IPL 2021: Glenn Maxwell's innings was the difference for RCB - Virat Kohli

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) skipper Virat Kohli said Glenn Maxwell’s knock was the difference in Wednesday’s IPL 2021 victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). Maxwell’s 59 off 41 balls helped RCB to 149-8. In response, SRH fell short by six runs as the Chennai pitch got harder to bat on in the second innings. Incidentally, this was Maxwell’s first half-century in the IPL since the 2016 edition of the tournament.

“I think Maxwell’s innings was the difference for us. It’s about getting momentum in the first six overs. But for us Maxi (Glenn Maxwell) gave us that momentum and got us closer to 150,” Kohli in the post-match ceremony.

Kohli added that SRH’s great start to the second innings didn’t have him too worried. The David Warner-led side got to 115/2 in 16 overs but struggled to score the remaining 35 runs in the final four overs.

“The extra bowling options made those impact performances in the middle overs. I told the guys, ‘don’t think that we struggled to get to 149. If it was tough for us, it will be tough for them as well’,” Kohli added.

“The wicket was never a belter and tonight our execution under pressure was perfect. The wicket kept getting tougher and tougher with the old ball.”

‘Not excited with two wins in IPL 2021’

He further stated that his side are not getting carried away having won their first two matches.

“I truly believed we could win with 150 (149). To be very honest, we are not over-excited with the victories (two in two). We have a clear plan.”

The Chepauk track is living up to its name of being a death trap for batsmen. It was not like SRH have been the track’s only victim in IPL 2021.

RCB struggled to get going, and so did Mumbai Indians (MI) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). The game was like a carbon copy of the KKR vs MI game and the scorecards of both SRH and RCB bear a similar resemblance.