Faf du Plessis, the new skipper, could not score a scintillating 57-ball-88. However, Punjab Kings put on a strong batting performance to win a thrilling IPL match against Royal Challengers Bangalore.
Du Plessis was a master at six-hitting, hitting seven runs in his whirlwind innings. Virat Kohli scored an unbeaten 41 from 29 balls, while Dinesh Karthik managed a quick 32, as RCB posted a huge 205 for 2.
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Although the chase was difficult, Punjab made a remarkable effort to surpass the target. He scored 208 for 5, with an entire over.
Although Mayank Agarwal (32) and Shikhar (43) were the two top scorers, Bhanuka Rajapaksa (43) was also a star on his IPL debut. However, Punjab fell to 156 runs for 5.
Shahrukh Khan (24 runs not out from 20 balls) joined Odean Smith (25 runs not out from 8 balls) to finish the job. They shared an unbroken 52-run stand, with only 25 balls remaining for Punjab’s sixth wicket.
Smith scored three sixes and four runs against Mohammed Siraj in the 18th Over to score 25 runs. The final two overs saw Smith bring down the equation to 11.
Shahrukh hit four maximums and two maximums. Mayank Agarwal began his captaincy tenure by winning the game.
Earlier, RCB skipper du Plessis added 118 runs to the second wicket. After Anuj Rawat (21) and the former had established the foundation with their 50-run stand.
RCB scored 11 ‘extra’ runs off Arshdeep Sing’s second over. Du Plessis scored his first boundary in the third over, while Rawat reached his first maximum as RCB raced up to 23/0.
Rawat hit consecutive boundaries against Odean Smith in the sixth over. Rahul Chahar (2/22) took his place and cleaned him up in the seventh.
Kohli arrived and took some time to settle in. After successive twos, Kohli scored his first maximum in the 10th over. RCB got 13 runs from it, and at 70/1, it was the foundation for a huge total.
The ex-South Africa skipper made the most of his ‘life’ and then increased the ante when he scored a massive six against Liam Livingstone.
Du Plessis was harsh on Odean Smith. He hammered for two consecutive sixes and a boundary. He continued it with Harpreet Brar (0/38).
Kohli hit fours and two sixes. He was also very in his element, playing shots at will. However, he was second fiddle to Du Plessis when Du Plessis was at his best.
Du Plessis was expelled in the 18th, but the damage was done.
Karthik scored a quick 32 off only 14 balls. He also smashed three sixes and fours to take RCB over the 200 mark.
