Royal Challenger Bangalore failed to make it to the playoffs of the 16th edition of the Indian Premier League and finished in fifth place. The main reason for their failure was the poor display of the middle order. Apart from Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis, and Glenn Maxwell, none of the other batters really got going throughout the competition.
However, it looked like RCB didn’t find any reliable batter who could change the course of the game with his powerhitting in the middle order. But it seems like they might have an option now. England’s all-rounder Will Jacks has announced himself with probably one of the best knocks ever played in the T20 format.
He was at his absolute best in an England Vitality Blast game between Surrey and Middlesex, which took place on Thursday at the Kennington Oval. He scored 96 off just 45 balls, including eight fours and seven sixes, at a strike rate of 213.33.
But the real carnage began when he tore apart Middlesex spinner Luke Hollman and smashed five consecutive sixes in one over. He was looking good to join the elite list of Yuvraj Singh and Herschelle Gibbs to hit six sixes, but he missed the last ball and couldn’t make it six out of six.
Notably, RCB signed England’s all-rounder for a price of INR 3.2 crore at the auction, but he missed the entire season after suffering an injury. He added 177 runs for the opening wicket with Laurie Evans in just 12.4 overs. Evans also played a blistering knock of 85 off 37, with nine fours and five sixes. Surrey ended up with a massive total of 252/7 in 20 overs.
5 consecutive sixes by Will Jacks in a single over.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) June 22, 2023
RCB player to watch out in IPL 2024.pic.twitter.com/L6hc1r7UWe
But it didn’t stop in the first inning. Chasing the target, Middlesex were equally good with the bat and went on to register the second-highest successful run chase in T20 history. They reached 254/3 in 19.2 overs to win the game. Stephen Eskinazi (73 off 39), Joe Cracknell (36 off 16), Max Holden (68* off 35), and Ryan Higgins (48 off 24) all played their part.
