NEW DELHI: Star all-rounder Glenn Maxwell on Saturday became only the second Royal Challengers Bengaluru spinner ever to dismiss a batter on the first ball of the game in the Indian Premier League.
Maxwell's rare record came in the do-or-die game against defending champions Chennai Super Kings when he dismissed their skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad for a golden duck in chase of 219.
Maxwell is now the second RCB spinner after Kevin Pietersen to dismiss opposition batter on the first ball.
Pietersen had earlier achieved the same feat way back in 2009 in the clash against Kolkata Knight Riders.
Giving a dream start to RCB in their defense of 218. Maxwell fired in a short ball as Gaikwad pulled it straight to Yash Dayal at short fine-leg to be out for a duck.
Earlier RCB's top-order, led by skipper Faf du Plessis, fired in unison as they posted a solid 218 for five against the five-time champions.
Du Plessis hit three fours and three sixes on his way to a 39-ball 54, his fourth fifty of the season, while Virat Kohli (47 off 29 balls), Rajat Patidar (41 off 23 balls) and Cameron Green (38 off 17 balls) also went on a six-hitting spree to put RCB on solid ground.
According to the playoff qualification scenario, RCB, who made a fairytale turnaround with a five-match winning streak, needs to win by 18 runs at least to make the cut.
CSK, however, will qualify if they score more than 200 at the expense of RCB even if they lose the game or if the match is washed out.
