Rajasthan Royals vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Match 16 Match Summary

Coming up next on Saturday - A double dose of action awaits on 11th April, with the first game of the day featuring the Punjab Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad in New Chandigarh. That match will begin at 3.30 pm IST (10 am GMT). Later in the day in Chennai, the Chennai Super Kings will square off against the Delhi Capitals at 7.30 pm IST (2 pm GMT). As always, you can join us early for the build-up. See you then. Cheers!

What's next for these two teams? A game that began 70 minutes after the scheduled start due to rain delivered plenty of entertainment, with both sides trading blows in this Royal Rumble. It is a fourth straight win for the Royals, and they sit pretty at the top of the table. Up next for them is a trip to Hyderabad to face the Sunrisers on 13th April. It is a quick turnaround for the Royal Challengers as they now head to Mumbai to take on MI on 12th April.

The skipper of the Rajasthan Royals - Riyan Parag acknowledges that while RR have not always been at their best at this venue in previous years, this performance felt far more clinical. Reflecting on the bowling, Parag believes there were areas where they could have executed better. He admits that a few decisions could have been improved, which might have helped restrict the total closer to the 170-mark. On the mistakes made, Riyan points out that on a surface where hitting straight is not easy, especially against spin, they allowed batters a bit too much room at times. He concludes by saying that these are learnings the team will take forward as they aim to keep improving with each game. On turning their home ground into a fortress, Parag says it is not overly difficult, crediting the extensive preparation the team has put in across Guwahati and Jaipur. He notes that their camp in Jaipur gave them a strong understanding of the conditions, particularly the nature of the black-soil surface, which tends to stay low and a bit sticky. As a result, he believes the side is well prepared for any home game. Speaking about Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Parag shares that he is a popular presence in the squad, with everyone enjoying having him around. He describes him as a youngster who enjoys simple things like food and spending time with the group, and the team ensures he is comfortable. Parag adds that Sooryavanshi loves batting, and the environment is built to support that.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH - Vaibhav Sooryavanshi wins the award for his scintillating knock. His 26-ball 78-run blitzkrieg included 8 fours and 7 sixes. Murali Kartik presents the Orange Cap to Sooryavanshi. He says he won't cut any cake, as he has to sleep early because they have an early flight in the morning. Adds that he doesn't try to see who is bowling, just tries to back his skills. Mentions that obviously, back of the mind, you do see who is bowling, but he tries to react to the ball as much as possible. Vaibhav shares that his father, coaches, and his guardian, Romi Sir, keep telling him that the journey is very long and to keep focus on his process without getting distracted. He says he gets upset after getting out because he believes that if he stays there longer, maybe they can chase a couple of overs early, or, if batting first, add 10-20 runs extra.

Time for the presentation ceremony...

201 built on risk and reward - After RCB were inserted into bat, it was an inauspicious start, with Phil Salt falling on the very first ball of the game. Due to the rain before the game, there was some movement on offer for the RR quicks, and while the top order rode their luck in the Powerplay, neither Virat Kohli nor Devdutt Padikkal could convert their starts. Given the depth they possess, RCB chose not to rein in their attacking instincts. While that ensured a healthy scoring rate, it came at the cost of wickets falling regularly. Rajat Patidar held one end together with a composed half-century, and thanks to valuable cameos along the way from Venkatesh Iyer and Romario Shepherd, RCB posted 201, after being 94/6 at one stage.

Ice in Jurel's veins - A brief wobble saw RR slip from 129/1 to 134/4, but Jurel brought calmness to the middle with Ravindra Jadeja for company. Given the earlier onslaught, it was all about batting sensibly, with no real scoreboard pressure. The duo saw it through with an unbeaten 68-run stand, with Jurel remaining unbeaten on 81. Having already used Venkatesh Iyer as their Impact Sub in a bid to strengthen the batting, RCB did not have the option of turning to Suyash Sharma, which left them short of an incisive fifth bowling option.

Carnage up top - In pursuit of 202, there was little doubt about how the RR openers would approach the chase. Yashasvi Jaiswal got a few early boundaries away, but his stay was cut short by Josh Hazlewood, playing his first game of the season. That was as good as it got for RCB in the Powerplay. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi then put on an absolute clinic, notching up a 15-ball fifty for the second time this season. It rubbed off on Dhruv Jurel as the duo left RCB listless with the ball. Their 37-ball 108-run stand brought the equation down to almost a run a ball.

