Royal Challengers Bangalore played five games so far in the competition wherein they won two games and lost the rest of the three games this season. Meanwhile, RCB are locking horns with Punjab Kings in the 27th game of IPL 2023.
The game is currently being held at Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium, Mohali. RCB’s full-time captain Faf du Plessis is not taking the field today owing to a bruised rib. On the other hand, Virat Kohli is leading the team from the front for the first time since IPL 2021 season.
Punjab Kings won the toss and chose to bowl first. However, Faf du Plessis came out to bat as an impact player for Royal Challengers Bangalore. The visitors ended up posting a challenging total of 174/4 in their quota of 20 overs.
Faf du Plessis top-scored with 84 off 56 balls including five fours and five hits over the fence. It was also his 29th fifty in the IPL and the fourth fifty in the ongoing season of the IPL. Virat Kohli chipped in with 59 off 47 balls including five boundaries and a six. It is also his fourth fifty in six innings in IPL 2023.
Mohammed Siraj strikes in the first over, picks up Atharva Taide after captain Virat Kohli’s review
During Punjab Kings’ innings, RCB paceman Mohammed Siraj provided an early breakthrough in the second ball of the first over. He bowled an absolute gem of an inswinger to a left-handed batsman, Atharva Taide.
The batsman failed to connect with the ball and ended up getting hit on the pads. Initially, the umpire was not interested in the appeal but Virat Kohli took the DRS before it was eventually confirmed that the ball was pitching in line, hitting in line and going on to hit the leg stump. Atharva departed for four runs.
In the third ball of the fifth over, Siraj inflicted a direct hit. Siraj crushes the stumps with a straight hit and celebrates with a version of CR7’s Siiuuu. The drive was lofted by Prabhsimran to the right of the mid off region. On his right, he spotted Siraj advancing. Incredibly, the replay makes the throw seem even more perfect. It was an awkward, one-handed pick-up and drop. A strong hurl. Those bowlers really do have a terrific arm. Virat is yelling at the top of his lungs since he appreciated that fielding so much.
Punjab Kings’ playing XI: Atharva Taide, Matthew Short, Harpreet Singh Bhatia, Liam Livingstone, Sam Curran (c), Jitesh Sharma (wk), Shahrukh Khan, Harpreet Brar, Nathan Ellis, Rahul Chahar, Arshdeep Singh
Royal Challengers Bangalore’s playing XI: Virat Kohli (c), Faf du Plessis, Mahipal Lomror, Glenn Maxwell, Shahbaz Ahmed, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Wanindu Hasaranga, Suyash Prabhudessai, Harshal Patel, Wayne Parnell, Mohammed Siraj
