IPL 2018, RCB vs CSK: 3 Best Decisions Of The Game

It was Derby day at the Chinnaswamy Stadium as the two South Indian heavyweights, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Chennai Super Kings went head-to-head in a mouth-watering clash.

MS Dhoni won the all-important toss and a without a doubt, opted to field first. RCB got off to a flier courtesy De Kock and Kohli. CSK were in desperate need of a wicket and Shardul Thakur provided the much-needed breakthrough by dismissing Captain Kohli.

De Villiers joined his fellow countryman De Kock and they troubled the CSK bowlers with strokes towards all parts of the ground. CSK clawed their way back into the contest with quick strikes but nice little cameos by Mandeep Singh and Washington Sundar towards the backend of the innings helped RCB to a healthy 205 for 8 in 20 overs.

Chasing a huge score of 206, CSK got off to the worst possible start as they lost their in-form opener, Watson, early. Wickets continued to tumble and CSK found themselves at 77 for 4 in 9 overs. Rayudu and Dhoni joined hands and stitched together an outstanding partnership to bring Chennai back into the contest. Rayudu was dismissed for a well made 82 but Dhoni stayed until the end to pull off a memorable chase for the Super Kings.

Let's look at three masterstrokes that impacted the game.

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#1 Persisting with De Kock finally paid off

Five games into IPL 2018 and Quinton De Kock hadn't been performing to his potential but the tall and lanky South African got his captain's backing despite receiving criticism of his continuous inclusion in the playing XI.

Kohli’s continuous persistence with De Kock finally paid off as he smashed a wonderful 53 off 37 balls and was involved in an exceptional 100+ partnership with fellow South African De Villiers.

#2 MS Dhoni brings CSK back into the game with smart bowling changes

RCB were running away with the game as De Kock and De Villiers ran riot at the Chinnaswamy. RCB's score read 138 for 1 in 13 overs. CSK were in dire need of a wicket and MS Dhoni turned to his most experienced bowler, DJ Bravo. It worked wonders as Bravo outsmarted De Kock will a slower delivery.

Dhoni's smart moved continued in the next over as he brought in Tahir and the leggie responded brilliantly by dismissing the dangerous De Villiers and Anderson off successive balls to put the brakes on RCB's scoring rate. Full marks to MS Dhoni for those smart bowling changes.

#3 Kohli’s Negi move gives RCB perfect start

Chasing a daunting target of 206, CSK needed a good start while RCB needed early wickets. With bowlers like Umesh Yadav, Corey Anderson and Washington Sundar in their ranks, Kohli decided to open the bowling with Pawan Negi. It proved to be a masterful move as the left-arm spinner, who was drafted into the playing XI, sent the in-form Watson packing. Kudos to Kohli for his top class captaincy.