IPL 2023: He wants the Orange Cap – Aakash Chopra lauds Faf du Plessis’ knock after RCB thrash RR

Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra hailed RCB skipper Faf du Plessis for continuing his purple patch in the ongoing IPL 2023 after their convincing 112-run win against Rajasthan Royals at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur on Sunday.

The South African continued his dream form as he scored 55 runs from 44 balls and helped RCB post a competitive score of 171 runs on the board. Faf added 69 runs with Glenn Maxwell, who was able to hit the blocks from the get-go and scored 54 runs from 33 balls.

The RCB skipper scored three fours and two sixes in his fine knock for the team. Faf has amassed 631 runs in 12 matches at an average of 57.36 and a strike rate of 154.28 and he is currently the leading run-getter of the ongoing IPL 2023 and thus the Orange Cap holder.

Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel, “Faf du Plessis was playing with Virat Kohli. When Kohli got out, Glenn Maxwell was with Faf. Faf – one more time – he is consistent and how. He scores runs every time. However he does, he wants the Orange Cap and no one can take it away from him.”

On the other hand, Chopra picked Glenn Maxwell as his MVP for scoring a blistering knock of 54 runs. The renowned commentator feels that many runs wouldn’t have been scored by RCB if the Australian had not got going in the first innings.

“I feel Glenn Maxwell was the most valuable player. If that knock had not come, that many runs wouldn’t have been scored, and if that many runs hadn’t been scored, you wouldn’t have won the match.”

Meanwhile, Rajasthan Royals capitulated in the run-chase, managing only 59 runs as they kept losing wickets at regular intervals, which led to their downfall.

“We, of course, saw Rajasthan absolutely capitulating. We saw them playing ordinary shots and losing five wickets in the powerplay. All that was possible when you became capable of posting an above-par score.”

Apart from Glenn Maxwell and Faf du Plessis once again delivering for RCB, Anuj Rawat added the finishing touches, scoring a fine cameo of 11-ball 29 after Dinesh Karthik and Mahipal Lomror were dismissed cheaply in quick succession.

“If Maxwell had not played like that, this team wouldn’t have reached there. Of course, Anuj Rawat also scored important runs but in my opinion, the most valuable player of the game was Glenn Maxwell. When he scores runs, he scores very fast.”

Royal Challengers Bangalore will next take on Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad on Thursday.