IPL 2024, RCB vs PBKS: Faf's smart bowling changes & Virat, DK crucial knocks headline RCB win

IPL 2024, RCB vs PBKS: Smart bowling changes & Virat Kohli, Dinesh Karthik's crucial knocks headline RCB win. Top takeaways from RCB vs PBKS, Bangalore game.

IPL 2024: Virat Kohli scored 77 off 49 against Punjab (Images: ©IPL/X)

After losing their first match against defending champions CSK, the RCB made a great comeback in their home ground. They beat the Punjab Kings by 4 wickets. RCB displayed complete team performance and emerged victorious.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru captain Faf du Plessis won the toss and chose to bowl first. While batting first, the Punjab Kings finished at a decent score of 176/6 after 20 overs, and the RCB bowlers displayed some exceptional death bowling performance. 

RCB started quickly while chasing almost entirely, thanks to Virat Kohli in the powerplay. While Kohli continued to bat aggressively, he hardly received sustained support from the other end as Rabada and Brar did most of the damage for the Kings in the middle overs. However, Dinesh Karthik and Mahipal Lomror's quick touch at the end helped RCB finish on the winning side. 

Brief Scores: PBKS - 176/6 (Shikhar Dhawan 45, Jitesh Sharma 27, Mohammed Siraj 2/26) lost to RCB 178/6 (Virat Kohli 77, Dinesh Karthik 28, Harpreet Brar 2/13) by 4 wickets.

Player of the Match: Virat Kohli (77 off 49)

Here are the key takeaways from RCB vs PBKS match

RCB’s supreme bowling display at their home ground

Royal Challengers Bangaluru have garnered admiration for their exceptional batting prowess in the IPL, but their bowling department often goes unnoticed despite delivering crucial performances. One such performance came today against the Punjab Kings. The RCB bowlers performed remarkably as they restricted the Punjab Kings to 176 at the high-scoring venue. 

Glenn Maxwell and Yash Dayal bowled some good spells to restrict PBKS batters looking in good touch. Dayal took the big wicket of Sam Curran, which put the Punjab Kings under pressure at the death overs. Siraj and Joseph bowled some economical overs at the end and didn’t allow PBKS to thrive on a track that produces 190-200 runs on average. In the last five overs, Punjab could only muster 48 runs, losing 2 wickets. 

Read More: IPL 2024, CSK vs RCB: Pain points that afflicted RCB in opening match

Mohammed Siraj took 2-26 against Punjab (Images: ©IPL/X)

Pacers Mohammed Siraj and Glenn Maxwell grabbed two wickets each for RCB. 

Mohammed Siraj accounted for Jonny Bairstow and Jitesh Sharma, while Maxwell eliminated the dangerous Shikhar Dhawan and Prabhsimran Singh. Skipper Faf du Plessis used his bowling resources in the arsenal up to maximum optimization. 

RCB's bowling strength has evolved significantly over the IPL seasons. In the high-octane world of T20 cricket, standout bowling performances can instantly turn the tide of a match. From experimenting with different combinations to strategic player acquisitions, RCB has left no stone unturned in its quest for the perfect bowling attack. 

Read More: IPL 2024, PBKS vs DC: Delhi's loopholes exposed as Sam Curran carries Punjab home

Kohli and Karthik shine with bat. However, top order is still a concern for RCB

RCB has shown promise with standout performances from Virat Kohli and Dinesh Karthik. Chasing a target of 177 runs, RCB lost its skipper Faf du Plessis and Cameron Green to Kasigo Rabada in the initial overs. But star batter Virat Kohli and Dinesh Karthik led RCB to defeat Punjab Kings. 

Kohli scored 77 runs, and Dinesh Karthik stood till the end and smashed 28 in 10 balls, taking RCB to a win in their first home game. At the same time, Mahipal Lomror scored a crucial 16 in eight balls. Dinesh Karthik received assistance from Lomror in providing the finishing touches, with the former winning it with a boundary in the last over. They built an unbeaten 48-run partnership between them. 

While Kohli's consistent form and lower-order batting have been a pillar of strength for the team, concerns loom over the top-order batting lineup. The top-order collapsed against CSK in the opening game and has struggled today as well. RCB needs more contribution from their top-order batters to continue with the winning momentum. They need to be more consistent in moving further in the tournament. 

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