Dinesh Karthik and Swapnil Singh came to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)'s rescue in their IPL 2024 clash against Gujarat Titans on Saturday. Chasing a below-par 148 after GT were bowled out for 147, RCB were cruising at 92/0 in 5.5 overs with Faf du Plessis and Virat Kohli putting on a show in the Powerplay. However, RCB suffered a mid-innings slump, losing six wickets in the space of 25 runs with Joshua Little and Noor Ahmad sharing five between them.
While the seemed to be slipping away from RCB grip, unbeaten cameos from Karthik (21) and Swapnil (15) the side off to its third straight win of the season, and two on the bounce against GT after last weekend's success in Ahmedabad.
There was a party atmosphere in Bengaluru after the match as star batter and former RCB captain Kohli recalimed the Orange Cap from CSK skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad.
Kohli, who hit a quickfire 42 on Saturday, now has 542 runs in 11 matches, with Gaikwad (509) in action for CSK against Punjab Kings on Sunday.
Karthik presented the Orange Cap back to Kohli after the match, and the latter showed a respectful gesture to the former, bowing down to the former before both shared a hug.
A video of the same has now gone viral on social media.
Coming back to the match, Du Plessis' (64) departure triggered a collapse as Gujarat hit back with wickets from Joshua Little and Noor Ahmad to have the opposition in trouble at 117-6 when Kohli was dismissed.
Will Jacks, Rajat Patidar, Glenn Maxwell and Cameron Green all perished for cheap before Karthik and Swapnil made sure there was no more drama as they steered the team home in an unbeaten stand of 35.
Earlier put into bat, Gujarat went three down for 19 inside six over before big-hitter Shahrukh Khan, who top-scored with 37, stood strong in a 61-run stand with David Miller, who hit 30 off 20 balls.
The win allowed allowed RCB to climb out of the bottom of the table. They are currently seventh in the points table with three games to go.
Left-handed Rahul Tewatia hit a 21-ball 35 and put on another key stand with Rashid Khan to add respect to the total.
(With AFP Inputs)