AI Simulation, PBKS vs RCB | Kohlis chase masterclass seals last-over thriller in Dharamshala
Royal Challengers Bengaluru cement their place at the top by defeating Punjab Kings again. Virat Kohli played a brilliant unbeaten knock in the chase, as Tim David's late explosives helped RCB to chase down the massive target.
Pitch and Weather
The match will be played at the HPCA Stadium, which offers good pace and carry being favourable for stroke play. Pacers will be able to find some benefit in the cool conditions, but once the batters are set on the crease, the outfield and altitude will allow them to score well. Dew is also expected in the second innings, which will aid the chasing team. The weather for this game is cool and clear, with light clouds covering the sky.
Toss
Royal Challengers Bengaluru wins the toss and decides to bowl first, aiming to extract the seam movement.
Lineups
Punjab Kings: Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh, Cooper Connolly, Shreyas Iyer (C), Suryansh Shedge, Shashank Singh, Azmatullah Omarzai, Marco Jansen, Xavier Bartlett, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal, Vishnu Vinod (Impact)
Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Jacob Bethell, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (C), Jitesh Sharma, Tim David, Venkatesh Iyer, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Rasikh Salam Dar, Jacob Duffy (Impact), Josh Hazlewood
Match Report
Punjab Kings had a good start in the powerplay, as Priyansh Arya attacked Bhuvneshwar Kumar while Prabhsimran Singh also targeted the square of the wicket region. The team went on to score 59/1 in the first six overs, before Josh Hazlewood removed Prabhsimran Singh and Cooper Connolly in quick succession.
Shreyas Iyer was able to rebuild the innings with Shashank Singh, as they rotated the strike well against Krunal Pandya and Rasikh Salam. Their innings gained momentum when Azmatullah Omarzai attacked Jacob Duffy by smashing consecutive boundaries. Punjab Kings finished by scoring 184/7 in 20 overs, with Shreyas Iyer scoring 58.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru lost Jacob Bethell early to Arshdeep Singh, but Virat Kohli was able to steady the chase in his own style. Devdutt Padikkal also showed some confidence in the powerplay with his stroke play, as RCB went on to score 54/1 in six overs.
The turning point arrived when Yuzvendra Chahal dismissed Padikkal and Patidar in quick succession, as RCB needed 72 runs off the last 7 overs. Kohli was able to anchor the chase beautifully, as Tim David provided him with the aggressive support in the death overs.
RCB needed 18 runs off the last over, when Tim David smashed Xavier Bartlett for two consecutive sixes. Kohli finished the game with a boundary, as RCB scored 186/5 with one ball remaining.
Player of the Match
Virat Kohli wins the Player of the Match award for scoring 79 runs off 52 balls, as he controlled the chase with his experience.