We Won....Again!!

 

King Kohli Does It Again!

Good game. Virat Kohli scored another century and Royal Challengers Bengaluru marches on. Back at the top of the table now, and qualification looks certain. The next target has to be finishing in the top two.

Happy with the RCB win. Happier with Kohli’s century.

But honestly, the moment that made me happiest was that stunning catch of Tim David taken by someone who I have always supported and wanted him to do well - Manish Pandey. Nonchalant. Clean. Effortless.

We speak a lot about great fielders like Kaif, Yuvi, Suresh Raina and Ravindra Jadeja, but I genuinely think Pandey Ji belongs right up there with the very best. His catching and outfield work have always been elite.

That catch today was pure class.

A Missed Chance Amid Victory

What a match. Royal Challengers Bengaluru pushed Mumbai Indians to the wall by taking three wickets in the PowerPlay, but then allowed them to recover through poor fielding and dropped catches. Mumbai eventually managed 166 - a decent total on that pitch, but not one that should have seriously troubled RCB. The surface was not exactly a batting paradise and the chase was always within reach if approached sensibly.

But RCB rarely believes in comfort. They started poorly and lost wickets early, then stitched together a few useful partnerships to regain control. Just when the match seemed to be drifting towards a relatively calm finish, they decided to make things interesting again by losing a few more wickets. In the end, RCB crossed the line with absolutely nothing left in reserve - an empty fuel tank, several faulty parts, and nerves hanging by a thread. Splendid match. Chaotic, stressful and immensely entertaining.

I could have been there. I was close to booking tickets for the game, but first the forecast of excessive heat and later the forecast of rain discouraged me from taking a flight to Raipur. In hindsight, I wish I had gone. Matches like this are worth every penny.