In what turned out to be a high-scoring entertainer, Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) bounced back in style, as they beat Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in Match 31 of the continuing Indian Premier League (IPL). Being held in Sharjah, KXIP tamed RCB convincingly by eight wickets. However, there was no change in the points table, as RCB stay on third, while KXIP stay at the bottom. Let us have a look at the records scripted in this tie.
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Virat Kohli scripts a special one: Kohli, who has been representing RCB since 2008, has scripted a special one, as he played his 200th game for the side tonight. In the process, he has become the first man to represent a T20 side in 200 matches.
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AB de Villiers scripts a dominant one: Although AB de Villiers could manage just a couple tonight, he scripted a dominating record for the season. He now possesses the highest strike-rate in the death overs (16-20), having played at least more than 25 deliveries. While he has a rate of 232, he has gone past Nicholas Pooran, who has 226.
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Mohammed Shami joins an elite list: Shami had a special night as he got rid of both Kohli and de Villiers. In the process, he became the eighth bowler in the tournament to dismiss both men in the same over. The others happen to be Jacques Kallis, Dhawal Kulkarni, Ashish Nehra, Krunal Pandya, Thisara Perera, Nitish Rana and Shreyas Gopal.
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Chris Gayle scripts a unique one: 'Universe Boss' Chris Gayle, who was playing his opening game of the season, played a stellar knock of 53. While the innings included five sixes and a four, he scripted a unique one in the process. In an interesting observation, he has now scored 10,000 runs through boundaries in the format, becoming the first batsman to do so. Crazy!
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Nicholas Pooran joins a select list: Pooran would be remembered for hitting the winning six off the final ball tonight. Consequently, he has now become the seventh batsman to finish the match in a similar manner in the IPL to date. Also, it was the ninth instance of the same happening in the competition.
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Third highest target to be successfully chased: KXIP must gain heavy confidence from their win tonight, as they scripted the third-highest successful chase of the IPL this season. Above this are 179 by Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and 224 by Rajasthan Royals (RR), as both happened to be against KXIP itself.
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Match summary: Electing to bat, RCB posted a competitive total of 1716, courtesy Kohli's sublime innings of 48, while other batsmen, too, contributed decently. In reply, it was KL Rahul (61*), along with Gayle (53) and Mayank Agarwal (45), whose watchful batting allowed KXIP to script the win off the final ball, as they won by eight wickets.
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