Punjab Kings (PBKS) started their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 campaign in style with a high-scoring run chase against Faf du Plessis-led Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). PBKS chased down the 206-run target with seven balls to spare as RCB bowlers once again failed to defend a big total despite a change in the lineup.
Ideal start
The run chase got off to a perfect start with skipper Mayank Agarwal leading from the front. Agarwal contributed with a 24-ball 32 in the 71-run partnership for the first wicket. After Wanindu Hasaranga got the crucial breakthrough, Bhanuka Rajapaksa joined Shikhar Dhawan in the middle. Debutant Rajapaksa impressed everyone with his big-hitting. Batting at no.3, the Sri Lankan wicketkeeper-batter scored 43 runs off just 22 deliveries. Rajapaksa hit two fours and four sixes in his innings. Dhawan missed out on his half-century as well as he got out for 43 off 29 deliveries.
Double blow before death overs
Mohammed Siraj tried to get RCB back in the game with the wicket of Rajapaksa and Under-19 World Cup 2022 hero Raj Bawa in the 14th over. After Bawa bagged a golden duck, Liam Livingstone got out in the next over. However, the Englishman contributed with a 10-ball 19 which included two maximums.
PBKS’ new finishers
Debutant Odean Smith and Shahrukh Khan were given the task to score the last 50 runs off 31 deliveries. While Shahrukh struggled to get the big hits, Smith released the pressure with an impact cameo at no.7. The Caribbean all-rounder hit three sixes and one four in his eight-ball 25. Shahrukh finished the game with a boundary in the penultimate over. PBKS' designated finisher scored 24 runs off 20 deliveries.
Expensive Siraj
For RCB, Siraj picked up two wickets but leaked 59 runs in his quota of four overs which turned out to be the difference between the two teams. He gave away as many as 14 runs via wides (including five wides).
Nervous start
Earlier, RCB did not get off to an ideal start with Du Plessis struggling against new ball bowlers Sandeep Sharma and Arshdeep Singh. He scored just one run off the first 10 deliveries he faced. Opener Anuj Rawat tried to accelerate after a slow start but got bowled by Rahul Chahar off the final delivery of seventh over. Rawat scored 21 runs off 20 deliveries including two fours and one six.
Captain’s knock
The Proteas batter broke free in the 12th over with a six off Liam Livingstone. He followed it up with a big over against Odean Smith with one four and back-to-back sixes. He got to his half-century off 41 deliveries. At one point, Kohli played second fiddle to Du Plessis. He got out in the 18th over and missed out on a century. He scored 88 runs from 57 deliveries studded with three fours and seven sixes.
Karthik special
In the death overs, Dinesh Karthik played a beautiful cameo to get his team’s score past 200. He scored 32 runs off 14 deliveries including three fours and as many sixes. On the other end, Kohli remained unbeaten for 41 off 29 deliveries including one four and two sixes. Smith turned out to be the most expensive bowler as he leaked 52 runs in his four overs.
