It was a day for the record books as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) took on Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in an Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 clash that will go down in history. In a dramatic display of cricket, RCB not only claimed their second win of the tournament but also shattered a major league batting record on April 25th. The team’s triumph marked the end of a six-match losing streak, hitting an impressive stride in their ninth game of the season. They had commenced their victorious journey exactly a month earlier with their opening win against Punjab Kings on March 25.
RCB’s encounter with SRH at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad saw the team amassing a staggering total of 468 runs over the course of two matches against the famed batting lineup of SRH. Batting first, RCB put a formidable 206/7 on the scoreboard. This, combined with the mammoth 262/7 total from their initial clash with the 2016 champions at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium—where SRH had compiled a record-breaking 287—allowed RCB to carve their name into IPL legend.
With this victory, RCB proudly owns the record for the most runs scored against a single team during the league stage of an IPL season. Surpassing a previous record also involving the two teams—when SRH racked up 458 runs (287 and 171) against RCB—the new records stand as a testament to RCB’s explosive batting prowess this season. To put this achievement into context, the closest recent challengers to such a feat were themselves when they scored 450 runs against Pune Warriors India in 2013, followed by Punjab Kings scoring 437 against Chennai Super Kings in 2014, and Kolkata Knight Riders putting 436 on the board against Punjab Kings in 2018.
The latest match unfolded on a tricky two-paced pitch, where RCB’s batting line-up saw key contributions from stalwarts and fresh talent alike. Former captain Virat Kohli crafted a well-composed 51 off 43 balls, while Rajat Patidar’s explosive innings saw him reach 50 from just 20 balls. Commemorating his 100th IPL match, bowler Jaydev Unadkat made the occasion memorable with a crucial performance that saw him claiming three wickets and restricting SRH to 171/8 with his 3/30 figures.
Cameron Green also played a pivotal role, as his brisk 37-run outburst towards the end of the innings helped propel RCB past the 200 mark—a psychological and strategic edge in this format of the game.
The spinners were not to be outdone, as they asserted dominance over SRH’s lauded batter lineup. Combining their skills and keeping the pressure mounting, Swapnil Singh, Karn Sharma, and Will Jacks collectively seized five wickets, dampening the run aspirations of the Sunrisers. SRH managed to conclude their innings with a total of 171/8, falling short by 35 runs against a dominant Royal Challengers Bengaluru side.
The achievements marked by this match will ripple through the rest of IPL 2024, as RCB have demonstrated that they are not just competitors but also record-setters. By carving out a new legacy with the bat, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru have signaled to all their intention to dominate this season and reasserted their stance as a powerhouse in the game. As the season progresses, eyes will be on RCB to see if they can continue their record-breaking form and translate that into a successful run for the coveted IPL trophy.
