Hosts Royal Challengers Bangalore faced table-toppers Sunrisers Hyderabad in a must-win situation, extending their chances to qualify to the playoffs by the virtue of superior run-rate.
The theme from the Red and Blacks throughout the night was hit it and quit. After the two quick wickets of Parthiv Patel and captain Virat Kohli, it looked like a similar story for the home side.
However, AB de Villiers and Moeen Ali brought down the hammer just when RCB needed them the most. There has been a general feeling that Royal Challengers Bangalore are just a two-man side, featuring modern greats Virat and AB.
Moeen Ali, on the other hand, provided the much-needed support to the two heavyweights of their side with his blistering knock. Ali and AB added 108 in just less than 10 overs to wreak havoc into the Sunrisers camp.
It was only Rashid Khan who troubled the batsmen with his spell of bowling, where he picked up the big wickets of Kohli, AB and Ali. Rashid conceded only 27 runs at 6.75 per over, where the rest of the bowlers went for plenty.
The South African maestro notched up yet another half-century for his quickfire 69, while Ali brought up his maiden IPL half-century with the help of his 65 which consisted of a whopping six boundaries and a couple of boundaries.
That said, the finishing touch was provided by Colin de Grandhomme and Sarfraz Khan who took RCB towards a monumental total of 218.
Basil Thampi had a forgettable outing for SRH as he registered the most expensive figures by a bowler in the IPL. Thampi conceded 70 in his four-over spell.
Here’s how Twitter reacted
Feel sorry for all the bowlers… Pls no one should blame them.. Pls remember they are all bowling to a freak and a phenomenal batsman called ABRAHAM DE VILLIERS.. Pls pray for the bowlers
— Kartik Murali (@kartikmurali) May 17, 2018
https://twitter.com/Jr_NTR_Fan/status/997147583930773505
Moeen Ali & AB De Villiers trying to form a majority in Karnataka. #RCBvSRH
— Trendulkar (@Trendulkar) May 17, 2018
ABD's fifties in IPL 2018 and balls taken to do so:
50 off 36 balls vs KXIP
50 off 24 balls vs DD
50 off 23 balls vs CSK
50 off 28 balls vs DD
50 off 32 balls vs SRH(today)#RCBvSRH #IPL2018— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) May 17, 2018
As usual choker delivered for opponents at crucial time. #RCBvSRH pic.twitter.com/vkRw6NBOL3
— Troll DUCKrat Kohli (@ChokerKohli) May 17, 2018
that ball is now stuck in a bangalore traffic jam thanks to AB #RCBvSRH
— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) May 17, 2018
You can’t keep The Khan away from the action….three wickets. Kohli, AB and Moeen. Worth a lot more. #RCBvSRH #IPL
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) May 17, 2018
https://twitter.com/ShikharFC/status/997141192243535873
Rashid practicing so really well at the venue he'll be representing his country in a Test match for the very first time in a month's time from now#RCBvSRH
— Abhay (@ImAbhay3) May 17, 2018
..and Rashid Khan is ‘the’ Eliachi in that biryani. #RCBvSRH https://t.co/9yU9ZhEJ2s
— Mon (@4sacinom) May 17, 2018
Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers in one night.
Rashid Khan just had every cricket fan's dream come true.#RCBvSRH
— Gaurav Sethi (@BoredCricket) May 17, 2018
And Kohli won’t be able to get his own back against the Afghan spinners in the Test coming up…#RCBvSRH
— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) May 17, 2018
https://twitter.com/i_kaka10/status/997126960185737216
https://twitter.com/imSujityd/status/997141374913990656
AB and Virat Kohli are the only 2 cricketers who make you hold your breath consistently when they bat, in every format on any surface at any time.#RCBvSRH
— Iron duke Jr. (@Iron_Duke89) May 17, 2018
Umpires Should Give 5 Runs When They Can't Decide Whether It's A 4 Or A 6..#RCBvSRH
— Babu Bhaiya (@Shahrcasm) May 17, 2018
https://twitter.com/brainfadesmith/status/997129769589264384
#RCB #RCBvSRH
Kaul should feel lucky that ABD left the 4th ball!!!
There was 6 written all over that…— Bhaskar Biswas (@BhaskarSpeaking) May 17, 2018
If that dismissal to @rashidkhan_19 is anything to go by, Kohli's absence for the Afghanistan test might be a blessing in disguise LOL #RCBvSRH
— Jay Dansinghani 🏏 (@JayDansinghani) May 17, 2018
Most 4s for RCB:
479 Virat Kohli
269* Ab divilliers
263 Chris Gayle#IPL2018 #RCBvSRH— CricBeat (@Cric_beat) May 17, 2018
https://twitter.com/RoshniWalia45/status/997139345218854918
