Punjab Kings (PBKS) are knocked out of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 tournament after their loss to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). This win now has given Faf Du Plessis and his side a real chance to make it to the playoffs with two more games left to play.
Batting first, RCB score an imposing 241 for 7 from 20 overs with Virat Kohli top-scoring with 92 runs. Rajat Patidar with 55 and Cameron Green with 46 then made sure the team got the much-needed push towards the end of the innings. Rilee Rossouw tried his best to stage a fightback but the RCB bowlers proved too good and took the game by 60 runs.
Here are the top 5 moments from the game
5. Harshal Patel -3/38 from four overs
Veteran pace bowler Harshal Patel has found his groove with the ball in the second half of the season. The 33-year-old bowled an exceptional last over on a day when the RCB batters were batting well and scoring at a quick pace. Harshal Patel’s three wickets came in the final to take him to the summit of the highest-wicket takers for the IPL 2024 season.
4. Rajat Patidar -55 runs from 23 balls
Royal Challengers Bengaluru batter Rajat Patidar showed why he is one of the most consistent batters for his side. The 30-year-old came out with aggression in his mind as he scored his 4th successive fifty away from home. The knock of 55 runs came with 3 fours and 6 huge sixes to demoralize the Punjab Kings bowlers.
3. Rilee Rossouw – 61 runs from 26 balls
In what was a key game for Punjab Kings, South African batter Rilee Rossouw came good with the bat. The 34-year-old was aggressive right from the start and didn’t let the RCB bowlers settle. Just when he was looking good, the South African batter was out to Karn Sharma caught by Will Jacks at a crucial point in the game.
2. Karn Sharma – 2/36 from 3 overs
The veteran leg-spinner may have been expensive with the ball, but his two wickets were pivotal for RCB. His first wicket of the day was that of Rilee Rossouw who was batting well on 61 and followed it up with the scalp of Jitesh Sharma who saw his stumps disturbed after going for an ugly hoick across the line for just 5 runs.
1. Virat Kohli – 92 runs from 46 balls
The capacity crowd in Dharamshala had their dose of entertainment as Virat Kohli was at his best with the bat once more. The 35-year-old who was dropped twice early in the game made the PBKS bowlers pay as he smashed the bowlers to all parts of the ground. Virat Kohli also went past the 600-run mark for the season.