Punjab Kings (PBKS) registered a resounding 54-run victory over Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in March 60 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 at Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai on Friday (May 13).
Invited to bat first, PBKS rode on blazing half-centuries from Liam Livingstone (70 off 42 balls) and Jonny Bairstow (66 off 29 balls) to pile up a mammoth 209/9 in their 20 overs.
Amid the carnage, Wanindu Hasaranga (2-15) returned with fabulous bowling figures for RCB while Harshal Patel claimed four wickets by conceding 34 runs in his four overs.
With the ball, PBKS restricted RCB to 155/9 in 20 overs. All the Punjab bowlers were among the wickets but it was Kagiso Rabada who stole the show, picking three wickets by giving away just 21 runs in his four overs. While Rishi Dhawan (2-36) and Rahul Chahar (2-37) took two scalps each, Arshdeep Singh (1-27) and Harpreet Brar (1-33) claimed wicket apiece.
It was a forgettable batting performance from RCB as no one even managed to touch the 40-run mark. Glenn Maxwell was the top scorer with 22-ball 35.
With this thumping victory, Punjab Kings jumped to the sixth spot on the points table and kept their playoffs hopes alive.
For their clinical victory in a crucial match, the Mayank Agarwal-led Punjab franchise received rich praises from the cricket fraternity on Twitter.
Here are the reactions:
