Faf du Plessis-led Royal Challengers Bangalore started with a loss in IPL 2022. Despite scoring 205 runs by the batsmen, the team suffered a five-wicket defeat against Punjab Kings. In this match, along with the bowlers, there were mistakes in the fielding at many places and after the match, the captain Faf du Plessis himself accepted the latter. During the 17th over, Anuj Rawat dropped the catch of Odeon Smith on a personal score of 1. After this, this player took advantage of the opportunity and made a stormy innings of 25 runs in 8 balls with the help of 3 sixes and a four.
Faf du Plessis said after the match “I think the batting was really good. He dropped the catch at the end and then Odeon Smith made 25 off 8 balls. I think when we dropped his catch he was probably on 10 runs Had he been out, the lower order batsmen would have come. Good catches win you the match.”
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He continued “There was a bit of dew on the ground, a tough night for the bowlers, but I thought they were pretty good with the wet ball. Small margins, but they chased it really well. They had a really good powerplay. The ball skidded a little more in the second innings and then we pulled it back beautifully. We did a lot of good stuff in the middle. But you know what Odion Smith can do to you. So you have to grab those opportunities. Here Even the other player, Shah Rukh Khan, did an amazing job tonight till the last two balls. Had the opportunities been grabbed right from the start, the match would have been different.”
Du Plessis played an important role in taking RCB to the target of 205 runs. Despite a slow start, the opener played a blistering innings of 88 runs off 57 balls with the help of 7 sixes and 3 fours.
Regarding his innings, the captain said, “I am tired! That first innings is going on in my mind, oh (smiling). It was difficult to start with the bat today. The ball was swinging in the first four overs, I think.” That I scored 1 run in the first 10 balls. It is a bit difficult to hold the bat but it feels good to cross it.”