Kings XI Punjab defeats Royal Challengers Bangalore by 8 wickets in the 31st match of the 2020 IPL season. Universe Boss Chris Gayle back in the side for Kings XI Punjab for the first time in this year’s tournament and scores 53 runs in 45 balls (one 4’s and five 6’s).
Virat Kohli won the toss and elected to bat first on a slow pitch. Bangalore managed to score 171/6 in 20 overs by the courtesy of 24 run final over by Mohammed Shami. Punjab looked comfortable in the chase but left it too late till final ball to score 177/2 in 20 overs.
None of Royal Challenger scored an half-century, Virat Kohli is the highest scorer for the night with 48 runs in 39 balls, Chris Morris scored 25 runs in 8 balls at the end. Murgan Ashwin impressed with ball tonight, the young leg spinner claimed two wickets in four overs for 23 runs. Shami also bowled really well except the final over, he took wickets of both AB De Villiers and Virat Kohli in 18th over of the innings.
KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal gave another solid start for Kings XI Punjab with 78 runs first wicket partnership in 8 overs. Mayank scored 45 runs in just 25 balls with the help of four 4’s and three 6’s. KL Rahul 61 not out in 49 balls and Chris Gayle 53 of 45 sees out Bangalore bowling attack.
In the end 2 runs needed of final over, Chahal almost defended it, he allowed just 1 run and 1 out in first 5 balls. With scores tied, Pooran came to the crease to face the final ball. The Lefty hit the full toss to six to give second win of the season for Kings XI Punjab.
With second win of the tournament Punjab stays at the bottom of the table with 4 points in 8 matches. Bangalore missed an opportunity to climb to second place in the table, they stays at third place with 10 points in 8 matches. Punjab’s two wins came against RCB and KL Rahul won the Man of the match in both games.
KL Rahul, Man of the Match :
“I don’t even have words. We knew that we had to scrap and get over the line once and that would give us the confidence. We’re a far better side than bottom of the table. Towards the end it got too close for comfort but happy that we made it. It’s very natural to feel disappointed and frustrated and it’s not just me, as a group we’ve been frustrated.
Our skills were very good, probably didn’t capitalize in the big moments starting with the first game at Delhi. It’s part of the IPL, it’s part of cricket. There are ups and downs and this has been the kind of rollercoaster that’s been crazy but on a positive note we needed this win. At the moment, my first time as captain, you kind of don’t reflect on your own performance.
As a leader you need to think of everybody and how to manage the 15 or the 25 balanced and hungry to do well. That’s been the challenge so personal performances haven’t been on my mind so much. Chris has nott been feeling well but he’s always been hungry. Anyone who saw him, he was training hard like he’s probably never done. It was a tough call to make not to play someone like that. I won’t take credit but it’s important to keep the lion hungry sometimes. Wherever he bats, he’s still the same player and it worked today. Hopefully he can carry on.”
C Gayle: Not really nervous. I mean, come on. It’s Universe Boss batting, how can I be nervous. It was a very sticky surface, very slow, but it was better batting second. Team asked me to do a job at 3 and it wasn’t an issue. Openers been batting well throughout the tournament and we didn’t want to disturb that. Like I said, I was given a job and took it. All I was saying, put some respect on the name [by pointing to his bat sticker]. That’s all.
V Kohli,Captain of Royal Challengers Bangalore:
“It was quite surprising, we thought the game might finish in the 18th. A bit of pressure at the back end can confuse you, anything can happen in this game. Good performance by KXIP, we were not in the game tonight. [About AB batting at 6] We had a chat, a message from outside about left-right combination and we wanted to go with it because they had two leggies. Sometimes things don’t come off. We’re pretty happy with the decisions we took, but it didn’t come off. Having 170 was a decent score. The idea was to let them [Dube and Sundar] to get their eye in. They bowled well. It’s not a great ground for bowlers but that’s not an excuse. We take pride in our bowling. tonight it didn’t come off and we have to accept it and take responsibility. There’s always something to learn to go back and understand. There was no conversation with Chahal to be honest. The only conversation was with the last ball, we wanted him to push it away. Credit to Nicholas.”
