IPL 2023, PBKS vs RCB: Du Plessis' Fabulous Fifty & Siraj's Four-Fer Script a Fighting Win For RCB
RCB secured a thumping victory over PBKS [Source: AP]
Riding on Faf du Plessis' fifty and bowlers' superb collective effort, Royal Challengers Bangalore secured a thumping 24-run victory over Punjab Kings in the 27th match of the ongoing Indian Premier League season.
Openers' batting masterclass powers RCB to a sizeable total
Faf du Plessis played another fine knock [Source: AP]
After being put into bat, Royal Challengers Bangalore had an outstanding start to their innings, with openers Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis notching up 59 runs in the power play. Although Punjab Kings squeezed the run rate in the middle overs, the dynamic duo of Kohli and Du Plessis managed to hold ends, despite struggling to up the ante.
The veteran batters stitched a mammoth 137-run opening stand, completing their half-centuries in this process. While Kohli looked a bit rusty for his 47-ball 59, Du Plessis compiled an impressive 56-ball 84, composed of five fours and as many sixes.
However, after they got out in quick succession, RCB struggled to finish on a high note, posting a respectable 174 on the board in 20 overs.
Harpreet Brar, who dismissed Kohli and Glenn Maxwell on consecutive deliveries, emerged as Punjab's most successful bowler with two scalps to his name. Stand-in skipper Sam Curran was at his defensive best, conceding only 27 runs in his four-over spell.
Mohammed Siraj runs rampage as RCB have the last laugh
Siraj scalped four wickets [Source: AP]
In response, Punjab Kings had a disastrous start to their innings, as Mohammed Siraj rattled their top order with a sensational opening spell. If that wasn't enough, the seamer from Hyderabad ran Harpreet Bhatia out when the batter was consolidating the Kings' innings alongside Prabhsimran Singh.
The Kings' ship sank further, with Sam Curran and Prabhsimran getting out and Shahrukh Khan following him back to the dugout.
However, keeper-batter Jitesh Sharma held the fort for the hosts, playing a sensational cameo of 41 runs, glittered with two boundaries and three sixes. Just when his partnership with the tail was well on course to script a memorable win for Punjab, Siraj cleaned up Harpreet Brar and Nathan Ellis to swing the game in RCB's favour.
Harshal Patel removed Jitesh in the 19th over to hit the final nail in the Kings' coffin and ensure RCB's clinical win.
Brief Scores
Royal Challengers Bangalore: 174/4 (20)
Faf du Plessis 84 (56), Virat Kohli 59 (47);
Harpreet Brar 2/31 (3), Arshdeep Singh 1/34 (4)
Punjab Kings: 150 (18.2)
Prabhsimran Singh 46 (30), Jitesh Sharma 41 (27);
Mohammed Siraj 4/21 (4), Wanindu Hasaranga 2/39 (4)
Royal Challengers Bangalore won by 24 runs.
 "Debashis Sarangi")
