Cricket

The scorching heat in Karnataka has brought immense relief to Bengaluru with Friday afternoon's rain. However, the conditions have raised concerns for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) as they languish at the bottom of the IPL points table with only three wins from 10 matches.RCB's hopes of making the playoffs are hanging by a thread, and a rain-affected match against Gujarat Titans at the M Chinnaswamy stadium could extinguish their chances. Despite back-to-back wins, RCB has struggled to find consistency this season.Gujarat Titans, with two points more than RCB, are also in a precarious position in the race to the playoffs. After losing to RCB on their home turf last week, Shubman Gill and his team will be looking to capitalize on RCB's poor home form, having won only one of their five outings.Virat Kohli, the second-highest run-getter of the season, will be crucial for RCB. However, the spotlight will be on English all-rounder Will Jacks, who made a stunning IPL debut with an unbeaten 41-ball 100 against Mumbai Indians.RCB's batting lineup has been inconsistent, and they will need to improve their performance. Gujarat, too, will hope for their batters to deliver, especially in the Powerplay, which has been a weakness for them.In bowling, Gujarat has a significant advantage with spin ace Rashid Khan, while RCB lacks a tweaker of similar pedigree. Pacers on both sides have been unimpressive, and they will face a stern test at the big-hitting M Chinnaswamy stadium.

Royal Challengers Bangalore's (RCB) rising star Will Jacks experienced an unforgettable moment when batting legend Virat Kohli celebrated his match-winning century against the Gujarat Titans. Jacks' blistering knock of 100 off just 41 deliveries propelled RCB to the fastest successful chase of a 200-plus target in IPL history.Jacks' innings was a masterclass in power-hitting, with six sixes and two fours coming off the last ten deliveries he faced. His unbeaten 166-run partnership with Kohli solidified RCB's position in the playoffs race."It was quite surreal for me," Jacks said. "Having seen him do as many things as he has and to him have been celebrating for me. It was quite an amazing feeling."Kohli, who scored 70 off 44, was equally impressed with Jacks' performance. "You got your next 50 in 10 balls, 31 (ball) 50, 41 (ball) 100. Second half was your day at the golf course," Kohli said.Jacks revealed that Kohli provided valuable guidance during the initial phase of his innings. "Virat kind of helped me through my first 15 balls where I was struggling and he showed good intent which is what we had spoken about," Jacks said.Jacks' century was a testament to his exceptional talent and the growing confidence he has gained in the IPL. His partnership with Kohli showcased the depth and firepower of RCB's batting lineup, making them a formidable contender for the title.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) emerged victorious in their respective Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 matches on Sunday, boosting their playoff aspirations.RCB's ResurgenceRCB kept their playoff hopes alive with a dominant nine-wicket victory over Gujarat Titans. Will Jacks and Virat Kohli played pivotal roles in the triumph. Jacks smashed a blistering century (100* off 41), including 10 sixes, while Kohli contributed an unbeaten 70 off 44. Their partnership of 169 runs propelled RCB to the target of 201 with 24 balls to spare.Despite the win, RCB remains at the bottom of the IPL 2024 points table. However, they can still qualify for the playoffs if they win all their remaining matches.CSK's RiseCSK moved up to third in the points table with a comprehensive 78-run victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad. Skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad narrowly missed his second consecutive IPL century, scoring 98 off 54 balls. Daryl Mitchell also chipped in with a valuable 52.Tushar Deshpande and Matheesha Pathirana were the stars with the ball for CSK. Deshpande claimed four wickets for 27 runs, while Pathirana took two for 17. Their combined efforts restricted SRH to 134 all out in 18.5 overs.Key Takeaways* RCB's victory keeps their playoff hopes alive, while CSK strengthens their position in the top four.* Will Jacks' century and Virat Kohli's improved form were crucial for RCB's success.* Tushar Deshpande and Matheesha Pathirana's bowling performances played a significant role in CSK's win.* The IPL 2024 playoff race remains intense, with several teams vying for the top four spots.

In a thrilling encounter at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) secured a dominant nine-wicket victory over Gujarat Titans (GT) in the Indian Premier League (IPL).Will Jacks emerged as the star of the show for RCB, smashing a sensational century to guide his team to a comfortable chase. The English all-rounder's unbeaten 100 came off just 41 deliveries, including 10 towering sixes. Jacks' explosive innings in the final over, where he plundered four sixes and four boundaries off Rashid Khan, sealed the victory with 24 balls to spare.Virat Kohli, who had faced criticism in the previous match, showcased improved form in the middle overs. The former India captain utilized the sweep shot effectively against spinners, scoring an unbeaten 70 off 44 balls. Kohli's innings was crucial in setting the platform for Jacks' onslaught.Earlier, GT posted a competitive total of 200 for three, thanks to a solid partnership between Sai Sudharsan (84 not out) and Shahrukh Khan (58). Sudharsan anchored the innings, while Shahrukh provided the impetus with his aggressive batting.RCB's bowlers, led by Mohammed Siraj, kept the GT batsmen in check, restricting them to a manageable total. Siraj picked up two wickets, while Glenn Maxwell and Wanindu Hasaranga chipped in with one each.The victory was a much-needed boost for RCB, who had endured a tough start to the season. It was their third win in 10 games, while GT suffered their sixth loss in 10 matches.