Dwayne Bravo produced a vintage game-changing T20 display as the Chennai Super Kings moved into top spot in the IPL with a six-wicket win over the Royal Challengers Bangalore on Friday.
CSK successfully chased down RCB’s total of 156-6 with 11 balls to spare, after Bravo had taken 24-3 from his four overs.
Bravo claimed the key wicket of Virat Kohli for 53 from 41 balls, after the India skipper combined with Devdutt Padikkal (70 from 50) for a 111-run opening stand in 80 balls.
The West Indian also dismissed Glenn Maxwell and Harshal Patel, as RCB’s momentum stalled in the second half of their innings.
Bravo wasnt required with the bat in reply, with Ruturaj Gaikwad (38 from 26), Ambati Rayudu (32 from 22) and Faf du Plessis (31 from 26) all chipping in.
“I just strive to be competitive,” Bravo said after the game. “IPL is the toughest competition in the world.
“Some days it works for me, some days it doesn’t but the pride and love I have for this game keeps me going.”
The result means the Super Kings are top with a 7-2 record, while the Royal Challengers are third at 5-4.
“RCB are a big side, and Virat is a very good player, so important wicket,” Bravo said.
“I wanted to just keep it simple. Variations, yorkers, slower balls…just stuck to my basics. Today I bowled around the wicket and wide yorkers, leg stump yorkers.
“That gets the batters thinking which way the ball will go.”
