Chahal stars as RCB reach playoffs with win over Punjab
Leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal inspired Royal Challengers Banglore (RCB) to a six-run win over Punjab Kings and confirmed their playoffs’ spot in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
RCB put up a team show with hard-hitter Glenn Maxwell providing propelling them to defend 165-run target after they suffered a mini-collapse in the middle-overs.
With this win, RCB is the third team after Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals, to cement their place in the top four.
Chahal spins Punjab Kings after brilliant opening stand
Yuzvendra Chahal bowled a brilliant spell to led RCB to dominate in middle-overs after KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal put up a 91-run stand.
Although Shahbaz Ahmed broke the partnership by removing Rahul (39), Chahal put Punjab Kings on the back foot right after with dismissals of Nicholas Pooran (3), Agarwal (57) and Sarfaraz Ahmed (0). He finished with figures of 3/29 in four overs.
Maxwell puts on the show for RCB
Glenn Maxwell impressed once again with the bat and registered third consecutive fifty in the IPL. Maxwell previously scored fifties against Rajashtan Royals and Mumbai Indians.
The 32-year-old rescued RCB when Henriques bagged three wickets in quick succession to give Punjab Kings an upper hand.
Maxwell was supported brilliantly by AB de Villiers and the pair added 73 off 40 balls for the fourth wicket.
In his 37-ball 53, the Australian smacked four maximums and three fours while de Villiers made 18-ball 23, powered by two sixes and a four.
Henriques executes impressive spell
The Australian all-rounder caused trouble for RCB and brought Punjab Kings back in the match with three wickets in his first two overs.
He dismissed RCB captain Virat Kohli (25) followed by Dan Christian (0) on the very first ball. In the 12th over, he had the better of Devdutt Padikkal (40), who was setting up for a big knock.
In his comeback game, gave away only 12 runs and didn’t concede any boundary.
Padikkal survives controversial call
A third umpiring decision in IPL 2021 left everyone surprised after such an incident happened for the second time in recent days.
Padikkal was attempting a reverse sweep against Punjab Kings’ Ravi Bishnoi in the 8th over and could not connect properly. However, it seemingly brushed his glove and was caught by KL Rahul.
Punjab reviewed the initial not-out decision of the on-field umpire, with captain Rahul being quite sure of the call.
Third umpire K Srinivasan had a look and ruled in favour of the batter despite a bit of a clear spike as the ball goes under the glove on UltraEdge. Punjab captain Rahul was agonized with the call and could be seen asking the on-field umpires.
Nonetheless, Punjab Kings are now out of the playoffs contention.
