IPL 2023: WATCH- Virat Kohli gives animated sendoff to Harpreet Singh Bhatia after he is run out by Mohammed Siraj

Siraj had a hand in three of the five dismissals by the half-way stage of PBKS batting.

The 27^th match of the IPL 2023 sees Punjab Kings (PBKS) hosting Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at the IS Bindra PCA Stadium in Mohali, Punjab on April 20, 2023. The match saw Virat Kohli captaining the RCB side in place of Faf du Plessis, who was substituted for an impact player.

PBKS was also captained by Sam Curran as Shikhar Dhawan is yet to regain full fitness. Curran called the coin toss right and decided to bowl first. While RCB was unchanged, PBKs brought in Nathan Ellis and Liam Livingstone, leaving out Kagiso Rabada.

Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis gave RCB a massive opening stand of 137 runs in 16.1 overs. Kohli fell for 59 in 47 balls, while Du Plessis hammered 84 in 56 balls with 5 fours and 5 sixes. This proved to be a game changer for them as RCB could only manage 174/4 in 20 overs.

In reply, Mohammed Siraj was on fire with the ball, removing Atharva Taide for 4 and Liam Livingstone for 2. Matthew Short hit a huge six, but was dismissed by Wanindu Hasaranga.

IPL 2023: WATCH- Virat Kohli comes out for toss as RCB captain vs PBKS; fans on Twitter get nostalgic

Then Siraj starred in the field as well. On the 3^rd ball of the 6^th over, Prabhsimran Singh plonked a delivery to mid-off and took a few steps anticipating a single. But Siraj was quick to the ball and threw the ball at the stumps at the non-striker end.

Harpreet Singh Bhatia had responded to Prabhsimran and was too far away to reach back as the ball hit the stumps, sending him back to the dugout.

While Siraj celebrated in Cristiano Ronaldo style, it was captain Virat Kohli’s celebration that caught the eye. He was at covers and as soon as the ball hit the stumps, he ran towards Siraj and in doing so, gestured animatedly towards Harpreet and even mouthed some words.

Check it out here: