IPL 2024: Royal Challengers Bengaluru 1st innings highlights against PBKS in Match 58

Virat Kohli. (Source -IPL/BCCI)

Hosts Punjab Kings’ skipper Sam Curran won the toss and chose to bowl first at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala, on Thursday, May 9. The game between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Punjab Kings is a must-win for both sides. The loser of the game will join Mumbai Indians and become the second team to be eliminated from IPL 2024. 

RCB came into the game on the back of their win against Gujarat Titans. On the other hand, Punjab Kings had lost to Chennai Super Kings at the same venue in the last match. Vidwath Kaverappa the Karnataka pacer made his debut for Punjab Kings. 

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: 50 runs off 5.3 overs

Punjab Kings pacer Vidwath Kaverappa got the wickets of Faf Du Plessis and Will Jacks to deal early blows to the visitors. Virat Kohli was at this sublime best but had been dropped twice in the first six overs. Rajat Patidar hit two fours off two balls to take the team past 50.

Powerplay: Overs 0.1 to 6 and first strategic time-out (Mandatory – 56/2)

It was yet another frenetic start to the innings as the Punjab Kings fielders dropped three catches. Virat Kohli was dropped twice while Rajat Patidar was put down off his very first ball

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: 100 runs from 8.3 overs

Rajat Patidar continued to pound the Punjab Kings bowlers as he kept hitting the big ones. RCB who have to win the match didn’t let the two early wickets weigh them down as the runs kept flowing at rapid pace.

Half-century: Rajat Patidar off 21 balls

Harshal Patel would be cursing himself as his dropped chance off the very first ball gave Rajat Patidar a second life. The 30-year-made full use of this chance and got to his 4th fifty of the season with a six off Sam Curran.

Half-Century: Virat Kohli off 32 balls

The runs keep coming for Virat Kohli as he got to yet another fifty for the season. RCB’s former skipper hit Liam Livingstone for a slog-sweep to reach his half-century.

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Royal Challengers Bengaluru: 150 runs from 13.3 overs

There was a brief halt in play as there was a slight downpour. All-rounder Cameron Green, who came out came out refreshed after the stoppage of the game and hit a few crisp shots to get RCB past 150 runs in the 14th over.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Second Strategic time-out (164/3 from 15 overs)

Punjab Kings bowlers had nowhere to hide as they were taken to the cleaners by the visiting side. With five more overs to go and Virat Kohli batting well RCB would be looking to post a score in excess of 200.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: 200 runs from 17 overs

The partnership between Cameron Green and Virat Kohli kept the pressure on the PBKS bowlers. Kohli in particular looked to step on the gas and hit Harshal Patel and Sam Curran for boundaries.

End of the innings: Royal Challengers Bengaluru – 241/7 from 20 overs

Virat Kohli fell for 92 runs when he was dismissed by Arshdeep Singh caught by Rilee Rossouw. Dinesh Karthik who has been in brilliant form this season played a brilliant cameo.

Courtesy of the vital contribution of the veteran batter, Royal Challengers Bengaluru were able to put up a huge score. Harshal Patel picked three wickets in the final over to become the leading wicket-taker for the season so far.