RCB exact swift revenge
Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal helped Royal Challengers Bengaluru exact sweet revenge against Punjab Kings by not only registering a comfortable win but also leapfrogging the hosts into third spot on the IPL table.
After a disciplined effort from the bowlers, Kohli (73 not out off 48 balls) and Impact Sub Padikkal (61 off 35 balls) ensured that RCB eased to the 158-run chase for a seven-wicket win.
Southpaw Padikkal scored his first IPL half-century, with five boundaries and four sixes, in 22 innings, while Kohli’s unbeaten knock was studded with seven boundaries and one six.
Their 103-run partnership, after the early departure of big-hitting opener Phil Salt (1), kept the home bowlers at bay as RCB ran away with the victory in 18.5 overs just two days after losing to the same side at home.
For Punjab, it was a disappointing loss after two consecutive victories in low-scoring games — one while defending against KKR and the other while chasing against RCB.
Perfect chase
The target was never going to be tough for the Challengers as soon as Kohli got comfortable at the crease. His experience helped Padikkal to free up and play some exciting shots.
Kohli started off with a signature pull off Arshdeep Singh where the rolling of the wrists kept the ball down and an impeccable drive off Xavier Bartlett to signal his intentions.
Once Padikkal got going with a lofted shot off Marco Jansen, Kohli slowed down and played a supporting role. Padikkal fell trying to go for a six off left-arm spinner Harpreet Brar. However, Kohli completed his 50 off 42 balls and ensured that he stayed till the end.
Earlier, the RCB bowlers were in perfect rhythm as spinners Krunal Pandya and Suyash Sharma bowled stifling spells to restrict Punjab Kings to 157/6. Left-arm spinner Pandya (2/25) and leg-spinner Sharma (2/27) controlled the game. Senior pacers Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazelwood also bowled tight spells as PBKS could only manage 38 runs off the last five overs.
Brief scores: Punjab Kings: 157/6 in 20 overs (Prabhsimran 33, Shashank 31*; Krunal 2/25, Suyash 2/26); Royal Challengers Bengaluru: 159/3 in 18.5 overs (Kohli 73, Padikkal 61)
