In the picturesque setting of the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala, the 58th match of the IPL 2024 season unfolded between Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (PBKS vs RCB).
The match commenced at 7:30 PM IST on 9th May 2024, where PBKS won the toss and opted to field first.
Let check out PBKS vs RCB head to head in the IPL.
PBKS vs RCB: Head-To-Head in IPL
32 matches played between the PBKS vs RCB. Punjab Kings has won 17 matches while Royal Challengers Bengaluru has won 15 matches.
PBKS vs RCB: Toss Moment
Punjab Kings won the toss and opted to field first.
“We’re bowling first. There seems to be something in the pitch for the bowlers, and we’ll try to capitalize on that to put RCB under pressure. Despite losing our last chase, we’re not dwelling on it. Our approach is simple—win every game and hope other results favor us.
Sam Curran, PBKS Skipper
It’s tough losing, but morale is high. We’re at a beautiful venue, and we’re hoping some new players make a significant impact. Liam Livingstone replaces Kagiso Rabada, and we’re also making a strategic change with an impact player, leveraging our batting strength.”
“We would have opted to bowl first too. It’s been a solid turnaround for us, and our focus is on improving each day. We’re not concerned with the points table, just concentrating on what we need to do to succeed. There’s one change in our lineup: Glenn Maxwell is out, and Lockie Ferguson is in.”
Faf du Plessis, RCB Skipper
PBKS vs RCB: First Innings
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Batting
RCB’s innings was a display of sheer dominance, particularly from Virat Kohli, who scored a magnificent 92 runs off 47 balls, including seven 4s and six 6s.
Rajat Patidar and Cameron Green also contributed significantly with scores of 55 (23) and 46 (27) respectively.
The team’s collective effort led to a formidable total of 241 runs for 7 wickets.
Punjab Kings Bowling
The PBKS bowlers had a challenging day, with Harshal Patel taking 3 wickets for 38 runs and Vidwath Kaverappa claiming 2 for 36.
Arshdeep Singh and Sam Curran each took a wicket, but they couldn’t prevent RCB from setting a high target.
PBKS vs RCB: Second Innings
Punjab Kings Batting
In response, PBKS started their chase with determination.
Rilee Rossouw top-scored with 61 runs off 27 balls, and Shashank Singh added a quick 37 runs.
However, the rest of the batting lineup couldn’t keep up with the required run rate, and the team was all out for 181 runs in 17 overs.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Bowling
RCB’s bowlers were on target, with Mohammed Siraj leading the pack with 3 wickets for 43 runs.
Swapnil Singh and Lockie Ferguson both took 2 wickets each, and Karn Sharma also chipped in with 2 wickets, ensuring a comfortable win for RCB by 60 runs.
Man of the Match
The victory was largely attributed to Kohli’s exceptional batting performance, earning him the Man of the Match title.
His innings not only provided a solid foundation but also showcased his ability to accelerate the scoring rate when needed.
“For me, at 36, it’s about quality over quantity. I focus on practising less but improving specific skills. I introduced the slog sweep without much practice because I aim to find gaps and maintain a strong strike rate in the middle overs. Honesty is key. We were not up to mark in the first half of the tournament.
Virat Kohli, RCB
A crucial team discussion in Kolkata turned things around. We’ve improved, especially in bowling, and the momentum has carried us since. We strive to make our fans proud and elevate our game. Although we’re on a roll, we still depend on other outcomes, which is disappointing. We’d rather not rely on other results, but that’s the current situation. Thank you.”
RCB’s comprehensive win over PBKS was a testament to their balanced team performance and strategic execution.
Kohli’s brilliance with the bat and the effective bowling attack were the key factors in their 60-run triumph, keeping their playoff hopes alive and ending PBKS’s contention in the tournament.