Virat Kohli guides RCB to 7-wicket victory over PBKS

After suffering a defeat to PBKS just days earlier in Bengaluru, RCB bounced back in style, led by a commanding chase from Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal, who both scored half-centuries. Suyash Sharma and Krunal Pandya starred with the ball, picking up two wickets apiece to restrict PBKS to a modest 157.

RCB captain Rajat Patidar elected to bowl first, hoping to replicate PBKS’ successful chase in their previous meeting. The home side’s dynamic opening duo of Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh came out with intent. After a cautious first over yielding just two runs against Bhuvneshwar Kumar, they went after Yash Dayal in the next, plundering 17 runs.

Prabhsimran continued the assault in the third over, striking three boundaries off Bhuvneshwar to keep the scoreboard ticking. With a brisk run rate and smart shot selection, PBKS looked poised for a big total. Their dominance in the powerplay was evident as they reached 62/1 after six overs, the highest powerplay score by any team against RCB this season.

However, the momentum shifted dramatically post the powerplay. Krunal Pandya, who had removed Arya in the fifth over, struck again immediately after the powerplay to dismiss the dangerous Prabhsimran Singh. The wickets started tumbling thereafter.

Making his RCB debut, Romario Shepherd made an instant impact by dismissing PBKS skipper Shreyas Iyer, courtesy of a running catch from Krunal Pandya in the outfield. A terrible mix-up in the next over led to Nehal Wadhera’s run out - both batters stranded at the same end as RCB executed a perfect relay throw to remove him. PBKS slipped from 62/1 to 76/4 in no time.

Josh Inglis looked to revive the innings with a quickfire 29 off 17 balls, but Suyash Sharma shattered PBKS’ hopes with a double-blow in the 14th over, bowling both Inglis and Marcus Stoinis. Shashank Singh and Marco Jansen did their best to consolidate in the death overs. While Shashank played a subdued knock of 31* (33), Jansen added 25* (20). However, RCB’s bowlers were disciplined in the slog overs, conceding just 29 runs in the last four overs, as PBKS finished on 157/6 in their 20 overs.

RCB's chase didn’t start on the ideal note as Phil Salt was dismissed by Arshdeep Singh in the first over, replicating his dismissal from their previous encounter. But from there on, it was one-way traffic.

Virat Kohli, alongside impact sub Devdutt Padikkal, steadied the innings with precision and poise. They scored freely, picking up regular boundaries to put the pressure back on PBKS bowlers. RCB ended the powerplay strongly at 54/1.

Padikkal, playing with freedom and intent, registered his first half-century of the season. He was eventually dismissed for 61 off 35 balls by Harpreet Brar, but not before adding 103 runs for the second wicket with Kohli, a partnership that effectively sealed the game.

Virat Kohli, as he so often does in run chases, played the anchor’s role to perfection. He reached his fifty, his 67th 50+ score in IPL history, the most by any player, and finished unbeaten on 73 off 54 balls*, guiding RCB to 158/3 in 18.5 overs.

(With inputs from IPL website)