Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal scored respective half centuries, as Royal Challengers Bangalore comfortably defeated the Rajasthan Royals by eight wickets at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
After winning the toss and choosing to bat first, Rajasthan Royals opening pair of Jos Buttler and Steve Smith made a decent beginning with the pair adding 27 runs for the opening wicket, before Isuru Udana bagged the prize scalp of Smith.
Buttler after playing couple of brilliant strokes, fell to an outstanding catch by Devdutt Padikkal at slips off Navdeep Saini for a breezy 22.
The in form Sanju Samson was dismissed caught and bowled in an controversial manner that didn’t seem to have carried to Yuzvendra Chahal.
Robin Uthappa’s poor run with the bat continued as he became Chahal’s second victim, as RR were reduced to 70/4.
The 20 year old Mahipal Lomror playing his first match along with Riyan Parag anchored the innings with a 35 run partnership, before the latter was caught by Finch off Udana.
Rahul Tewatia and Jofra Archer struck a few big hits towards the end of the innings to take RR to a modest 154/6 at the end of 20 overs.
Chasing 155, the pair off Devdutt Padikkal along with Aaron Finch got RCB off to a quick start with the duo adding 25 runs for the opening stand, before Shreyas Gopal struck for Rajasthan by trapping Finch leg before wicket cheaply.
Virat Kohli along with Padikkal put on a 99 run stand for the second wicket, before the latter after scoring his third half century was yorked by Jofra Archer for an entertaining 63. His knock came off 45 balls, with six fours and a six.
Kohli after a string of poor scores in the first 3 games, reached his first half-century of the season in his 53-ball 72.
AB de Villiers applied the finishing touches, as Bangalore reached the target with 5 balls to spare.
Yuzvendra Chahal was declared the Man of the Match.