60th match, RCB vs PBKS: Punjab Kings won by 54 runs
The Punjab Kings (PBKS) won the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 on Friday at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai, defeating the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) by 54 runs. Jonny Bairstow and Liam Livingstone bowled whirlwind innings to help PBKS to a massive total of 209 before winning by 54 runs. RCB openers Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis replied forcefully at the top, chasing 210 to win. After three overs, RCB were 31/0. Kohli added two fours and a six. After Kohli was caught at short fine leg, Rabada took the first wicket. After being caught behind by Rishi Dhawan, Faf du Plessis went out in the next over.
After Mahipal Lomror was caught inside the circle, RCB were 44/3 at the end of the powerplay. RCB's comeback was led by Glenn Maxwell and Rajat Patidar, who formed a valuable collaboration. Patidar blasted two sixes while Maxwell generated runs with his characteristic switch hit. The duo's fifty collaboration was up, and RCB were 95/3 at halftime. After Patidar holed out to long-on, Rahul Chahar ended the partnership. Harpreet Brar dismissed Maxwell for 35 runs, and RCB lost half their team. As Arshdeep grabbed his maiden wicket, Dinesh Karthik was the next batter to depart, and RCB needed 90 runs off the final five overs.
Shahbaz Ahmed was dismissed by Rabada, while Hasaranga was dismissed by Harpreet Brar, who took a superb catch in the outfield off Chahar's bowling. RCB were 55 runs short of their mark as Rabada took his third wicket in the penultimate over, dismissing Harshal Patel. Earlier, Harpreet Brar replaced Sandeep Sharma in the PBKS eleven, who were assigned to bat first. Jonny Bairstow smashed two sixes and as many fours in the second over, scoring 22 runs. After Shikhar Dhawan hit two fours and a six at the other end, the fifty partnership was up for the first wicket.
Maxwell dismissed Dhawan for 21 runs before Bairstow completed his half-century with two sixes in the final over. After Rajapaksa was caught at short third man, Wanindu Hasaranga took the second wicket for RCB. PBKS reached 100 in the 9th over when Shahbaz Ahmed ended Bairstow's innings in the 10th over when the opener was caught by Siraj. Liam Livingstone, who was joined by skipper Mayank Agarwal, continued the batting barrage with three fours and two sixes. After Agarwal was caught inside the circle, Harshal Patel ended the fifty-run stand. PBKS were 163-4 at the end of 16 overs when Hasaranga bamboozled Jitesh Sharma for his second wicket.
Harpreet Brar hit a six-run home run before being caught behind by Harshal Patel. The 200 was up for PBKS after Livingstone reached his half-century with a four. Livingstone hit two sixes and as many fours in the penultimate over, scoring 24 runs. As PBKS posted 209/9 in the first innings, the all-rounder was dismissed in the penultimate over by Harshal Patel, who surrendered only four runs.
Scores: Punjab Kings 209/9 (Liam Livingstone 70, Jonny Bairstow 66; Harshal Patel 4-34) beat Royal Challengers Bangalore 155/9 (Glenn Maxwell 35, Rajat Patidar 26; Kagiso Rabada 3-21) by 54 runs.
