Kohli strikes form, DK applies finishing touches as RCB beat Punjab Kings by 4 wickets

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are up and running in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. Bengaluru defeated Punjab Kings by four wickets at the M Chinnaswamy stadium in Bengaluru on Monday.

Match Summary

Royal Challengers Bengaluru 178/6 (19.2 ov)

Punjab Kings 176/6 (20 ov)

Royal Challengers Bengaluru won by 4 wickets

Match Analysis

Asked to bat, Punjab posted a total of 176 for six and in response Bengaluru lost wickets at quick intervals and managed to go past the finishing line in the last over. 

Punjab lost Jonny Bairstow early and had a poor start to their innings. But after that skipper Shikhar Dhawan (45:37b, 5x4, 1x6) and Prabhsimran Singh (25:17b, 2x2, 2x6) tipped the momentum in Punjab's favour. Dhawan-Singh added 55 runs for the second wicket but after they were back in the hut, Punjab couldn’t get going. Liam Livingstone and Sam Curran (23:17b, 3x4) made decent contributions but couldn’t carry on.

In the end, Jitesh Sharma (27:20b, 1x4, 2x6) and Shashank Singh (21 not out:8b, 1x4, 2x6) made sure they finished on a high. Punjab posted a total of 176 for six. For Bengaluru, Mohammed Siraj was the pick of the bowlers with his figures of two for 26. 

Bengaluru didn’t have a great start. They kept losing wickets at regular intervals and were under immense pressure. However, Virat Kohli at one end (77: 49b, 11x4, 2x6) kept his team in the hunt.

Harpreet Brar (two for 13) with his spell tilted the game in Punjab's favour. Veteran Dinesh Karthik (28 not out:10b, 3x4, 2x6) then made full use of his experience and took his team home. Impact player Mahipal Lomror supported him well as Bengaluru chased the target with four wickets to spare. 

Match Stats

Punjab Kings Fall of wickets: 1-17 (Jonny Bairstow - 2.3 ov), 2-72 (Prabhsimran Singh - 8.5 ov), 3-98 (Liam Livingstone - 11.6 ov), 4-98 (Shikhar Dhawan - 12.1 ov), 5-150 (Sam Curran - 17.5 ov), 6-154 (Jitesh Sharma - 18.4 ov)

Royal Challengers Bengaluru Fall of wickets: 1-17 (Jonny Bairstow - 2.3 ov), 2-72 (Prabhsimran Singh - 8.5 ov), 3-98 (Liam Livingstone - 11.6 ov), 4-98 (Shikhar Dhawan - 12.1 ov), 5-150 (Sam Curran - 17.5 ov), 6-154 (Jitesh Sharma - 18.4 ov)

Match Details

Date - 2024-03-25 14:00:00

Venue - M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru

Toss - Royal Challengers Bengaluru elected to bowl

Umpires - Anil Chaudhary (India), Saidharshan Kumar (India), Bruce Oxenford (Australia TV)