The Holkar Stadium, Indore hosted the much-anticipated encounter between Kings XI Punjab and Royal Challengers Bangalore in the 48th match of IPL 2018. Both the teams were studded with power-packed batting line-ups and a run feast was expected. But opposite to the expectations, RCB decimated the hosts and bundled them out for a well below par score.
Virat Kohli won the toss and claimed it was a no-brainer in putting the opposition in to bat first. The KXIP openers KL Rahul and Chris Gayle raised the expectations of the capacity crowd by striking big early. Both of them went off the blocks quickly as the score flew to 28 after 4 overs.
But a calamity struck the hosts when both of them were sent back by Umesh Yadav in the same over. It was as if the rope was cut loose and the batsmen below dropped into the pit. There was absolutely no restraint from the RCB bowlers who pounced on the opportunity big time.
Karun Nair, Marcus Stoinis, Mayank Agarwal fell before the halfway mark and KXIP were left reeling at 61/5. Aaron Finch showed some fight with 26 off 23 balls but as he departed in the 12th over, another collapse hit them and very soon, they were bowled out for just 88 in 15.1 overs.
It was a golden opportunity for RCB to resurrect their net run-rate. Apart from Sunrisers Hyderabad and Chennai Super Kings, 5 teams are fighting for the other 2 playoff spots. RCB are still in contention and needed to better the net run-rate along with winning their remaining games in case of a tie with other teams.
Virat Kohli had that well and truly in his mind and so, he opened the innings alongside Parthiv Patel. Both the batsmen were explosive from the outset. They went hammer and tongs and after the end of the powerplay, the score was boosted to 66/0. A few balls later, the game came to an end as RCB chased the target down in just 8.1 overs and won the match by 10 wickets.
Match Summary
Royal Challengers Bangalore won the toss and opted to bowl first
Kings XI Punjab:Â 88/10 in 15.1 overs
Aaron Finch 26 (23), KL Rahul 21 (15)
Umesh Yadav 23/3 (4), Yuzvendra Chahal 6/1 (2)
Royal Challengers Bangalore:Â 92/0 in 8.1 overs
Virat Kohli 48* (28), Parthiv Patel 40* (22)
Royal Challengers Bangalore won by 10 wickets
Player of the Match: Umesh Yadav
Twitterati mocked the pathetic batting of KXIP
The only team to lift the trophy with Preity Zinta support #KXIPvRCB #RCB #KXIP pic.twitter.com/iQMlwrO4RE
— Moumita🇮🇳 (@i_m_mou) May 14, 2018
Dear #RCB, you’re like the girl who breaks up with you on New Years but gives you a missed call on Valentines Day. #keepinghopealive #stillloveyou #thishurts @RCBTweets #KXIPvRCB
— Nikhil Chinapa (@nikhilchinapa) May 14, 2018
Kings having serious jitters….They say that crossing the finish line is toughest in sport. #KXIPvRCB #IPL
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) May 14, 2018
Remember when things were just going fine for KXIP and then they decided to experiment with their batting order against Rajasthan Royals for no reason…. been all downhill since then. #IPL2018 #KXIPvRCB
— Chetan Narula (@chetannarula) May 14, 2018
What poor cricket from @lionsdenkxip this is really bad from them. @RCBTweets should treat this as a 10 over game and close it. They will need to improve their NRR and this is their chance.
— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) May 14, 2018
Punjab's performance so far tonite has been without tadka. Where had the earlier elan vanished?
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) May 14, 2018
After watching #KXIP batting lineup
Virat Kohli: #KXIPvRCB pic.twitter.com/lEsBbVmYdy
— Rishabh Srivastava (@AskRishabh) May 14, 2018
Surya kumar and Ishan. Surya kumar and Rohit. Gayle and Rahul. Mayank, Finch and Yuvi. Batsmen Umesh has dismissed in one over this season. #KXIPvRCB
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) May 14, 2018
Same to Same……!#KXIPvRCB pic.twitter.com/xxKFnAc9dY
— Krishna (@Atheist_Krishna) May 14, 2018
What a fiery spell of fast bowling by Umesh🔥🔥🔥 In a batsman favouring format, these are a delight to watch #KXIPvRCB
— Gaurav Kapur (@gauravkapur) May 14, 2018
Expect the unexpected. The climb for RCB and their NRR this game. #KXIPvRCB 😀
— Prabhu (@Cricprabhu) May 14, 2018
After Watching #RCB bowling #KXIPvRCB pic.twitter.com/XfaYbOq51n
— Rishabh Srivastava (@AskRishabh) May 14, 2018
https://twitter.com/FarziCricketer/status/996050795039617024
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