IPL 2021, RCB vs PBKS: Bangalore breezes past Punjab to seal playoffs berth

It was a ruthless performance by Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), as it defeated Punjab Kings (PBKS) by just six runs in Match 48 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Sunday. RCB has sealed its place in the playoffs with this win, while PBKS's task has become complex.

Winning the toss, RCB skipper Virat Kohli opted to bowl as he moved in with the same side, while PBKS skipper KL Rahul made three changes. The RCB openers were off to a steady start, courtesy of some dropped catches and misfields, contributing to a 68-run stand before Kohli (25) fell to pacer Moises Henriques in the tenth over, followed by Daniel Christian (0) off the very next delivery, in the over.

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Opener Devdutt Padikkal (40) departed to the same man in the 12th over five runs later. However, he should have been dismissed in the ninth over to spinner Ravi Bishnoi. Upon being reviewed, the third umpire surprisingly turned down a catch behind appeal despite the UltraEdge showing a clear knick off the glove.

Nevertheless, following Padikkal's dismissal, a 73-run stand between Glenn Maxwell (57) and AB de Villiers (23) followed, as the former scored his 11th IPL half-century. In the 18th over, the latter departed off a run-out, while the following over saw seamer Mohammed Shami get rid of Maxwell, Shahbaz Ahmed (8) and George Garton (0), as RCB finished on 164/7. PBKS put six bowlers into the attack, with Henriques and Shami claiming three each, while the former was highly economical.

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As PBKS came out for the chase, the openers were off to an explosive start, contributing to a 91-run stand between KL Rahul (39) and Mayank Agarwal (57) before spinner Shahbaz Ahmed got rid of the former in the 11th over, followed by Nicholas Pooran (3) eight runs later to leg-spinner Chahal. During this time, Agarwal scored his 11th IPL half-century before falling at 114 to Chahal in 16th, along with Sarfaraz Khan (0) in the same over, seven runs later.

Also, Aiden Markram (20) followed back to pacer George Garton six runs later, as PBKS struggled to get partnerships in the closing stages, in the 17th. At 146, Shahrukh Khan (16) was run out in the final over, as the PBKS could not see it through, with the RCB bowlers making a remarkable comeback and winning by just six runs.

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RCB utilised six bowlers, with Chahal having the most success, claiming three, while Garton and pacer Harshal Patel had the best economy.
Brief scores: RCB 164/7 (Padikkal- 40, Maxwell- 57; Henriques- 3/12, Shami- 3/39) defeats PBKS 158/6 (Rahul- 39, Agarwal- 57; Chahal- 3/29) by six runs.