Kohli and Patidar make merry as Royal Challengers post 241
The opener slammed a 47-ball 92 while the No. 4 batter smashed a 23-ball 55; Green and Karthik’s cameos keep the Bengaluru side going in a contest interrupted by rain and hail; Kaverappa makes a big impression on his debut
Neither heavy rain nor the pelting hail could stop Virat Kohli (92, 47b, 7x4, 6x6) from bringing up his fth half-century of the season and guide Royal Challengers Bengaluru to 241 for seven against Punjab Kings in a must-win Indian Premier League xture here on Thursday.
Making the most of early reprieves, Kohli forged a 76-run third-wicket stand with Rajat Patidar (55, 23b, 3x4, 6x6), putting the Kings bowlers under pressure with their power-hitting.
Entertaining knock
Though he fell eight short of a century — caught by Rilee Rossouw at deep extracover o Arshdeep Singh — Kohli entertained the fans who chanted his name throughout the innings.
With a tinge of grass on the surface, Kings opted to bowl; however, a sloppy show on the eld let them down.
Even as Kagiso Rabada was left to warm the benches in a bizarre move, youngster Vidwath Kaverappa was handed a debut.
Promising start
R.V. MOORTHY
The Karnataka seamer underlined his potential, claiming the wickets of RCB captain Faf du Plessis and Will Jacks, after he was denied a dream start when Ashutosh Sharma dropped Kohli o the third ball of the match.
Kohli got another life in Kaverappa’s second over as Rossouw dropped a difcult take.
Even before the bowler could come to terms with his misfortune, Harshal Patel put down Patidar (on zero). Those misses went on to hurt Kings.
Stepping up a gear
Once the two batters down, they tore bowlers apart.
Kohli went after the pacers; Patidar, on the other hand, began with three boundaries o Harshal and followed it up with three sixes o leg-spinner Rahul Chahar in the eighth over.
His sparkling fty — his fourth in this edition — set settled the
ROYAL CHALLENGERS
Virat Kohli c Rossouw b Arshdeep 92 (47b, 7x4, 6x6), Faf du Plessis c Shashank b Kaverappa 9 (7b,
Will Jacks c Harshal b Kaverappa 12 (7b, 1x4, 1x6), Rajat Patidar c Bairstow b Curran 55 (23b, 3x4, 6x6), Cameron Green c Curran b Harshal 46 (27b, 5x4,
Dinesh Karthik c Curran b Harshal 18 (7b, 1x4, 2x6), Mahipal Lomror b Harshal 0 (2b), Swapnil Singh (not out) 1 (1b); Extras
(lb-1, nb-1, w-6): 8; Total (for seven wkts. in 20 overs): 241.
FALL OF WICKETS
KINGS BOWLING Kaverappa 4-0-36-2, Arshdeep 3-0-41-1, Curran 3-0-50-1, Harshal 4-0-38-3, Rahul Chahar 3-0-47-0, Livingstone 3-0-28-0.
Toss: PBKS.
Punjab was 146 for five in 13 overs with Shashank (37) and Curran (9) at the crease. Swapnil and Karn took two wickets each. up a run fest as a few Kings bowlers conceded at least 12 an over; Patidar then fell to Sam Curran.
Despite the rain interruption, Kohli remained focused and ensured that Patidar’s dismissal did not aect the momentum.
Bringing up his fty with a four o Liam Livingstone, Kohli struck a urry of boundaries and added 92 for the fourth wicket with Cameron Green.
Dinesh Karthik’s cameo kept RCB going though Harshal claimed three wickets in the nal over.