Twitter Reactions: Shivam Dube, Robin Uthappa power Chennai to crushing win over Bangalore

Bangalore and Chennai faced each other in the 22nd match of the Indian T20 League at the D.Y. Patil Stadium in Mumbai. After winning the toss, Bangalore decided to bowl first. They had a good start as pacer Josh Hazlewood trapped out of form, Ruturaj Gaikwad (17) plumb in the fourth over of the innings. The bowling unit bowled well as they conceded only 35 runs at the end of the powerplay.

On the fourth ball of the seventh over, Moeen Ali (3) got run out due to a brilliant piece of fielding from debutant Suyash Prabhudesai. Ali played the cut short and took off for a run thinking that the ball will pass the fielder. However, the ball was stopped by Prabhudesai, who threw the ball towards Dinesh Karthik. The latter disturbed the bails and the English all-rounder’s inning came to an end.

In came Shivam Dube and what followed was an absolute carnage from him and Robin Uthappa. The duo took the attack to the opposition bowlers as they stitched a partnership of 165 runs of just 74 balls. Dube remained unbeaten on 95 off 46 balls, including eight sixes and five fours. On the other hand, Uthappa scored 88 off 50 including nine sixes and four fours before getting out to Wanindu Hasaranga.

The partnership helped the team to post a daunting total of 216/4, which is the highest team total in the season so far. In reply, the three-time finalists had a poor start as their skipper Faf du Plessis (8) became the first-ever ITL wicket of Maheesh Theekshana in the third over of the innings. Two overs later, former skipper Virat Kohli (1) got out to Mukesh Choudhary. Theekshana struck once again as he trapped Anuj Rawat (12) for lbw on the last ball of the powerplay.

Glenn Maxwell, who was going great guns with an innings of 26 off 11 with two fours and as many sixes, was clean bowled by skipper Ravindra Jadeja. At 50/4, youngsters Prabhudesai (34) and Shahbaz Ahmed stitched a partnership of 60 runs and tried to up the scoring rate before the former got out to Theekshana. 

Ahmed (41) followed two overs later as he became the fourth victim of Theekshana. Dinesh Karthik (34) tried his best but the target was way beyond his reach. Chennai eventually won the game by 23 runs.

This is how Twitter reacted

Only Dinesh Karthik could have allowed hope to flutter, even momentarily, for #RCB.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) April 12, 2022

How relieved was captain #jaddu! That’s the reason why teams like #csk have a strong following, they always manage to pull a special trick out of the bag. Expecting the same from the #Mumbaiindians tomorrow. #CSKvsRCB #TATAIPL #CricketTwitter

— Pragyan Ojha (@pragyanojha) April 12, 2022

Tonight @ChennaiIPL looked like the champions they are! Top batting and brilliant bowling by Theekshana and captain @imjadeja Great win to open the points account. Congratulations, guys 👏 👏 👏 #CSKvRCB #IPL2022

— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) April 12, 2022

Finally CSK on the board… RCB you fought well.

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) April 12, 2022

.@DineshKarthik @suyash_043 and Shahbaz kept #CSK fans at the edge of their seats till the end but overall a good first win in #IPL2022 for the men in Yellow in their 200th IPL game! Great bowling effort from the spinners today 👏🏽#CSKvsRCB

— Abhinav Mukund (@mukundabhinav) April 12, 2022

Game fight put up by #RCB chasing very stiff target. Ragged day in the field made it virtually impossible for their batsmen. Going ahead RCB need Kohli to score more runs and Siraj to give away fewer. Meanwhile CSK have finally set sail this season!

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) April 12, 2022

How good has Shahbaz Ahmed been in that middle-order role for RCB? Consistently delivered with impactful knocks — 27(20), 45(26) and 41(27).

113 runs at 9.28 rpo in a role that even seasoned pros find difficult to nail. #CSKvRCB

— Prasenjit Dey (@CricPrasen) April 12, 2022

Of course, the Robin-Shivam partnership was game changer for #CSK win but #Moeen Ali’s 3 overs for just 19 runs was a subtle factor as well. In a match when every bowler conceded over 8 RPO, the spell from Ali was massive . #RCBvsCSK #CSKvRCB pic.twitter.com/XwEUVrd9Mb

— parthiv patel (@parthiv9) April 12, 2022

Excellent Spell From Theekshana 💛💥 4 Wickets From 33 runs❤‍🔥 @ChennaiIPL @msdhoni #Whistel pic.twitter.com/4yrvPLC8aW

— தல தினேஷ்ᵛᵃˡᶤᵐᵃᶤ🏋️ (@DineshRsdk) April 12, 2022

Entering the points table like…💛🥳#IPL2022 #CSKvRCB @ChennaiIPL pic.twitter.com/jVRLrtIkiw

— Disney+ Hotstar (@DisneyPlusHS) April 12, 2022