Next up is Dhruv Jurel - Jurel says that not just he, but everyone enjoys it when they see Vaibhav bat like that. Adds that the way he and Jaiswal bat, they make it look easy, which gives them a lot of confidence as well. Mentions that this season, the management has given him the chance to bat higher, and they just ask him to believe and back himself. Jurel calls Vaibhav Sooryavanshi a great talent and says it is hard to believe that someone can hit like that at such a young age. Tells that the best thing is not to say anything to him, and he is glad to have him in the team. Further adds that they have started well this season, and hopefully, the middle order will also make an impact as the tournament reaches the middle phase.

The captain of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru - Rajat Patidar says that the way they started in the Powerplay, losing wickets, it was a great effort to score 201. Adds that the way Vaibhav batted was incredible, and it made the difference in the game. Mentions that not being able to bring in Suyash Sharma as Impact Sub didn't make much difference, as they still had Shepherd, Krunal and Venkatesh and needed to manage with them better. Shares that in a competitive league like this, errors will happen, but it is important how you see and learn from them.

RR make it four in four - A statement win from the Rajasthan Royals. A slight stutter in the middle, but a chase that will make the rest of the teams take notice. You will need a lot more than 201 if you are to challenge them. Royal Challengers Bengaluru have been consigned to their first defeat of the season. They had the momentum going into their bowling effort after the way they finished with the bat, but the wind was taken out of their sails after the carnage in the Powerplay.

Dhruv Jurel fittingly hits the winning run! RAJASTHAN ROYALS WIN BY 6 WICKETS! Romario Shepherd lands this on a good length around off, Jurel stays back and punches it down to long on for one. He stays unbeaten on 81 off 43, his career-best T20 score, mentions Harsha Bhogle on air.

SIX! SCORES LEVEL! Romario Shepherd serves a juicy full toss, on the pads. Dhruv Jurel is not going to miss out on that and he smacks it over the deep backward square leg fence for a biggie.

Bangs this into the pitch, outside off, takes pace off. Ravindra Jadeja hops up and upper cuts it on the bounce to deep third for one.

RR are doing it in singles! Short of a length and on middle, Dhruv Jurel pulls it through mid-wicket for another run.

Hard length and on off, Ravindra Jadeja guides it away to deep third for a run.

Back of a length and around off, Dhruv Jurel heaves it away to deep mid-wicket for a single. 10 needed in 17 now.

Pulls his length back, on middle, Dhruv Jurel knocks it down to long on for one.

Pitched up and outside off, close to the tramline. Dhruv Jurel leaves it alone. The umpire calls it a fair ball, but Jurel takes the review. The replay with the Ball Tracking shows that some part of the ball is inside the wide guideline and the on-field call remains. RR lose a review.

Goes fuller and on middle, Dhruv Jurel drills it down the ground to the left of long on and calls for the second. Jacob Bethell runs to his left, but fails to pick it up on the first attempt, and the batters get the second comfortably.

Halt! The physio is out to check on Dhruv Jurel. The pickle juice has done its job, and Jurel is back on his feet.

Good length and on middle, Ravindra Jadeja clips it away to deep mid-wicket for a run. He turns around for the second, but as Jurel is about to take off, he goes down with cramps.

Into the deck, outside off. Jurel gets on his toes and plays it on the up to long on for a single.

In and around the off stump, on a good length. Dhruv hangs on the back foot before clipping it wide of deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

STRATEGIC BREAK! Rajasthan Royals are in the driver's seat at the moment, and they can now even think about maybe trying to finish it as quickly as possible. The only way back for RCB is if they can manage back-to-back wickets to put some pressure back on the hosts. However, the way Dhruv Jurel is playing, it does not look like he is in any mood to take risks and wants to stay there till the end, getting his side over the line. Also, Bhuvneshwar Kumar is to bowl after the break.

On a length and on middle, Dhruv Jurel works it through mid-wicket for one. That also brings up the 50-run stand between these two batters.

Touch fuller and on middle, Dhruv Jurel drives it with a straight bat back past the bowler. The fielder from long on runs to his left, picks it up and releases the throw quickly but fails to stop the second.

Bangs this into the pitch and around off. Ravindra Jadeja arches back and upper cuts it towards deep third for one.

Slower one, full and on off, Dhruv Jurel drills it to sweeper cover for another run. 22 needed in 27 balls now.

Short of a length and on middle, angling into the batter. Ravindra Jadeja stays back and runs it down to deep third for a run.