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ToggleRoyal Challengers Bangalore saw off a stiff fight from Kings XI Punjab to win by 17 runs and keep alive their playoffs hopes alive.
Chasing a mammoth 203, Kings XI Punjab openers Chris Gayle and KL Rahul started well. The two added 42 runs in just 19 balls before Umesh Yadav sent back Gayle. But it did not bring any respite for the Royal Challengers as Rahul and Mayank Agarwal continued playing the big shots and took the score past the 100-run mark in just 9 overs. However, Royal Challengers sent both the batsmen in quick succession to reduce the visitors to 105 for 3 from 101 for 1.
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50-run partnership between the local lads here in Bengaluru ?? pic.twitter.com/XeA7MSphbM
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 24, 2019
However, Nicholas Pooran and David Millers steadied the ship and kept the chase on track. The equation was finally down to 36 from the last three overs. Umesh then conceded six runs in the 18th over before Navdeep Saini dismissed Miller and Pooran while conceding just three runs in the 19th. With 27 runs needed off the final over, Kings XI could only manage 9 to finish on 185 for 7.
Earlier in the game, Royal Challengers Bangalore rode on AB de Villiers blazing fifty to post a mammoth 202 for 4 in the allotted 20 overs. Virat Kohli and Parthiv Patel fired on all cylinders right from the start and collected 35 runs in just three overs. Mohammed Shami then took the prized scalp of Kohli to give Kings XI Punjab the much-needed breakthrough. Parthiv and AB de Villiers then took the innings forward as Royal Challengers raced away to 70 for 1 at the end of the powerplay. It was their highest powerplay total this season.
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But on the very second ball after the powerplay, M Ashwin struck to remove Parthiv. Moeen Ali and Akshdeep Nath then departed for 4 and 3 respectively as Royal Challengers Bangalore found themselves 81 for 4 from 71 for 1. However, de Villiers and Marcus Stoinis did not allow Kings XI Punjab to take any more wickets in the innings. The two added an unbeaten stand of 121 runs to guide the Royal Challengers to a mammoth total.
No prizes for guessing who is our key performer for the @RCBTweets innings ?? pic.twitter.com/29XJ05shLV
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 24, 2019
As expected, de Villiers was the aggressor during the stand and scored 82 from just 44 balls. The knock contained 3 fours and 7 sixes. On the other hand, Marcus Stoinis remained unbeaten on 46 from 32 balls.
Here is how Twitter reacted to the match:
Oh my! Kohli did Bhosdike to Ashwin. Is there something brewing between these two? #IPL2019
— cricBC (@cricBC) April 24, 2019
https://twitter.com/sagarcasm/status/1121114275454554112
The tortoise is on the move … #RCBvKXIP
— Jatin Sapru (@jatinsapru) April 24, 2019
RCB surviving in this IPL like. #RCBvKXIP pic.twitter.com/kuyfcaosFs
— Sagar (@sagarcasm) April 24, 2019
Match turning out to be sizzling run fest. Rahul exploding at start of Punjab’s innings as ABD had done towards the close of RCB’s. Moeen though may have it his team’s way with Rahul’s wicket
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) April 24, 2019
Suddenly both Indian right handers are gone and two overseas left handers are up against two off-spinners. How this game changes!
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) April 24, 2019
THIS is my team!! This is the #RCB the fans love. Win or lose, THIS is our team! @RCBTweets #BELIEVE #RCBvKXIP
— Nikhil Chinapa (@nikhilchinapa) April 24, 2019
https://twitter.com/DanishSait/status/1121097700404076545
46 off 34 balls
82 off 44 ballsMr 360 at his best. Don't know why he retired so early from international cricket. ?? #abdevilliers #RCBvKXIP pic.twitter.com/tZtXai4Ycz
— Sir Jadeja fan (@SirJadeja) April 24, 2019
https://twitter.com/BollywoodGandu/status/1121083604933550080
https://twitter.com/ShubhamS90/status/1121095698802335744
138/4 in 17 overs to 202/4 in 20 overs.
Bangalore's batting is the opposite of Bangalore's traffic. Lightening fast. #RCBvKXIP
— Sagar (@sagarcasm) April 24, 2019
Pic1: 200+ runs on the board
Pic2: Realised Umesh Yadav is in playing xi#RCBvKXIP pic.twitter.com/go8zE8rrs4— Mon (@4sacinom) April 24, 2019
With Gayle, Rahul, Mayank, Mandeep & Sarfaraz playing for Punjab, #RCBvKXIP is basically an alumni reunion.
— Ramesh Srivats (@rameshsrivats) April 24, 2019