IPL 2024: Punjab Kings vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru, 58th Match - Who Said What?

Following a 60-run defeat at the hands of Royal Challengers Bengaluru at HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala, Punjab Kings are officially out of the playoffs race in IPL 2024. They were poor in crunch situations, which led to another defeat and they need to improve on multiple fronts to get back into winning ways. Bengaluru, on the other hand, were clinical, had the right game plan and executed them well to pick up a comfortable win.

Batting first, Virat Kohli gave a scintillating start to the visitors. However, two quick wickets of Faf du Plessis and Will Jacks shifted the momentum for a time, but as soon as Rajat Patidar came out to bat, things changed rapidly. The 30-year-old smacked 55 runs off 23 runs, which changed the momentum. After he walked back to the pavilion, Kohli took control of the situation and made 92 runs off 47 balls. Towards the fag end, Cameron Green was brilliant, which helped RCB post a massive total of 241 runs.

Also Check: Punjab Kings second innings highlights against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Match 58

When it came to the chase, PBKS lost Prabhsimran Singh early but Jonny Bairstow and Rilee Rossouw looked rock solid. However, Bairstow injured himself in the middle at one point and right after that, he got out for 27 runs off 16 balls. Rossouw managed to keep going and eventually made 61 runs off 27 balls. After he got out, wickets fell like a house of cards as RCB picked up a comfortable win in the end. With the ball, Swapnil Singh and Mohammed Siraj were incredible for RCB.

1. King Kohli reigns supreme

If you can’t stop Virat early, it will be too late in the end. That’s what happened in Dharamshala with the Punjab Kings. Once he got settled, the star India batter reigned supreme and looked flawless. Even though he missed his century but he was selfless in his approach and maintained a good strike rate, something that has made a lot of noise in recent times.

Also Check: IPL 2024 Orange Cap - Most Runs 

2. Bask in Patidar’s glory

During the initial phase of the tournament, when Patidar was struggling massively, a huge number of fans wanted the team management to drop Patidar and play Suyash Prabhudesai in the playing XI. However, the management kept their faith in Patidar, who is delivering time and again now. Against Punjab, it was the 30-year-old who changed the momentum for RCB, which was extremely vital at one stage. Notably, Patidar once again proved that he is the man for RCB in the middle order.

3. Sixth defeat for PBKS at home

To succeed in a competition like IPL, home games are extremely important, especially when one is aware of the conditions. However, PBKS lost six out of their seven home games in IPL 2024. They never looked comfortable in the middle against RCB and can barely take out positives. If everything goes correctly, one can expect another overhaul in PBKS.

Losing skipper Sam Curran said:

A lot of positive signs throughout the season, but not enough to get over the line unfortunately. We knew that we had the best side for the rest of the tournament and feel gutted for the team. Gotta keep our heads up, keep learning and keep becoming better. Really enjoyed leading a great bunch of guys, would have loved a few more wins. We had some highs, and some record run-chases as well,. Lots of disappointment and apologize to the fans, we will keep fighting. The ups and downs have been quite tough, but you gotta keep learning and keep working hard.

Winning skipper Faf du Plessis said:

That was a good game. We have scored 200-plus in the last 5-6 games. We have had good conversations, we were making the same mistakes over and over again. Needed aggression with the bat. We just spoke about taking wickets. We have 6-7 options in the bowling department. You need some form in your side. With a bit of luck is also required. We had a few guys looking for wickets and runs at the start of the tournament. The boys have shown character to turn it around. Everyone has chipped in with runs and the bowlers are taking wickets. For us it's important to focus on ourselves.We want to stick to the style of play that we want to do, if we do that it'll prove we are a really good team.

POTM Virat Kohli said:

For me it's still quality over quantity. For me it works really well. Also the understanding of the game allows you to practice less, just try to replicate that. It's an evolving process. I brought out the slogsweep against the spinners. I didn't practice it, I know I have hit it the past. Always looking to expose that side of the field against spin. It needs a bit of conviction. I have been managing to stay ahead of that thought. I am trying to keep up with the strike rate for me and the team. The only way to go through a tournament is to be honest with ourselves. We had those losses on the trot, we just had a honest conversation. We needed to pull up our socks. That game against KKR went down to the wire. We wanted to play for our self respect. We just can't go out there and play in such a way and disappoint our fans. The confidence is back and we are on a roll. We have to depend of several other factors.