IPL 2021: Match 26 – PBKS vs RCB: Stats Review – KL Rahul's impeccable record, Nicholas Pooran's lean patch and more stats

KL Rahul did what he does best – a calm and composed long innings to bat whole twenty overs to take the team to a total of 179. After Prabhsimran Singh was recalled to the team, he was also promoted to open the batting, but he couldn’t make the best of an opportunity as he was out at just a run-a-ball 7. After his dismissal, Chris Gayle made the innings more energetic with a 24 ball 46.

Though he didn’t last long, his innings were crucial in taking Punjab to a respectable total against a batting heavy RCB. He had the highest strike rate of the innings. Following Gayle’s wicket, the wickets kept on tumbling at the other end but KL Rahul remained intact. Finally, Rahul found a partner who was also recalled into the Punjab team after a long time, in Harpreet Brar. Harpreet supported Rahul at one end, as KL finished with a score of 91 not-out.

In the chase of 180, though Devdutt Padikkal fell early, Virat Kohli and Rajat Patidar could at least steady the ship. As the required rate kept increasing, Virat Kohli was out followed by a flurry of wickets. Harpreet Brar had a dream spell as he dismissed all the three big batting names of RCB within 7 balls – taking the wickets of Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, and Glenn Maxwell. From there the match was a mere formality as Punjab Kings went on to win by 34 runs.

Let’s have a look at the stats produced in PBKS vs RCB IPL clash

284 – KL Rahul has now scored 284 runs against Royal Challengers Bangalore after the last time he was dismissed against them. He now has three consecutive unbeaten innings with giant scores of 132*, 61*, and 91*.

331 – With these huge innings, KL Rahul has also reclaimed the Orange Cap, with 331 runs in the tournament. He overtook Shikhar Dhawan, who currently has 311 runs.

48 – Partnership between Kyle Jamieson and Harshal Patel in the second innings, which is the second-highest for the eighth wicket for Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL. The highest is 51* between Ravi Rampaul and Vinay Kumar against MI in 2013.

15 – This is the 15^th time when Punjab Kings defeated Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL, which is the joint highest by PBKS in IPL. Punjab Kings have also defeated Delhi Capitals 15 times in the IPL.

3 – Now Punjab Kings have defeated Royal Challengers Bangalore in three consecutive IPL matches since the 2020 start. Before this streak, Punjab Kings lost all their last four matches against RCB.

133.50 – KL Rahul’s IPL average against Royal Challengers Bangalore, which is the second-highest of a player against a team. The highest is MS Dhoni’s 216 average against the same team RCB.

410 – KL Rahul has scored 410 runs against RCB in IPL after he left the team after the 2017 season. Since then, he comfortably has the most runs by a player against RCB. Next highest is Rishabh Pant, at just 274 runs.

4 – This is the fourth duck for Nicholas Pooran in IPL season, which is now the most of any player in a season. Herschelle Gibbs in 2009, Mithun Manhas in 2011, Manish Pandey in 2012, and Shikhar Dhawan in 2012 also recorded four ducks in a season.

51 – Runs conceded by Harshal Patel earlier, which is the most he conceded without picking a wicket in an IPL inning. His previous worst figures are 0/43 in the 2020 season, which was during the last time against RCB.