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TATA IPL 2024: RCB's Playoff Hopes Alive, PBKS Out After 60-Run Loss
Royal Challengers Bengaluru secured a commanding 60-run victory over Punjab Kings at the HPCA Stadium thanks to Virat Kohli's splendid 92 off 47 balls and a united bowling performance. This win marks RCB's fourth consecutive victory, keeping their playoff aspirations intact, while Punjab Kings, along with Mumbai Indians, exit the tournament.
Following Kohli's remarkable innings, supported by Rajat Patidar's 55, Royal Challengers Bangalore reached a total of 241/7, their fourth-highest score in the tournament overall. Despite a promising 65-run partnership between Jonny Bairstow and Rilee Rossouw, Punjab Kings harbored hopes of chasing the target. However, despite Rossouw's contribution of 61, none of the PBKS batsmen could effectively counter the challenge, resulting in their dismissal for 181 runs in 17 overs.
RCB had a superb start to their defence as Swapnil Singh trapped Prabhsimran Singh lbw on the fourth ball. Bairstow hit four boundaries and a six in his 16-ball 27, before falling to Lockie Ferguson on the second-last ball of the powerplay.
Rilee Rossouw kept PBKS in the hunt by smashing boundaries at will to hit his first fifty of the competition, which he reached by thumping a six over Cameron Green’s head. After getting some attention from the physio for an injury, Rossouw holed out to long off against Karn Sharma, who went on to castle Jitesh Sharma.
Despite Shashank Singh's aggressive boundary-hitting, Punjab Kings found themselves lacking as Liam Livingstone was caught at cover without scoring off a leading edge against Swapnil. Shashank, who was also struggling with a shoulder injury and received attention from the physio, was subsequently run out by a direct hit from deep mid-wicket by Virat Kohli on the very next ball, ending his innings at 37 off 19 balls.
Following those dismissals, Punjab Kings failed to recover, with Ashutosh Sharma falling lbw to Mohammed Siraj, and then Lockie Ferguson dismissing Sam Curran. Siraj returned to claim the remaining two wickets, ending with figures of 3-43, as Royal Challengers Bengaluru secured another comprehensive victory.
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