A fine effort by the Punjab Kings bowlers after the half-century stand by Rajat Patidar and Glenn Maxwell limited Royal Challengers Bangalore to 155 for 9, helping their team secure a 54-run win. The foundation for PBKS' big score was led by two Englishmen - Jonny Bairstow and Liam Livingstone - who stroked quickfire fifties. With their sixth win in 12 games, importantly with a big margin, PBKS have kept themselves in with a chance for a playoff spot.
Jonny Bairstow and Shikhar Dhawan put on a 60-run stand for the opening wicket © BCCI/IPL
Glenn Maxwell gone, Dinesh Karthik gone. Is the chase already over for RCB?
WICKET Rahul Chahar finally gets the better of Rajat Patidar. After a series of wide legbreaks, the batter finally manages to connect but only to hole out to the fielder at long on. A 64-run stand that was promising to keep RCB in the chase has finally come to an end.
After a steady start by Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis, RCB are left reeling in the run chase. Rishi Dhawan has struck twice in quick succession. Both the openers as well as Mahipal Lomror are back in the dugout. 40/3 in 4.5 overs.
Liam Livingstone's 42-ball 70 powered PBKS in the death overs and helped them to 209 for 9. While Josh Hazlewood was hammered and returned figures of 0 for 64, Wanindu Hasaranga returned impressive numbers of 2 for 15. Harshal Patel bowled a fine last over conceding only four runs, but RCB are left with a tall task to seal their playoff berth.
Punjab batters are going after everything. Some big hits, a few wickets, but most importantly, the big-hitting Liam Livingstone has been kept off strike for most parts of these overs. 176/6 in 17.3 overs.
WICKET Shahbaz Ahmed strikes, right after the first time out. Jonny bairstow looking to attack the left-armer off the first ball, gets a top edge and Mohammed Siraj takes the catch safely.
PBKS - 83/1 in 6 overs - HIGHEST POWERPLAY SCORE THIS SEASON SO FAR
FIFTYJonny Bairstow brings up his half-century with a six, reaching the landmark off only 21 deliveries. It's his ninth IPL fifty and the fastest.
WICKETGlenn Maxwell strikes. Shikhar Dhawan is cleaned up. Finally a moment of success for RCB. The opening partnership breaks on 60.
FIFTY PARTNERSHIP Jonny Bairstow and Shikhar Dhawan have brought up their half-century stand in only 23 balls.
Jonny Bairstow is off to a quick start. He cracks a six - his 50th in IPL - with a neat swing of the bat over deep mid wicket. RCB are on the backfoot early.
Jonny Bairstow and Shikhar Dhawan have walked out to open the innings for PBKS. Glenn Maxwell opens the attack for RCB.
This is Mohammed Siraj's 100th T20.
TOSS; Royal Challengers Bangalore have won the toss and elected to field. Ninth toss lost by Punjab Kings this season. Harpreet Brar comes in for Sandeep Sharma.
Teams:
Punjab Kings (Playing XI): Jonny Bairstow, Shikhar Dhawan, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Mayank Agarwal(c), Jitesh Sharma(w), Liam Livingstone, Rishi Dhawan, Kagiso Rabada, Rahul Chahar, Harpreet Brar, Arshdeep Singh
Royal Challengers Bangalore (Playing XI): Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis(c), Rajat Patidar, Glenn Maxwell, Dinesh Karthik(w), Mahipal Lomror, Shahbaz Ahmed, Wanindu Hasaranga, Harshal Patel, Mohammed Siraj, Josh Hazlewood
Hello and welcome to Match 60 of IPL 2022, set to be played between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Punjab Kings. While the Faf du Plessis-led side would be gearing to fight for a top-two finish in the league phase, Punjab Kings are left to chase for playoff qualification in a tight mid-table battle. Who will come out trumps in tonight's encounter at the Brabourne Stadium, which has been the highest scoring venue this season? We will be bringing you the live updates of the contest between RCB and PBKS. You can join in as well with your views and questions. Tweet to us using #CricbuzzQnV