Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) were clinical with the ball in the early half of their Qualifier 1 clash against Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh. Choosing to bowl first after winning the toss, RCB’s bowling attack dismantled PBKS’ top order, as they sent seven of their batters back to the pavilion by the ninth over. However, the latest victim in the collapse was Nehal Wadhera, whose dismissal at the hands of Yash Dayal ended Punjab’s horrific powerplay.
With PBKS struggling at 38 for 4, Wadhera had the responsibility to stabilize the innings. Facing Dayal in the seventh over, the southpaw looked to use the pace and hit a drive off a short-of-a-length delivery. However, the delivery pitched just outside off, took the inside edge of his bat, and crashed into the leg stump. Wadhera departed for 8 off 10 balls, and Punjab were half down with just 50 on the board.
Watch the video of Nehal Wadhera’s wicket by Yash Dayal here
Both RCB and PBKS entered this match searching for their maiden IPL title, having suffered years of heartbreak in the league. While RCB were unbeaten in all their away matches this season, PBKS made the playoffs for the first time in 11 years, under Shreyas Iyer and Ricky Ponting. From the beginning, Bengaluru bowlers troubled the opposition bowlers.
Dayal struck early by removing Priyansh Arya with a catch at covers by Krunal Pandya. Josh Hazlewood, returning to the XI, dismissed Shreyas Iyer and Josh Inglis in quick succession, using the bounce to his advantage. Hazlewood’s figures at one point read 1.1 overs, two wickets for just four runs.
Leg spinner Suyash Sharma has been on song as he has removed three PBKS batters in his two-over spell, including a double-wicket over. Meanwhile, at the end of the 11th over, PBKS’ scorecard read 78/8. The Rajat Patidar-led side will be quickly looking to end the tail and reduce the home team to a below par total, and make their way to the Playoffs.
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