‘Kings’ beat Kings: Virat Kohli’s 77 runs lead RCB to four-wicket win over PBKS | Cricket News

Virat Kohli entertained the festive crowd with a brilliant half-century on a slightly sticky pitch as Royal Challengers Bengaluru played in Monday’s IPL China defeated the Punjab Kings by four wickets. The goal of 177 rounds isn’t a very difficult goal, but it needs to be scaled down carefully due to the nature of the deck. Kohli (77, 49b, 11×4, 2×6) put in a near-perfect performance as RCB posted 178 for six with four balls to spare to register their first win of this IPL.

From then on, Royal Challengers needed 47 off 24 balls with Dinesh Karthik (28 not out off 10 balls) and ‘impact player’ Mahipal Lomror (17 not out off 8 balls) ) took them over the ropes with some judicious cricketing. Team Karthik’s designated finisher showed that he can switch seamlessly from the mic to the willow, effortlessly beating Harshar Patel and Arshdeep Singh to finish the match in style.

Kohli’s innings was not flawless as he got a reprieve off both the first zero and the 33rd ball and on both occasions, pacer Sam Curran ) are all the wronged parties.

But when Kohli bats in such high areas, these are temporary distractions for him and the fans.

He proved this to a great extent, scoring 16 straight runs at the start of the chase after the first fall, allowing Curran to score three more fours.

And his money shots – cover drives, slams, high shots at extra cover, Kohli single-handedly dismantled the Kings attack.

But one shot stands out for its sheer timing and execution. Rabada, who was originally good at 2/23, bowled a slightly short ball and Kohli jumped down and stripped it off the cover in a gorgeous manner to make it four.

Maximum cover inside-out over leg-spinner Rahul Chahar also had Kohli’s touch of genius.

The shorts also saw Kohli perform in a cheesy deck that other RCB batsmen like Cameron Green and Glenn Maxwell did well against Rabada and Impressive spinner Harpreet Brar (2/13) struggled to get going.

This was reflected in the fact that the highest partnership in RCB’s innings was 43 runs for the third wicket between Kohli and Rajat Patidar (18, 18b).

But Kohli’s only odyssey came to an end when he chopped off Harshal Patel’s slower ball outside off-stump but failed to generate enough power and distance to clear Brar at third man .

Earlier, captain Shikhar Dhawan’s pragmatism was the cornerstone of Kings XI Punjab’s build-up to 176 for six.

After RCB opted to bowl first, Dhawan (45, 37b), Jitesh Sharma (27, 20b) and Prabhsimran Singh (25, 17b) Was a major contributor for the Kings.

For the home team, Mohammad Siraj and Maxwell took two wickets each.

Kings got off to a shaky start with the early exit of Jonny Bairstow, whose outings on these shores dating back to last year’s World Cup have become more barren than Indian summer.

But coming off 17 for 1, the visitors spotted some runs from Dhawan and Prabhsimran, who chipped away at the pitch, and the RCB bowlers had the composure to score from 38 balls 55 points.

Things didn’t go well for Dhawan during his stay, but he showed enough courage to profit from loose deliveries, such as one off off-stump by left-arm spinner Mayank Dagar. Marking the length ball, he lifts it for a six.

In fact, the RCB bowlers, especially the impressive left-arm seamer Yash Dayal (1/23), did a good job of limiting his deliveries, which came from close range. Distance flew towards him.

Prabhu Simran occasionally gave vent to his attacking instincts, the most telling piece being a six he bowled off Green that flew up to 90 meters past mid-wicket.

But just when the alliance was flourishing, Prabhu Simran tried to pull Maxwell but the weak upper edge was caught by Anuj Rawat at stump.

But soon after Dhawan was eliminated, the Punjab side suffered a heavier blow.

The left-hander tried to lift Maxwell off the ground but it ended up in the hands of Kohli as Kings slipped to 98 for four in 12.1 overs.

The Kings need more running game to give the home team a meaningful challenge.

They found Jitesh and Curran, with Jitesh hitting Dagar twice in a row and Curran taking his fifth wicket in 34 balls 52 points added.