Royal Challengers Bengaluru scored 241/7 in 20 overs, where as Punjab Kings scored 181 in 17 overs.
So, finally Royal Challengers Bengaluru beat Punjab Kings by 60 runs.
Led by Virat Kohli’s blistering 47-ball 92, Royal Challengers Bengaluru secured a commanding 60-run victory over Punjab Kings in Dharamsala on Thursday, bolstering their chances of qualifying for the IPL 2024 playoffs.
Unfortunately, PBKS found themselves eliminated from contention following this outcome.
After setting a formidable target of 241 for 6, RCB’s bowlers delivered a collective effort, restricting PBKS to a mere 181 runs in just 17 overs.
The crucial difference emerged during the middle overs.
Despite maintaining a decent run rate, Punjab Kings faltered due to the loss of key wickets, leaving them with an insurmountable task in the death overs.
Meanwhile, RCB capitalized on solid contributions from Rajat Patidar and Kohli to set the stage for a flourish in the final overs.
| TEAM | RCB | PBKS |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 108/1 | 89/5 |
| Run-Rate | 12 | 9.89 |
| 4s/6s | 6 and 6 | 7 and 5 |
Royal Challengers Bengaluru
Power play: The VK Show
Phase score – 56/2 [RR: 9.33, 8x4s, 2x6s]
Despite Vidwath Kaverappa’s promising debut, where he should have dismissed RCB’s top-4, unfortunate drops resulted in only two wickets for him – Faf du Plessis and Will Jacks.
Though Kaverappa’s deliveries troubled the RCB batters with steep bounce and outswing, numerous missed opportunities allowed the visitors to score briskly during the initial phase.
Middle: The other VK takes over
Phase score – 108/1 [RR: 12.00, 6x4s, 6x6s]
Following early challenges, Kohli and Patidar counter attacked Kaverappa, hitting him for several sixes shortly after the Power play.
Despite a drop chance for Patidar in the eighth over, courtesy of Jonny Bairstow, he powered three sixes off Rahul Chahar to secure a breezy half-century, setting the tone for RCB’s innings.
After a brief hailstorm delay, Kohli elevated the onslaught alongside Cameron Green.
Death: Harshal controls after RCB onslaught
Phase score – 77/4 [RR: 15.40, 7x4s, 8x6s]
Kohli accelerated his innings in the final phase, pushing the pedal against Sam Curran and Arshdeep before the latter’s slower delivery halted his progress just eight runs shy of a remarkable century.
Dinesh Karthik and Green continued the aggression until Harshal Patel’s tight final over, where he claimed three wickets and conceded only three runs, preventing RCB from surpassing the 250-run mark.
Punjab Kings
Power play: Bairstow, Rossouw power PBKS to strong start
Phase score – 75/2 [RR: 12.50, 13x4s, 2x6s]
PBKS faced early setbacks with Prabhsimran Singh’s leg-before dismissal by Swapnil Singh in the first over.
Although Rilee Roussow survived an early scare, benefiting from Mahipal Lomror’s dropped catch at backward square leg, he capitalized on the opportunity and aggressively tackled Mohammed Siraj in the fourth over, scoring 18 runs.
Bairstow joined the fray but fell towards the end of the phase.
Middle-overs: PBKS stutter against spin
Phase score – 89/5 [RR: 9.89, 7x4s, 5x6s]
RCB’s spin duo of Karn Sharma and Swapnil Singh made significant break throughs, denting PBKS’ progress despite the latter’s hard hitters maintaining the required rate.
Kohli’s outstanding diving throw to run out Shashank Singh added to PBKS’ woes.
Mohammed Siraj further compounded their troubles by dismissing Ashutosh Sharma leg-before wicket, leaving Sam Curran to chase over 15 runs per over in the death overs alongside the lower-order.
Death: PBKS dismantled
Phase score – 17/3 in 2 overs [RR: 8.50, 3x4s, 0x6s]
Lockie Ferguson swiftly removed Curran, the final threat to RCB’s total, just three balls into the death overs.
Siraj efficiently cleaned up PBKS’ tail, claiming their last three wickets in 12 deliveries as PBKS fell significantly short of the target.
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