RCB, led by Dinesh Karthik’s innings, secured an undefeated 28 off 10 balls in their second IPL 2024 match against the Punjab Kings, despite Kohli’s half-century-scoring performance.
IPL 2024, RCB vs. PBKS Match Highlights
Virat Kohli was the only player in the top order as RCB’s IPL innings got off to a stuttering start. With 11 fours and two sixes in his 77 off 49 balls, Kohli came close to reaching a century, but he was dismissed by Harshal Patel in the last delivery of the 16th over. Rajat Patidar and Glenn Maxwell struggled to get anything away, while Dinesh Karthik came in to help the team.
Rabada got among the wickets first, accounting for Faf du Plessis for the third time in three IPL innings. However, RCB needed 10 runs in the final over, and Shikhar Dhawan decided to go with Arshdeep. In his opening delivery, the skilled PBKS pacer sent a length delivery that Karthik skilfully scooped over short fine for a six. On seeing Karthik smack it for a six, his RCB teammates, including Kohli, were on their feet in celebration.
In summary, RCB faced a challenging match with Virat Kohli and Dinesh Karthik, who struggled to maintain control and maintain their lead.
VK 🤝 DK
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) March 25, 2024
The dynamic duo behind RCB's remarkable chase tonight 😎#TATAIPL | #RCBvPBKS | @imVkohli | @DineshKarthik pic.twitter.com/eI3TyvAyO2
A Kohli special for the Chinnaswamy to remember
With the loud cheers of the crowd behind him, Kohli walked out to bat and set in. From his first ball, Sam Curran managed to get the ball to tail away. It moved from a thick edge to a short third. Curran moved in closer and signals a drive at the next ball. Taking the bait, Kohli got a thick edge, but Bairstow was unable to hold up with the ball’s rapid movement, which caused it to pop through his hands at the first slip. Just the right amount of luck for Kohli. The next ball he drove Curran through the covers, then clipped him past short fine-leg, and to make it 16 runs off the first over, he dominated a half-volley through the covers.
As soon as Rabada entered the game, Kohli showed no regard for him at all, driving down the track and slamming him over cover. After that, Kohli faced Arshdeep Singh and hammered him for three fours in an over that took him to 33 off 15 balls, the highest run total in a T20 innings for the first 15 balls ever. In his first 15 balls, he hit eight fours. Virat Kohli responds with a brilliant knock after being dropped on zero. Both RCB and Kohli were away.
On the other hand, in T20 cricket, Kohli achieved his 100th fifty-plus score.
RCB vs. PBKS IPL 2024, Punjab loses control
Punjab’s strong bowling lineup put RCB under pressure and delayed them from settling. The best bowling effort came from left-arm spinner Harpreet Brar, who bowled a tight 2-13 (50 percent dots and no boundaries conceded) spell that looked like it would blow the match away from the hosts.
But when Punjab had the entire momentum working in their favor, the pressure of finishing the match overtook them. Arshdeep, Harshal Patel, and Curran all failed to bowl to their field, missed their lines and lengths, and gave up free runs as extras. While Mahipal Lomror and Dinesh Karthik deserve all the praise, it would be incorrect to give this outcome to their clever planning and skill rather than Punjab’s poor death bowling.
Curran got 30 runs during his three-over over. Arshdeep got 24 runs in his final 8 balls. With 4 deliveries remaining, Harshal went for 24 from his final two overs as the RCB won.
RCB vs. PBKS IPL 2024, Dinesh Karthik’s spectacular finish in the final over
The 38-year-old finisher Dinesh Karthik made an impact on RCB’s loss to CSK. Karthik smashed an undefeated 28 off 10 balls, including three fours and two sixes, with the RCB needing 47 off 22. Though not quite in control, he was making progress. It was Karthik who had to wait to play the scoop after receiving a knock from Lomror. Mahipal’s composed manner was praised by Karthik, who also advised Lomror to maintain his composure in the face of Anuj’s pressure.