Skipper Virat Kohli led from the front by scoring a scintillating 90, as Royal Challengers Bangalore stunned the Chennai Super Kings by 37 runs at the Dubai International Stadium on Saturday.
After winning the toss and electing to bat first, CSK made early inroads with Deepak Chahar pegging back Aaron Finch’s middle stump in the third over.
Devdutt Padikkal along with Virat Kohli stitched together a 53-run partnership for the second wicket, before the former was dismissed by Shardul Thakur for 33.
AB de Villiers’ stay at the crease lasted just two deliveries, as the South African star batsman edged a delivery from Thakur to MS Dhoni, as RCB were in a spot of bother at 67/3.
The 31 year old Indian skipper reached his 38th IPL half-century in just 39 balls and took on the Chennai bowlers by smashing them to all parts of the ground. He remained unbeaten on 90. His knock came off just 52 balls, with 4 fours and 4 sixes.
Shivam Dube scored a quickfire 22, as RCB ended up with a competitive 169/4 at the end of 20 overs.
Chasing 170, CSK got off to a poor start by losing the the in-form Faf du Plessis in the fourth over.
Shane Watson too failed to get going, as he was castled up by Washington Sundar after scoring 14 runs from 18 deliveries.
Narayan Jagadeesan on his IPL debut, looked good during his stay in the middle before he was run out by a direct hit from Chris Morris for a well made 33.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni having smashed a six off Yuzvendra Chahal, came back strongly by dismissing the former Indian captain who was caught at long off by Gurkeerat Singh at long off.
Chennai Super Kings hopes were dented further, as Ambati Rayudu was undone by a brilliant slower delivery from Isuru Udana for 42, as Chennai ended up with 132/8, giving RCB a comprehensive 37 runs win.
Chris Morris, playing his first game this season was Bangalore’s pick of the bowlers with 3/19, while Washington Sundar claimed 2 wickets.
Virat Kohli was declared the Man of the Match for his swashbuckling innings.