Royal Challengers Bangalore won the match by 10 wickets against the Kings XI Punjab at Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore. Umesh Yadav was awarded the Man of the Match for his exceptional, stormy and firing bowling that restricted the home side to a skimpy total.
Team Circle of Cricket gets down to list the 5 talking points of the match.
Gayle- Rahul fail
It was yet another a disappointing show from the openers of KXIP, both of them went cheaply in the dugout. Umesh Yadav, the speedster of RCB drew the first blood by taking Rahul's wicket with a short delivery that was hit straight in the hands of Colin de Grandhomme.
To make things worse for the home team, Yadav jolted Chris Gayle to break the backbone of Kings XI Punjab. Punjab's main strength lies in the openers as the other batsmen don't bat as deep as the team unit would like them to.
KXIP middle order blip
It was totally an unexpected batting performance from the team of Punjab on a total batting surface. The middle order kept on giving their wickets away to the bowlers of Bangalore. The procession of wickets did not cease as KXIP were five down for only 61 runs. Moeen Ali came back well after being hit for a six by Aaron Finch, which was soon followed by the run out of R Ashwin.
This was one of the most embarrassing batting performance by KXIP, batsman Karun Nair, and Mayank Agrawal was fallen apart after some devastating bowling from RCB's end.
RCB bowling attack come to the fore
It was surely a total team presentation from Royal Challengers Bangalore as they bowled out KXIP for just 88 runs in 15.1 overs. The bowlers hit the right spot to take down wickets of KXIP. Umesh Yadav picked up a three-wicket haul as KXIP's struggles with the bat continued. There were as many as three run outs which helped RCB bowl KXIP out for 88. In the end, KXIP recorded the second lowest score of the season.
Kohli-Parthiv taking RCB to victory
Virat Kohli came to open with Parthiv Patel with all gun blazing, they scored 92 runs as soon as possible dragging RCB to their fifth victory of the season. Virat was unbeaten on 48 whereas his partner was on 40 to lead their side second successive win, after 2016 where they won five back to back games. Parthiv Patel scored a flurry of boundaries to help RCB race away in the chase, plus Virat Kohli didn't take too long to get into the act.
That was an easy task for RCB to chase a trifling target off 88. Both the batsmen comfortable reach the winning bench after securing a win for their team.
RCB keep playoff hopes alive
Royal Challengers Bangalore won the match after beating Kings XI Punjab by 10 wickets at Indore. This win has led to revival their qualifying chances. They are still in the tournament with an increased net run rate, which has given them hope to clinch victories in their last couple of matches. The bowling department had a remarkable day at the office with rippling KXIP down in the points table.
RCB return to their den with two back-to-back wins for the first time since 2016, where they face 2018 giants SRH at home on Thursday. KXIP have an immediate trip to Mumbai where they go up against Mumbai Indians.
