Conway sets up derby win for CSK over RCB in thrilling run-fest

By Sports Desk April 17, 2023

Devon Conway made a blistering half-century as Chennai Super Kings beat Royal Challengers Bangalore by eight runs in an Indian Premier League thriller on Monday.

Conway blasted top scored with 83 off 45 balls as CSK posted 226-6 in the southern derby at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, where Shivam Dube (52 from 27) also made a half-century.

A brutal onslaught from Glenn Maxwell (76 off 36) and Faf du Plessis (62 from 33) had RCB scenting an incredible victory, but they came up just short on 218-8 as CSK secured a third win.

Conway and Ajinkya Rahane (37) laid the platform for CSK by putting on 74 for the second wicket in quick time before the latter was bowled by Wanindu Hasaranga.

The in-form Conway faced only 31 balls to make it back-to-back half-centuries but missed out on three figures when he was cleaned up by Harshal Patel.

Dube and Moeen Ali ensured the runs continued to flow, before Virat Kohli fell in the first over of the run chase.

RCB were 15-2 when Maxwell joined Du Plessis in the middle and they produced an incredible exhibition of clean striking to put the game in the balance.

Their 126-run partnership was a franchise record for the third wicket and came in just over 10 overs, Maxwell blasting eight sixes and his skipper striking four.

Maheesh Theekshana was guilty of two of CSK's four dropped catches, but he removed Maxwell and Ali dismissed Du Plessis.

Dinesh Karthik (28) and Suyash Prabhudessai kept RCB in the hunt, but Tushar Deshpande took 3-45 as the Super Kings took the derby honours.

 

Conway leads the way

New Zealand opener Conway took the RCB attack to all parts, following his 50 against Rajasthan Royals with another explosive knock.

The left-hander struck six sixes and as many fours, laying the platform for a big CSK total.

As many as 72 per cent of Conway's runs came from boundaries in what was his fifth IPL half-century.

Du Plessis and Maxwell go berserk

They were certainly not queueing up to bowl when Du Plessis and Maxwell were cutting loose.

Du Plessis took over from Venkatesh Iyer as the leading run-scorer in the tournament with 259 at an average of 64.75, while Maxwell's explosive half-century was his second of the IPL season.

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    PLAYERS TO WATCH

    Bournemouth – Antoine Semenyo

    Antoine Semenyo has been involved in more Premier League shots following a ball carry than any other player this term (20 – 12 shots, eight chances created).

    The Bournemouth midfielder also has three goals and an assist to his name this season in the competition, a tally he will hope to add to on Saturday.

    Manchester City – Phil Foden

    Talisman Erling Haaland only has one goal in four league matches against Bournemouth, so Phil Foden may be expected to step up here.

    Foden has scored in each of his last five appearances against Bournemouth in all competitions (five goals), also providing three assists in these games.

    MATCH PREDICTION – MANCHESTER CITY WIN

    Guardiola's side are the heavy favourites for this clash, considering they have won all 14 of their Premier League games against Bournemouth.

    City have outscored the Cherries 45-7 across their winning run, which is the best 100% record any team has against another in English top-flight history.

    Overall, Bournemouth have won none of their 20 league games against Man City (D2 L18), too – it is the most one side has faced another without ever winning in English Football League history.

    The Cherries have also lost all 11 of their Premier League games against sides starting the day top of the table, the worst 100% such loss rate in the competition’s history.

    Given City are unbeaten in 28 Premier League games in 2024 as well, a feat bettered by only two sides in England's top-flight history, it is hard to imagine anything other than an away win here.

    OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

    Bournemouth win – 19.8%
    Draw – 22.2%
    Manchester City win – 57.9%

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