RPS vs RCB

Virat Kohli-led Royal Challengers Bangalore had a close rivalry with Rising Pune Supergiants. The two teams from the Southern parts of India gave fans some brilliant moments to remember. RPS played only two seasons, but they gave RCB a run for their money.

RPS vs RCB Head to Head

Royal Challengers Bangalore and Rising Pune Supergiants played each other 4 times in across two editions. Both teams had shared the honours with 2 victories each after 4 games. Both teams have won one home game and one away game as well.

In IPL 2016 edition between the two sides were won by RCB. RCB registered a victory over RPS in both home and away game of RCB vs RPS 2016 clash to complete the season double over the Supergiants. In IPL 2017, RPS returned the favour to RCB by winning both games.

RPS vs RCB 2017 meetings

The first game between the two sides in 2017 IPL was played at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru. In RCB vs RPS 2017, skipper Virat Kohli won the toss and invited RPS to bat first. Ajinkya Rahane and Rahul Tripathi gave a good start to the Supergiants as the duo added 63 runs for the first wicket. However, the pair fell in the consecutive overs after scoring 30 runs and 31 runs respectively. Steve Smith (27 runs) and MS Dhoni (28 runs) added 58 runs for the 3rd wicket to take the innings forward. Once again, RCB bowlers did well to pick-up the prized wickets of Smith and Dhoni on the consecutive deliveries to arrest the momentum RPS had. Dan Christian and Ben Stokes also failed with the bat only for Manoj Tiwary to play a cameo towards the end. Vital 27 runs off just 11 deliveries from Tiwary took RPS to a total of 161/8 after 20 overs. Both Adam Milne and Sreenath Aravind returned with 2 wickets each against their name. Chasing the target, RCAB had a poor start as the opener Mandeep Singh could not open his account. Virat Kohli (28 runs off 19 deliveries) tired to take RCB forward alongside AB de Villiers (29 runs off 30 deliveries) but he got out in his bid to score quickly. After the departure of Kohli, de Villiers tried to form a partnership in the middle-order. However, once he got out, no RCB batsman could get going in front of some disciplined bowling from RPS. They could only manage 134/9 in 20 overs to lose the game by 27 runs. Both Shardul Thakur and Ben Stokes clinched 3 wickets each. Stokes was also adjudged man of the match for his figures of 3/18 in 4 overs.

RPS vs RCB 2017 meetings

In the reverse fixture, which was played at Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune, the visitors RCB won the toss and elected to field first. This time Ajinkya Rahane departed early, but Rahul Tripathi (37 runs) and Steve Smith (45 runs) added 40 runs for the 2nd wicket. After the departure of Tripathi, Smith added another 50 runs alongside Manoj Tiwary for the 3rd wicket. MS Dhoni joined Tiwary in the middle after Smith got out. From there, RPS didn’t lose any wickets, and the duo took RPS to a total of 157/3 in 20 overs. While Tiwary remained unbeaten for 44 runs, MS Dhoni scored 21 runs unbeaten. Pawan Negi bowled an economical spell of 1/18 in 4 overs for RCB. Chasing the target, RCB had a worst possible start as they lost the opener Travis Head in the 2nd over of the innings. Virat Kohli tried to control things alongside AB de Villiers, but once the South African got out in the 5th over, it all went downhill for the Bangalore side from there. RCB collapsed like a house of cards despite Kohli scoring 55 runs. No other batsman could stick around the crease alongside his skipper. Such was the situation, No other batsman than Kohli reached the double figures for RCB. The visitors could only manage 96/9 after the conclusion of their 20 overs. RPS registered an astounding win by 61 runs to complete a season double over the Royal Challengers. While Imran Tahir picked up 3 wickets in his 4 overs, Lockie Ferguson clinched 2 wickets. New Zealand pacer Lockie Ferguson was awarded man of the match for his brilliant figures of 2/7 in 4 overs.

Top Batsmen for Royal Challengers Bangalore

Imran Tahir was the top-bowler for the Supergiants from Pune against RCB. The leg-spinner picked up 4 wickets against RCB in 3 innings. He was followed next by Jadev Unadkat, Shardul Thakur, and Ben Stokes who picked up 3 wickets each for RPS against RCB.

Top Bowlers for Royal Challengers Bangalore

Shane Watson was the best bowler for RCB against RPS with 6 wickets against his name. Fellow Australian Kane followed him Richardson with 3 wickets. Both Pawan Negi and Sreenath Aravind bagged 2 wickets each against RPS for RCB.