IPL 2024: Player Analysis: How crucial was Will Jacks' century in securing RCB's dominant win?

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru displayed a commanding performance against the Gujarat Titans, showcasing their prowess in handling spin bowling with remarkable ease. In a high-stakes match held in Ahmedabad, RCB chased down a substantial target of 201 runs, securing a dominant win with nine wickets still in hand and a considerable four overs remaining.

This emphatic victory was spearheaded by Virat Kohli, whose masterful unbeaten 70 off 44 balls, including 34 runs meticulously scored against spinners, underscored his crucial role in the chase. The momentum in the innings was further accelerated by Will Jacks, who delivered a stunning display of batting.

Jacks’ innings culminated in a dramatic fashion as he scored his maiden IPL century on the final ball of his stint, an achievement that not only highlighted his batting talent but also ensured RCB crossed the finish line with time to spare. This performance by Jacks, along with Kohli’s strategic mastery against spin, exemplified RCB’s comprehensive approach to tackling challenging targets and underscored their capability to outperform in crucial moments of the tournament.

See Also: IPL 2024: Player Analysis: Jake Fraser-McGurk Dominates Mumbai with a Swift 84-Run Onslaught

In-depth Analysis of Will Jacks’ onslaught on the Titans

🏏 How crucial was Will Jacks' century in securing RCB's dominant win❓

Analysing Will Jacks’ Shots-wise Runs Distribution#IPL2024 #RCBvsGT #will pic.twitter.com/ClzOdeWJ2S

— Saiprasad Kagne (@KEVLAR2601) April 28, 2024

RCB demonstrated their adeptness against spin in an impressive display, dismantling the Gujarat Titans’ spin attack and accumulating 124 runs from the 11 overs bowled by Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, and R Sai Kishore. Despite the challenging conditions, RCB batters exploited the surface effectively as it became increasingly favorable for strokeplay as the match progressed.

Rashid Khan, typically a key asset for GT, was unable to stem the flow of runs, conceding 51 runs without a wicket. Similarly, Noor Ahmad gave away 43 runs, and R Sai Kishore, although managing to claim a wicket, also leaked 30 runs. This relentless assault by RCB left the GT spinners struggling for control and searching for cover, underlining the strength and strategic execution of the Bangalore batting lineup in exploiting favorable match conditions.

Before the tenth over, Will Jacks’ innings was relatively quiet, with his only boundary coming from a fortuitous outside edge against Noor Ahmad, a ball he failed to read properly. However, the introduction of Mohit Sharma into the attack marked a turning point for Jacks, allowing him to fully express his aggressive batting style.

He seized the opportunity to display his power-hitting capabilities, launching a delivery over deep midwicket followed by a masterful strike over extra cover from a slower ball. Jacks’ momentum continued to build as he confidently took on both Sai Kishore and Noor Ahmad in the following overs, dispatching them over long-on and deep square leg, respectively.

This aggressive sequence of shots dramatically accelerated his scoring rate, propelling him from a cautious 16 off as many balls to an explosive 44 off just 29 deliveries. This burst of runs not only showcased Jacks’ ability to escalate his scoring pace but also underscored his potential to dominate and change the course of an innings within a few overs.

Will Jacks intensified his assault in Mohit Sharma’s second over, hitting three sixes including one off a no-ball and two fours, bringing Royal Challengers Bengaluru within striking distance of victory. In a stunning display of power hitting, Jacks finished the match with a sequence of 6, 6, 4, 6, 6, propelling himself to a century and securing RCB’s third win in ten matches. This explosive inning not only clinched the victory but also provided a significant boost to their net run rate.