.
Aww and thank you for Gayle, KL, Mandy, Sarfaraz, Mayank… ?#SaddaPunjab #IPL2021 #PunjabKings
— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) April 9, 2021
RCB had the final laugh, though, with this hilarious insight on both the team’s jerseys.
Yes, thank you for inventing colours ?
And congrats on the win ??#SaddaPunjab #PunjabKings #IPL2021 #MIvRCB— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) April 9, 2021