RCB’s Virat Kohli fails again

Royal Challengers Bangalore batsman Virat Kohli walks back to the pavilion after his 10-ball nine against RR yesterday. Pics/BCCI; IPL

Virat Kohli's wretched form continued as he was dismissed for a 10-ball nine in the second over against the Rajasthan Royals at the MCA Stadium here.

Kohli fell to a short delivery by pacer Prasidh Krishna and was caught at backward point by Riyan Parag. Interestingly, Kohli had escaped in the first over when he edged one towards Daryl Mitchel at square leg off Trent Boult but the ball fell just short of the fielder.

Hazlewood shines

Earlier, RCB pacers Josh Hazlewood and Mohammed Siraj delivered some decisive blows to the RR batting line-up ensuring they could only post 144 for eight, a well below-par score.

RCB pacers Josh Hazlewood celebrates a wicket v Rajasthan Royals in Pune yesterday

Under pressure to perform, Parag struck some big blows to score an important half century. His unbeaten 56-run knock from 31 balls was laced with three fours and four sixes, including two off the final over, bowled by Harshal Patel.

Siraj made an excellent comeback, not once, but twice in the Powerplay. He was smacked for a six over long off by Devdutta Padikkal, but then trapped the left-handed opener plumb in front in the same over. Then, R Ashwin, promoted to No.3 not for the first time, struck Siraj for four fours in two overs. But Siraj had the last laugh when a quick, well-directed bouncer saw Ashwin top-edge a pull shot for a comfortable caught and bowled. And Siraj was in the action again in the very next ball.

Buttler scores eight

Hazlewood enticed RR's

in-form opener Jos Buttler to attempt a pull off a delivery that was not quite short enough. And Buttler's mistimed shot was well caught by a forward diving Siraj at mid-on. Siraj finished with 2-30 while Hazlewood took 2-19.

At the time of going to press, RCB were 58-4 after 10 overs with Rajat Patidar (16 not out) and Shahbaz Ahmed (6 not out) at the crease.