Twitter Reactions: RCB storm into playoffs after Punjab Kings do a Punjab Kings

For the umpteenth time, Punjab Kings failed to close a game they had in the grips for the larger part. The six-run loss means their playoff qualification hopes hang by a thread, while RCB are through for the second consecutive season after they kept their cool in a tense defense in Sharjah.

Fielding an unchanged XI, Royal Challengers Bangalore posted 164/7, the highest score at Sharjah this season, on the back of Glenn Maxwell’s 57 off 33, his third consecutive half-century. RCB were taken off to a flyer once again, with both Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal scoring runs comfortably.

Lucky RCB

RCB flew off the blocks, with Padikkal taking the attack to the spinners: he welcomed Arshdeep Singh with a six down the ground and a four past point, before hitting a couple of fours to Ravi Bishnoi right after KL Rahul failed to hold onto his catch behind.

On the other end, Kohli did not look at his fluent best initially, but like Padikkal, he too enjoyed some luck as KL Rahul missed a stumping off Bishnoi, before he got another reprieve when Sarfaraz Khan dropped a difficult chance at midwicket.

Punjab first came close to breaking the partnership in the 8th over, only to be denied by a third umpire faux pas. Padikkal, at 35, attempted a reserve sweep off Bishnoi but gloved it to Rahul behind, who challenged the on-field not-out decision for the UltraEdge to reveal a clear spike as the ball went past the glove. However, much to his dismay, the third umpire thought otherwise, inexplicably adjudging Padikkal not out.

Maxwell mania after Moises magic 

RCB’s free flow was hindered by Moises Henriques, who finished with exceptional figures of 3/12. He struck on consecutive deliveries to send back Kohli and Dan Christian, who was promoted to No. 3. Kohli attempted to swat the ball on the leg-side, only for it to stay low and crash into his stumps, while Christian went for a golden duck, depositing one straight to Sarfaraz at point.

Henriques returned in the next over to get Padikkal caught behind for 40 to dent RCB even more after they had managed only 18 runs in a boundary-less six-over period from 7-13. However, a sensational Glenn Maxwell and AB de Villiers assault who added 73 in just 39 bailed them out. Maxwell had shown his intentions early on when he belted Harpreet Brar for two sixes before giving the same treatment to Bishnoi only a couple of overs later.

De Villiers was slow to start with, but opened his arms against Mohammed Shami, smacking a six and four to get into his groove. He was dismissed courtesy of a rocket throw from Sarfaraz in the 18th, scoring 23 off 18, while Shami redeemed himself in the final with three wickets – Maxwell was caught at point, while both Shahbaz Ahmed and Geroge Garton were cleaned up off successive deliveries.

Solid start before Chahal inflicts collapse

Both KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal started cautiously before the former made a move on against Mohammed Siraj in the 12-run third over. Agarwal was not late in drawing inspiration as he pulled Geroge Garton for a massive six as Punjab trickled down 49 runs by the end of the powerplay.

The 91-run opening stand continued to flourish until the 11th over, which was when Rahul edged Ahmed to Harshal Patel stationed at third man to walk back for 39 off 35. Doing what they are known to do the best, the Kings suddenly found themselves 127/5, with Yuzvendra Chahal doing the most damage. Nicholas Pooran holed out to deep square off Chahal in the 13th before a couple of quiet overs upped the required rate for Punjab.

Agarwal attacked Siraj to break the monotony but perished to Chahal for 57 as he miscued a sweep to short third. Three balls later, Chahal cleaned up Sarfaraz for a duck. He could have had another had he managed to cling onto a reverse catch of Shahrukh Khan on the following delivery but spilled it.

Markram, who struck two fours and a six in his 14-ball 20, miscued a Geroge Garton delivery straight to long-on. Giving only 8 in the penultimate over, Siraj left 18 for Harshal Patel to defend in the final over, which he did to ensure a qualification berth for RCB.