Bairstow and Warner’s record-breaking stand left RCB in ruins—relive the carnage!
Some IPL matches are exhilarating, while others can be nerve-racking, but occasionally, there are those exceptional games where one team refuses to let up. Have you seen an opening pair dismantle bowlers as if playing backyard cricket? Have you witnessed a chase unfold so rapidly that the scoreboard struggled to keep up? It was one of those unforgettable evenings.
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A match where records shattered, a partnership thrived, and a team’s hopes were dashed—all in a few extraordinary hours. Sound familiar? Let’s revisit the electrifying clash between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Royal Challengers Bangaluru on 31 March 2019, right in Hyderabad!
The stage was set when RCB won the toss and chose to bowl, anticipating a slower pitch. However, Johnny Bairstow and David Warner swiftly turned this decision into a fiasco. Bairstow struck Moeen Ali’s second ball for four, underscoring their intent.
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While Warner combined powerful hits with subtle nudges, Bairstow consistently targeted RCB’s bowlers. By the end of the Powerplay, SRH stood at 59/0, and the onslaught had only just begun.
The Englishman was not just scoring runs; he was making a statement. A 28-ball fifty was merely a warm-up. What followed was utter devastation.
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Bangaluru’s bowlers had no answers. Bairstow toyed with Prayas Ray Barman, slamming him for a six over cover before following with two boundaries. His second fifty came off just 24 balls, allowing him to secure his maiden IPL century in 52 balls.
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What about the celebration? A running jump, helmet off, soaking in the moment—something Warner has done numerous times in the past. Bairstow eventually fell for 114 off 56 balls (185/1), but the damage was immense.
Bairstow’s departure did not slow things down. Warner, who had maintained a brisk pace, was now poised to explode. From 70 off 42 balls, he charged to a century in the final over, finishing unbeaten on 100 off 55 balls.
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Umesh Yadav’s boundary off the last ball sealed the match, and he celebrated in classic Warner fashion with a soaring jump and a fist pump. By the end of SRH’s innings, the score had risen to 231/2, leaving RCB with an insurmountable task.
As the chase commenced, it became evident that RCB was in trouble. Mohammad Nabi, making his season debut, dismantled the top order in four overs. Parthiv Patel (11) was dismissed, caught in the covers; Shimron Hetmyer (9) was stumped, and AB de Villiers (1) was bowled by a well-flighted delivery.
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Then came the pivotal moment: Virat Kohli struggled, contributing only 3 runs from 10 balls before being bowled by Sandeep Sharma. At 30 for 5, the contest had effectively concluded. Colin de Grandhomme’s 37 offered little resistance as RCB collapsed to 113 all out, losing by 118 runs.
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That unforgettable day in Hyderabad remains etched in the annals of IPL history, featuring an awe-inspiring opening partnership of 185 runs—the highest ever recorded at that time.
It was only the second time in the league’s saga that both openers reached the lofty milestone of centuries during a match, solidifying this encounter as one of RCB’s most crushing defeats.
As the 2025 IPL approaches, fans will be hoping for another epic clash like this one. But for RCB? This is one match they’d rather forget.
