On April 20, 2023, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) beat Punjab Kings by 24 runs in match 27 of the TATA IPL 2023 at the Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali. RCB won the toss and chose to bat, with composed half-centuries from Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis propelling RCB to a competitive 174/4. Mohd.
After that, Siraj recorded his best IPL stats (4/24) and executed a spectacular run-out as RCB held off a late charge from Jitesh Sharma (41 off 27) to dismiss PBKS for 150.
Earlier, RCB got off to a steady start with Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis opening the innings. Kohli hit three fours in the first three overs, with Du Plessis then opening up and hitting a couple of sixes off Harpreet Brar.
RCB reached 59/0 as the pair easily found gaps with their well-placed smashes to knock three more fours and add another fifty-run stand. Kohli reached his half-century off 47 balls, while Du Plessis scored 84 off 56 balls. RCB finished 174/4.
In their attempt to chase the target of 175 runs, PBKS got off to a poor start, losing opener Atharva Taide after only the second ball of the game. Matthew Short showed early signs of aggression but was cleaned up by Wanindu Hasaranga, who was brought on early by Kohli. Siraj then struck again to trap Liam Livingstone LBW. PBKS reached 49/4 at the end of the powerplay, with Siraj pulling off a brilliant direct hit to run out Harpreet Singh.
Prabhsimran Singh held fort at one end and kept the scoreboard ticking, hitting a few sixes off Hasaranga, who then pulled off a brilliant direct-hit run-out of Sam Curran. Jitesh Sharma came out and attacked straightaway, hitting a four and a six off Harshal.
With 61 needed off 36, Jitesh Sharma continued to attack, hitting a six off Hasaranga and then a four and six off Vyshak. Jitesh Sharma was dropped by Kohli in the next over and given a lifeline. Even though the equation stated that 30 were needed from 18 balls, Harshal produced a fantastic over and only conceded seven runs.
Siraj then returned and knocked down the stumps of Harpreet Brar and Nathan Ellis to finish his best figures in IPL – 4-0-21-4. Jitesh Sharma’s heroic 41(27) innings came to an end when Harshal got him at backward point off a slower one with 26 needed off 12 balls. PBKS finished on 150, falling short of the target by 24 runs.
In the end, it was RCB’s all-round performance that helped them secure their victory. Kohli and Du Plessis set up a strong total, while Siraj’s bowling and run-out were instrumental in PBKS’ collapse. Harshal’s economical bowling in the death overs also proved to be crucial. RCB will look to carry this momentum into their next game, while PBKS will have to regroup and come back stronger in their upcoming matches.
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