RCB register first win of IPL 2024 as they outclass Punjab in remarkable chase

It was a dream win for Royal Challengers Bengaluru at home as they edged past Punjab Kings emphatically with a combined charge from Virat Kohli, who scored a half-century, and a late flourish from the duo of Mahipal Lomror and Dinesh Karthik.

Winning the toss at home, Faf du Plessis opted to bowl first. Despite Shikhar Dhawan’s fiery start, Mohammed Siraj got things back under control as he got rid of the dangerous Jonny Bairstow for a paltry eight. Prabhsimran Singh (25) and Dhawan (45) did well to steady the ship and add 55 runs for the second stand.

It was Glenn Maxwell who got rid of the dangerous Prabhsimran while Alzarri Joseph dismissed Liam Livingstone for 17. It was Maxi again producing another ripper that got rid of Dhawan on the very next ball, leaving Punjab wobbling at 98/4.

The incoming duo of Sam Curran (23) and Jitesh Sharma (27) did a few repairs but it wasn’t really enough for Punjab to impose themselves upon the hosts. An excellent spell from Siraj and Yash Dayal towards the latter half of the game closed the taps for the visitors, forcing the end of the young duo’s gritty resolve.

Curran and Sharma fell in quick succession leaving a mountain to climb for the incoming batters. Shashank Singh’s breezy 21 allowed Punjab to pile up 176/6 at the end of their innings. Mohammed Siraj was the pick of the bowling lot with figures of 2/26.

With the surface of Chinnaswamy usually known for its assistance towards the batters, things looked shockingly different for the hosts. RCB lost two quick wickets inside the powerplay as Faf du Plessis (3) and Cameron Green (3) were back to the pavilion in no time. However, Virat Kohli was in killer touch and he regulated the tempo of the innings convincingly despite the tumble of wickets at the other end.

Rajat Patidar did provide some support with a gritty 18 but couldn’t brave a challenge from Harpreet Brar, who struck twice in two overs to remove the former, followed by the massive scalp of Glenn Maxwell (3). Hero of the last match, Anuj Rawat couldn’t really get himself going as he and Virat fell in quick succession, tipping the scales of the game once again.

VK scored a brilliant 77 from just 49 balls, an innings that saw him hammering 11 fours and two sixes before being removed by his former RCB teammate, Harshal Patel. Rawat was removed in the very next over by Sam Curran who caught him stranded right in front of the stumps.

With 47 needed off 22, RCB had two new batters coming in and as the cricketing establishments would have, the bowlers were certainly ahead at this point in time. Dinesh Karthik was at the non-striker end while Mahipal Lomror came in as an Impact Substitute in place of Yash Dayal.

The very first ball that Lomror faced was more of a gift and he accepted that with arms wide open, clipping it down the leg side for a boundary. After Lomror, Curran offered another one on the pads and this time it was to Karthik who made no mistake whatsoever in glancing that away for his first boundary of the innings.

That was the start of something very special and RCB started to believe. Lomror put on his scoring jets in the next over and switched gears as he launched Arshdeep Singh for a four and a six in consecutive deliveries. Dinesh Karthik was up next in the line of aggressors as he charged against Harshal, scoring a four and a six to bring the equation down to 10 off 6 and also keep the strike for the final over.

With Arshdeep haring in full steam, DK shuffled across, made room for the scoop and simply lofted him over the rooted Jitesh Sharma behind the stumps across the fence. If DK’s surge wasn’t a blow enough already for the Kings, Arshdeep bowled a wide to make the equation even easier.

With 3 needed off 5, Dinesh Karthik walked down the track and belted Arshdeep straight down for the winning runs, sending the concourse into an explosion of manic frenzy. Virat Kohli was awarded the Player of the Match for his brilliant 77.