The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have roared back into form with a dominant win over Punjab Kings (PBKS), avenging their recent loss and making a clear statement — they are not done yet! In the first match of a doubleheader Sunday, RCB delivered a clinical all-round performance, driven by masterful knocks from Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal, and a stellar bowling display that choked the life out of Punjab’s batting lineup.
The game began with RCB skipper Rajat Patidar winning the toss and opting to bowl first — a move that proved to be a masterstroke. Shreyas Iyer, leading PBKS, admitted he would’ve done the same. Punjab got off to a flying start, smashing the new ball to all parts of the ground. However, once the Powerplay ended, the momentum shifted. Krunal Pandya led the bowling charge, dismissing both openers and cracking the Punjab innings wide open. The RCB bowling unit, with the likes of Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, executed pinpoint yorkers in the death overs, completely stifling the opposition’s ability to finish strong.
PBKS, who once looked set for a total around 190, crumbled under pressure and managed only a modest score — not enough to defend against an RCB side hungry for redemption. Despite losing Phil Salt in the very first over of the chase, the visitors didn’t panic. What followed was a sublime 103-run partnership between Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal that effectively sealed the game.
Devdutt Padikkal was in beast mode, smashing a fiery 61 and showing tremendous confidence. He credited his form to months of hard work and the psychological boost of playing alongside Kohli, especially at his home ground, Chinnaswamy. Kohli, on the other hand, once again wore the chase-master crown, crafting an unbeaten 73 off pure class and composure. This innings also marked his 67th IPL fifty, a record that reaffirms his legend status in the league.
At the post-match presentation, Kohli was named Player of the Match, and in true champion spirit, he downplayed his individual performance to highlight the team’s growth and adaptability. He praised Padikkal’s maturity and explained how he modified his own approach to complement Salt’s aggressive start. His words reflected a man focused not just on statistics, but on getting his team over the line.
Captain Rajat Patidar praised both the bowlers and the batters, stating that executing simple plans like bowling tight lines made all the difference on a wicket that got slower as the match progressed. The fielding effort, too, was commendable and contributed significantly to their victory. He emphasized learning from previous mistakes in home games and committed to fixing those going forward.
On the other side, PBKS captain Shreyas Iyer admitted his team failed to capitalize on a strong start and lacked the finishing touch. He also hinted at the need for some middle-order batters to step up, especially during crunch moments. With a bit of a break ahead, he mentioned going back to the drawing board and working on the team’s physical and tactical readiness.
With this win, RCB secured their fifth win of the season — all away from home, proving their resilience. Meanwhile, Punjab Kings suffered their third loss, showing signs of struggle after a promising start to the season.
As we wrapped up this thrilling clash, attention shifted to the second blockbuster of the night — the IPL El Clasico between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings at Wankhede. But RCB fans could breathe easy, knowing their side is back in the fight, with Kohli once again leading from the front.
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