RCB vs PBKS: It took Devdutt Padikkal this many games to finally hit an IPL fifty!

Devdutt Padikkal found much-needed rhythm while Virat Kohli rekindled his chasing prowess as Royal Challengers Bengaluru exacted sweet revenge on Punjab Kings with an easy seven-wicket victory in the IPL on Sunday. Having lost the rain-curtailed home match to Punjab Kings on Friday, RCB turned the tables within less than 48 hours, chasing down a modest 158 with seven balls and wickets to spare. The victory also helped Rajat Patidar's team to enter the top four in the points table.

Leftie Padikkal (61 off 35 balls), whose elegance was on display, scored his first IPL half-century in 22 innings while Kohli remained unbeaten on 73 off 54 balls. The duo added 103 in 11.3 overs to ensure Bengaluru's win without taking much damage.

 

It was Kohli, who started off with a signature pull off Arshdeep Singh where the rolling of wrists kept the ball down and a bowler's back-drive off Xavier Bartlett to signal his intentions.

 

He got an able partner in Padikkal, who hit fours and sixes in equal measure. Against spinners, he would use the depth of the crease to rock back and running between the wickets was fantastic as on one occasion, Kohli pushed him to sprint for four runs.

 

Devdutt Padikkal was dismissed while trying to go for a fifth six off left-arm spinner Harpreet Brar. Once he completed his 50 off 42 balls, Kohli slashed Arshdeep deliberately behind point for a boundary. But undoubtedly the best shot was an inside-out straight six off Yuzvendra Chahal.

 

Earlier, RCB spinners Krunal Pandya and Suyash Sharma bowled stifling spells to restrict Punjab Kings to an under-par 157 for six in 20 overs.

 

Left-arm spinner Krunal (2/25) and leg-spinner Suyash (2/27) were at their crafty best after Royal Challengers opted to field first on a pitch that had a hint of slowness.

 

In fact, the Punjab side made a good start to their innings with Priyansh Arya (22) and Prabhsimran Singh (33) adding 42 runs in 4.2 overs. There was no sign of an impending storm when Arya made his runs through those short-arm pulls and hit-through-line shots.

 

The left-hander was harsh on pacer Yash Dayal whom he carted the bowler for a six and two fours, and sensing the comfort of PBKS openers against quick bowlers RCB skipper Rajat Patidar turned to Pandya in the fifth over.

 

It proved a captaincy master-stroke as Krunal immediately fetched the desired result getting rid of Arya, who could not time the shot well of a slower delivery. Tim David took a simple catch at the edge of the circle.

 

It opened the floodgates as the hosts lost three wickets in the space of 14 runs, slipping to 76 for four, and Nehal Wadhera's horrific run out added to their misery.

 

It reminded one of their collapse to 111 against Kolkata Knight Riders a few days back at the same venue.

 

However, the most disappointing dismissals were that of skipper Shreyas Iyer and Josh Inglis. 

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