PBKS v RCB: Top 5 Performers of the Match!

Punjab Kings beat RCB by 34 runs at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium. Captain KL Rahul top scored for his team and helped his team to 179-5 in 20 overs. RCB got bogged down by yet another left arm spinner in Harpreet Brar who caused damage with both bat and ball.

Here are our Top 5 performers of the PBKS v RCB fixture (IPL 2021):

Chris Gayle

Despite the absence of Mayank Agarwal, Punjab Kings decided to open with KL Rahul and Prabhsimran Singh instead of Chris Gayle. Gayle walked in to bat one down when the team were 19/1 in 3.3. overs.

He announced himself on to the scene spanking 5 fours off Kyle Jamieson over. Gayle scored 46 runs in 24 balls with the help of 6 fours and 2 sixes. The score was 99-2 in 10.4 overs at his exit. He put on a partnership of 80 runs in 7.1 overs with KL Rahul

KL Rahul

Captain KL Rahul top scored for Punjab Kings with an unbeaten 91 in 57 balls. He guided his team to a total of 179-5 despite a middle over collapse.

Rahul brought up his half century in 35 balls and since hit 41 runs in 22 balls. His innings had 7 fours and 5 sixes in it.

This was Rahul’s third consecutive 50+ knock against RCB – 132*, 61* and 91* (today) – remained not out in all 3 innings.

Harpreet Brar

Harpreet Brar got in to the team in the place of pacer Arshdeep Singh. He walked in to bat when his team was in trouble at 118/5 in 14.4 overs. He put on a very important partnership of 61 runs in 32 balls with captain KL Rahul. Harpreet scored 25 not out in 17 balls with the help of 1 four and 2 sixes.

He finished the Punjab Kings innings with a last ball six off Harshal Patel (4-0-53-0)

The left arm spinner derailed RCB with the ball as well. He picked the wickets of Virat Kohli (35), Glenn Maxwell (0) and AB de Villiers (3). He bowled a maiden and picked the wickets of Kohli and Maxwell in back to ball deliveries.

He ended with match figures of 4-1-19-3 including 15 dot balls. This all-round performance earned him the Player of the Match award.

Ravi Bishnoi

The leg spinner was impressive with ball and on field once again. He along with Harpreet Brar choked RCB in the chase in the crucial middle overs.

Bishnoi got the wickets of Shahbaz Ahmed (8) and Daniel Sams (3). He also took a to catch at long off to end a smashing innings by Harshal Patel (31).

Ravi Bishnoi finished with match figures of 4-0-17-2 with 10 dot balls in it.

Harshal Patel

Harshal Patel had another bad outing as yet another left-handed batsman took on him. He finished with match figures of 4-0-53-0. He turned the tide with the bat though.

Harshal Patel walked in to bat with RCB at 96/7 in 15.5 overs with the game almost over for his team. Patel smacked 31 runs in 13 balls with the help of 3 fours and 2 sixes as he put on a 48 run stand with Kyle Jamieson (16*) in 23 balls to take his team to some respectability.

PBKS v RCB – Match Summary

Punjab Kings 179-5 in 20 overs

KL Rahul 91*(57)

Chris Gayle 46 (24)

Harpreet Brar 25*(17)

Kyle Jamieson 3-0-32-2

Royal Challengers Bangalore 145-8 in 20 overs

Virat Kohli 35 (34)

Rajat Patidar 31 (30)

Harshal Patel 31 (13)

Harpreet Brar 4-1-19-3

Ravi Bishnoi 4-0-17-2

PUNJAB KINGS WON BY 34 RUNS

Player of the Match: Harpreet Brar