RCB vs PBKS Match, IPL 2024:
In a dramatic twist of fate, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) garnered their inaugural win of the IPL 2024 season. Clashing on the Bangalore turf, RCB handed a stern defeat to the Shikhar Dhawan-led Punjab Kings (PBKS) by 4 wickets.
In this electrifying match, Virat Kohli played a thunderous half-century knock. Just as the tide seemed to be turning in Punjab's favor, Dinesh Karthik turned the tide with an undefeated 28 runs off 10 balls, wresting the victory from the jaws of Punjab.
RCB Opens Season with a Notch in the Win Column
Captained by Faf du Plessis, RCB celebrated their first-season win. In their opener, RCB faced defeat by Chennai Super Kings (CSK). On the flip side, PBKS captained by the talismanic Shikhar Dhawan, known widely as 'Gabbar', experienced their first loss of the season after overcoming Rishabh Pant's Delhi Capitals (DC) in their previous match.
Chasing a target of 177 runs, RCB claimed the match by scoring the required runs off 19.2 overs while losing 6 wickets. Kohli led the scoreboard with a spectacular 77 off 49 balls, Karthik contributed an undefeated 28, and Mahipal Lomror's crucial unbeaten 17 runs. Kagiso Rabada and Harpreet Brar from the PBKS camp both notched 2 wickets each.
Karthik and Lomror Flip the Game on Its Head
With 36 runs needed off the last 18 balls, Karthik and Lomror were at the crease on 6 and 5 runs respectively. The match seemed to be tilting in favor of PBKS, with only 4 RCB wickets remaining. However, 18th over bowled by Arshdeep Singh saw Lomror plunder 13 runs with a six and a four.
Needing 23 off 12, it was Karthik who swung his bat effectively, clobbering 13 runs including a six and a four off Harshal Patel's over. With just 10 needed off the final over, Karthik was on strike, smashing the first two deliveries from Arshdeep for a six and a four, snatching the win from Punjab's grasp.
Dhawan Plays a Captain's Knock
In the sixth game of the season, PBKS scored 176 for 6 after being put in to bat. Dhawan topped the score chart with a rapid 45 off 37. Jitesh Sharma added 27, Prabh Simran Singh chipped in with 25, and Sam Curran contributed 23 runs. From RCB, Mohammed Siraj and Glenn Maxwell claimed 2 wickets each.
Punjab's Upper Hand in Head-to-Head
Examining the rivalry in the IPL, prior to this face-off, PBKS had the upper hand with 3 wins out of the last 5 encounters, while RCB claimed 2 victories. Looking at the overall head-to-head record, PBKS lead with 17 wins to RCB's 15 out of 32 total contests.
The Squads of Bangalore and Punjab in IPL 2024
Royal Challengers Bangalore:
Faf du Plessis (Captain), Virat Kohli, Cameron Green, Rajat Patidar, Glenn Maxwell, Anuj Rawat (Wicketkeeper), Dinesh Karthik, Alzarri Joseph, Mayank Dagar, Mohammed Siraj, and Yash Dayal/Mahipal Lomror (Impact Player).
Punjab Kings:
Shikhar Dhawan (Captain), Jonny Bairstow, Prabh Simran Singh/Arshdeep Singh (Impact Player), Sam Curran, Jitesh Sharma (Wicketkeeper), Liam Livingstone, Shashank Singh, Harpreet Brar, Harshal Patel, Kagiso Rabada, and Rahul Chahar.
