Dubai, Oct 17 (UNI) Skipper Steven Smith half century 57 off 36 and Robin Uthappa 41 off 22 helped RR post a challenging 177/6 in 20 overs against RCB in the 33rd match of the IPL 2020, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, here on Saturday.
50 run stand between Uthappa and Stokes for first wicket, Smith and Buttler's 58 run partnerships for 4th wicket and then 46 run between Smith and Tewatia for 5th wicket helped RR reach a respectable 177.
Skipper Smith was top scorer 57 off 36 (6 fours, 1 sixes) followed by Uthappa 41 off 22 (7 fours, 1 sixes), Buttler 24 off 25, Stokes 15, Tewatia 19 off 11 (1 four, 1 sixes) not out.
Earlier RR won the toss and opted to bat first against RCB.
Robin Uthappa who bats at No 5 came to open with Ben Stokes as duo gave a steady start adding 50 runs for first wicket.
The duo partnership was broken when Chris Morris scalped Stokes in 6th over at 15 off 19 balls (2 fours).
After Stokes departure, Sanju Samson and Uthappa further chipped in 19 runs for second wicket, but it was Uthappa who was removed by Yuzvendra Chahal at 41 off 22 (7 fours, 1 six) in 8th over. RR second wicket fell under 69 runs.
In the same over next spell Sanju Samson went down at 9 off 6 balls (1 six) Chahal picking his second wicket.
Other fall of wickets were Buttler 24 in 16th over, Smith 57 and final wicket of Archer in last ball of last over lbw by Morris.
Tewatia remained not out at 19.
For RCB wicket-takers were Chris Morris 4/26, Chahal 2/34.
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