IPL 2021 Match 26: All-round Punjab Kings beat RCB
Thanks to an all-round effort, Punjab Kings defeated Royal
Challengers Bangalore easily to gain 2 important points in the 26th
match of IPL 2021 played at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on Friday.
RCB captain Virat Kohli won the toss and decided to field
first. It was a sedate start by Punjab Kings openers as Prabhsimran Singh
opened the innings along with KL Rahul. Kyle Jamieson provided the breakthrough
for RCB getting rid of Singh with a good delivery that bounced giving an easy
catch to Kohli at extra-cover. It was slow going for Punjab Kings before Chris
Gayle smacked 5 boundaries off Kyle Jamieson in the last over before the power
play. At the end of the six overs, Punjab Kings made 49 for 1.
Yuzvendra Chahal was bought into the attack but Gayle put
him under immense pressure with 2 sixes keeping the momentum going for Punjab
Kings. At the end of the first timeout, Punjab Kings made 64 for 1. After the
timeout, Gayle and KL Rahul continued to put enough pressure on RCB bowlers
keeping the scoreboard ticking. Daniel Sams surprised Gayle with a sharp bouncer
providing an easy catch to AB de Villiers. Rahul and Gayle added 80 runs for
the 2nd wicket. Nicolas Pooran disastrous form continued as he was
dismissed by Jamieson with a superb bouncer providing an easy catch to Shahbaz
Ahmed.
On the other hand, KL Rahul looked composed and reached his
fifty off 35 balls. Shahbaz Ahmed struck to get rid of Deepak Hooda who could
not control the shot giving an easy catch. After being smashed for runs in his
first three overs, Chahal got Sharukh Khan with a peach to leave Punjab Kings
in trouble at 118 for 5. Patidar missed a direct hit to get rid of KL Rahul but
could not do it. Harshal Patel was taken to the cleaners by Rahul and Brar in
the 18th over. Siraj bowled a superb 19th over giving
away just 7 runs. KL Rahul and Brar took 22 runs off the final over with 2
sixes and 2 fours. Brar ended the innings with a six to help Punjab Kings post
179 for 5. Rahul and Brar added unbeaten 61 runs for the 6th wicket.
Chasing 180 runs to win, Kohli began off well with some
lovely shots. Riley Meredith bowled with pace and troubled RCB openers. Paddikal
stumps was castled as Meredith produced a superb delivery. Rajat Patidar
struggled to time the ball as Punjab Kings bowlers did not allow RCB batsmen to
score runs easily. At the end of the first six overs, RCB scored 36 for 1.
After the field restrictions, Kohli tried to make a move
with attacking strokes but Patidar struggled to hit big strokes. At the end of
the first timeout, RCB made 59 for 1.
Harpreet Brar produced a magical over getting wickets of
Virat Kohli and Maxwell off successive deliveries. Kohli and Patidar added 43
runs for the 2nd wicket. Soon after, Brar got the big wicket of AB
de Villiers to put RCB under immense pressure. Rajat Patidar's struggling innings
came to an end as provided an easy catch to Pooran. Ravi Bishnoi took the
wicket of Shahbaz Ahmed leaving RCB in massive trouble at 96 for 6. Soon after
the timeout, Bishnoi grabbed the wicket of Daniel Sams with a peach.
Harshal Patel and Kyle Jamieson enjoyed themselves with some
lusty blows hitting sixes. Riley Meredith was hurt in the final over but Shami
bowled the last four deliveries. A superb catch by Ravi Bishnoi at long-off ended
innings for Patel. Patel and Jamieson added 48 runs for the 8th
wicket. Royal Challengers Bangalore finished with 145 for 8 in 20 overs.
Punjab Kings 179 for 5 in 20 overs ( KL Rahul 91*, Gayle 46,
Jamieson 2/32, Sams 1/24) beat Royal Challengers Bangalore 145 for 8 in 20
overs ( Kohli 35, Harshal Patel 31, Brar 3/19) by 34 runs
Comments