The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 witnessed a dramatic shift in the points table as the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) secured a thrilling victory over the Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. This win propelled RCB from the ninth to the sixth position, while Punjab Kings remain just above them at the fifth spot.
Kohli Masterclass Overshadowed by Last-Over Drama
Chasing a target of 177 set by Punjab Kings, Virat Kohli, the “chasemaster,” seemed to have everything under control. His dominant 49-ball 77 had the Bengaluru crowd roaring, but a tight spell from Harpreet Brar and crucial wickets from Kagiso Rabada threatened to derail RCB’s chase. The pressure mounted, with the crowd falling silent as wickets tumbled.
Enter Dinesh Karthik, defying his age of 38 with a spectacular display of finishing power. Requiring a challenging 47 runs off just 22 balls, Karthik remained unbeaten, smashing a crucial 28 off just 10 deliveries, including three fours and two sixes. His heroics sealed the win for RCB with four balls to spare.
Punjab’s Missed Opportunities Prove Costly
Earlier, Punjab Kings had the opportunity to set a more daunting target. They were put in to bat first by the hosts, but the early breakthrough of Jonny Bairstow from Mohammed Siraj and tight bowling from Yash Dayal kept the score in check. A fifty-run partnership between Prabhsimran Singh and Shikhar Dhawan offered promise, but Maxwell’s double-wicket haul shifted the momentum towards RCB.
While a half-century partnership between Jitesh Sharma and Sam Curran revived Punjab’s innings, crucial wickets and some wayward bowling in the final over restricted them to a below-par score of 176. Adding to their woes, Punjab dropped Kohli twice during his innings, a decision that ultimately proved costly.
Points Table Shuffle: RCB on the Rise
With this victory, RCB has climbed three positions in the IPL 2024 points table. However, the race for the top remains tight. Rajasthan Royals still hold the top spot, while a win in their next match could see RCB climb even higher. The Punjab Kings, despite the loss, maintain their fifth position but with a lower net run rate compared to RCB.
IPL 2024 Points Table: Updated After RCB vs PBKS Match 6
| Rank | Team | Matches | Wins | Losses | Points | NRR |
| 1 | Rajasthan Royals | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | +1.000 |
| 2 | Chennai Super Kings | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | +0.779 |
| 3 | Gujarat Titans | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | +0.300 |
| 4 | Kolkata Knight Riders | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | +0.200 |
| 5 | Punjab Kings | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | +0.025 |
| 6 | Royal Challengers Bangalore | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -0.180 |
| 7 | Sunrisers Hyderabad | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | -0.200 |
| 8 | Mumbai Indians | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | -0.300 |
| 9 | Delhi Capitals | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | -0.455 |
| 10 | Lucknow Super Giants | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | -1.000 |
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