IPL 2024, PBKS vs RCB, Key Takeaways: Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar & bowlers keep RCB in playoff hunt; Punjab Kings eliminated. Top takeaways for PBKS vs RCB from the match.
Brief Scores: RCB 241/7 (Virat Kohli 92, Rajat Patidar 55, Harshal Patel 3/38) lost to RR 163/3 (Rilee Rossouw 61, Shashank Singh 37, Mohammad Siraj 3/43) by 60 runs.
Player of the Match: Virat Kohli (92 in 47 balls)
A resurgent Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) traveled to picturesque Dharamsala, where Punjab Kings (PBKS) hosted them in a must-win game for both these sides.
We saw yet another big total posted in the IPL, and it was the turn of RCB this time as they amassed 241 thanks to rollicking knocks by Virat Kohli and Rajat Patidar.
PBKS’ middle-order quite badly and couldn’t capitalize on the quickfire half-century from Rilee Rossouw as they lost by 60 runs to bow out of the tournament.
Key Takeaways from PBKS vs RCB, Match 58, Winning Team (RCB)
Kohli – Patidar help RCB put a strong total
Being inserted to bat, RCB lost their skipper, Faf du Plessis, and informed Will Jacks early in the piece. But that didn’t deter the Kohli-Patidar pair from dominating the proceedings.
Virat Kohli, who had another blazing start in the powerplays, played second fiddle once Patidar appeared on the scene. The latter took the aggressor's role in the partnership, and his three sixes in a Rahul Chahar set the tone for the partnership.
He hit his fourth fifty of the tournament in just 21 balls before getting out on 55. Kohli, though, went from strength to strength after his half-century of 32 balls, as in the next 15 balls, he made 42 runs. This pushed RCB’s score to a massive 241 in this must-win clash.
Read More: IPL 2024, RCB vs GT, Key Takeaways: Brisk knocks by Du Plessis, Kohli & pacers' returns help RCB win
RCB flourished a little late in the tournament, do they have a chance?
Until a couple of weeks ago, RCB was never in contention for a playoff spot, having won just one of their first eight games. Despite winning four on the bounce since then, they still are, but this string of wins has given them an outside chance.
Their middle-order batting is clicking with Cameron Green and Patidar among runs. Also, they seem to have found their best bowling combination at the fag end of the campaign.
Though it is still an uphill task for RCB to move to knockouts, all is not lost for the Faf-led side.
Key takeaways from PBKS vs RCB, Match 58, Losing Team (PBKS)
Rilee Rossouw showed intent
The veteran South Africa, who had played just five games before this, scored just 79 runs despite being a senior player in the side.
PBKS expected much of him, and he was disappointed big time. However, come this game against, he showed his true potential by hammering 61 off just 27 runs.
His knock kept PBKS in the hunt regarding run rate, and once he got out, it was all curtains for PBKS.
Read More: IPL 2024, PBKS vs CSK, Key Takeaways: Jadeja rises as key differentiator with 3-20 & 43(26); CSK win
Statistical highlights from PBKS vs RCB, Match 58, IPL 2024
In this game, India's uncapped pacer, Vidwath Kaverappa, makes his IPL debut for Punjab Kings. His maiden wicket was RCB skipper Faf du Plessis, whom he dismissed in his second over.
Interestingly, Kagsio Rabada, who didn’t feature in this game, dismissed Virat Kohli four times in T20s while conceding 51 runs from 48 balls.
The pacer also has dismissed Faf du Plessis five times while giving away 67 runs in 49 deliveries.
Virat Kohli has scored 79 runs off pacer Arshdeep Singh in 41 balls with one solitary dismissal.
RCB’s 241/7 is their fourth-highest total in IPL and their highest away from Bengaluru.
Harshal Patel is the highest wicket-taker in this IPL, with 20 scalps from 12 games.
Virat Kohli crosses 1000 IPL runs against PBKS. He already has scored over 1000 against CSK and Delhi Capitals.
Points Table Scenario and what’s next to come
With this result, PBKS becomes the second team after Mumbai to be eliminated from this season of IPL. RCB just about managed to survive, as they now have 10 points with two games to go.
RCB next faces Delhi Capitals at home on May 12, another virtual Knockout game.
In Game 59 of the IPL 2024, the fourth-placed Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will take on the bottom-placed Gujarat Titans (GT) at Ahmedabad.
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