The Royal Challengers Bangalore qualified for the playoffs after beating Punjab Kings by 6 runs on Sunday in Sharjah. Chasing a stiff target of 165 runs, the PBKS side once again failed to capitalise on the start they got and were restricted to 158/6 in 20 overs.
Captain KL Rahul and his opening partner Mayank Agarwal provided a brisk start to the chase after the two batsmen compiled 91 runs for the first wicket before Rahul departed for 39 off 35.
Mayank on the other side, went on to score a fifty during the course but Punjab kept losing wickets at regular intervals and were reduced to 127/5. Later, Shahrukh Khan and Moises Henriques tried to provide some resistance but the increasing required rate pushed them on the back foot and Shahrukh was run out on the first delivery of the final over for 16 off 11.
The KL Rahul-led side now needed 19 off the last 5 balls but they could only manage to get 12 runs and lost the match eventually. Yuzvendra Chahal was the pick of the bowlers for RCB after he returned with figures of 3/29 in 4 overs.
Earlier, RCB too had a decent start to the innings as captain Virat Kohli and opener Devdutt Padikkal stitched a 60-run stand for the first wicket. Kohli was then cleaned up by Henriques for 25 off 24 and the skipper’s dismissal saw a couple of more wickets falling at a quick succession.
But it was once again Glenn Maxwell and AB de Villiers who steadied the ship for the side and scored 73 runs for the fourth wicket. Maxwell struck another half-century for RCB in the tournament.
Henriques scalped a three-for at the cost of 12 runs in 4 overs.
Punjab Kings captain KL Rahul expressed disappointment after the defeat. “I wouldn't say I haven't enjoyed wearing it (the Orange Cap) but I would have been happier if we had qualified. It was a score that was par. Maybe 10-15 runs extra. When a guy like Maxwell comes in with that sort of form, it makes it difficult,” he said in the post-match presentation.
RCB skipper Virat Kohli was delighted after making it through to the playoffs. “Feels amazing. After 2011, we haven't done it with games to spare. Eight wins out of 12 games is a great campaign. We have two more opportunities to finish in the top two. Should give us motivation to play even more fearlessly,” he said.
Experts’ Opinion
Journalist Ayaz Memon lavished praise on Yuzvendra Chahal and lauded him for getting back among the wickets.
“Chahal has rediscovered his mojo. Back in the wicket taking form and looking easily the best among leg spinners in the IPL in the second phase. IMO, most crucial player for RCB to make headway from here,” he tweeted.
Former India player Irfan Pathan praised RCB for their efforts. “Solid team this year and even solid performance RCB,” the former left-handed bowler wrote on Twitter.
Former India opener Aakash Chopra also hailed RCB for making it through to the playoffs. “Second season in a row. RCB are through to the playoffs. And this year they’re looking much better than last year. Race is on for only the fourth place,” he tweeted.
RCB will now play SRH on Wednesday in Abu Dhabi while PBKS will be up against CSK in Dubai on Thursday.