Fortune favors the seventh time

The IPL saw Royal Challengers Bengaluru halt their six-match losing streak with a 35-run victory against Sunrisers Hyderabad, thanks to a blistering fifty from Rajat Patidar and a combined effort from the spinners.

After choosing to bat, RCB amassed 206/7, with Patidar’s 50 off 20 balls standing in sharp contrast to Virat Kohli’s measured 51 from 43 balls.

The goal seemed extremely attainable for a side that has already scored more than 250 runs three times this season, but the formidable SRH batting lineup was unable to achieve the mark this time, finishing at 171/8 in 20 overs.

Will Jacks, a part-time off-spinner, was the first bowler used by RCB, taking into account the efficiency of the spinners in the first inning. The Englishman gave RCB a huge boost when he captured the devastating Travis Head (1 off 3) at third man.

Abhishek Sharma, Head’s opening partner, amused the home audience with his 31 off 13 innings until wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik stopped his attempted slog.

Making his RCB debut, left-arm spinner Swapnil Singh removed the dangerous South African pair of Aiden Markram and Henrich Klaasen with two wickets in his first over.

Nitish Reddy and Abdul Samad were then sacked by Leggie Karn Sharma in an attempt to silence the dissent.

Previously, Patidar was the most productive of the two in their 65-run partnership. Sunil Gavaskar questioned Patidar’s strategy during the broadcast.

In the last overs, Cameron Green (37, not out of 20) and Swapnil (12 off 6) produced crucial strikes to propel the RCB beyond 200.