In the IPL 2024 season opener between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), Virat Kohli, the captain of RCB, made a lively return to competitive cricket. However, his team suffered a one-sided defeat against defending champions CSK at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.
During the match, Kohli’s animated demeanor on the field caught the attention of television cameras. In a moment captured on the big screen, Kohli was seen giving an enthusiastic send-off to Chennai Super Kings opener Rachin Ravindra, who made an impactful debut in the IPL. Ravindra’s aggressive batting helped CSK chase down RCB’s target of 174 runs with ease, leading to Kohli’s visible frustration as he left the field.
Rachin Ravindra’s performance proved to be a game-changer for CSK. The young New Zealand all-rounder, who was acquired for a modest sum of Rs 1.8 crore in the auction, played a blistering innings, scoring 37 runs off just 15 balls. His innings included three sixes and as many boundaries, putting pressure on the RCB bowling attack.
— Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka (@Hanji_CricDekho) March 22, 2024
Apart from his batting heroics, Ravindra also showcased his fielding prowess by taking two stunning catches, one of which resulted in the dismissal of Virat Kohli himself.
Kohli, on the other hand, struggled to find his rhythm with the bat after returning to competitive cricket for the first time since January. He failed to make a significant impact, managing just 21 runs off 20 balls before being dismissed by Mustafizur Rahman’s bouncer in the 12th over of the RCB innings.
Despite contributions from Anuj Rawat (48) and Dinesh Karthik (38), RCB could only post a total of 173 runs. CSK’s strong batting lineup, fueled by Ravindra’s explosive innings, chased down the target in just 18.4 overs, securing a comfortable six-wicket victory.
Looking ahead, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Virat Kohli will aim for a better performance when they face Punjab Kings in their next game at Bengaluru on Monday, March 25. The defeat in the season opener serves as a wake-up call for RCB, prompting them to regroup and strategize for the upcoming matches in the tournament.
