PBKS vs RCB: Siraj's exceptional bowling sealed the 24 runs victory for Royal Challengers Bangalore

Royal Challengers Bangalore defeated Punjab Kings by 24 runs in Match 27 of IPL 2023, at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium in Mohali. Chasing a target of 175 runs, PBKS were bowled out for 150 runs in 18.2 overs. Prabhsimran Singh registered 46 runs off 30 balls for PBKS while Mohammed Siraj scalped four wickets for RCB. Wanindu Hasaranga bagged two dismissals. Earlier, RCB reached 174/4 in 20 overs, with Virat Kohli smacking 59 runs off 47 balls as well as Faf du Plessis' blistering 84 off 56 balls. Read the match report of the PBKS vs RCB clash and share your thoughts in the comments

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PBKS vs RCB: IPL 2023 Match Report

RCB got off to a brilliant start

Punjab Kings won the toss & decided to bowl first. Virat Kohli captained the side after 556 days. Orange Cap holder Faf Du Plessis opened the proceedings for RCB alongside Virat Kohli. One thing that has been exceptional this season for RCB is that they are scoring runs on a regular basis. The openers have been brilliant so far this season as Virat & Faf has already scored 3 half-centuries in five matches. They showed the right intent from the very start. Virat started slowly as he got dismissed against Chennai in hurry. Faf on the other side showed his true trajectory to boost the inning, to add the spark.

The 100-run stand between Faf & Virat set the stage for a huge score but the middle order collapsed once again and they only managed to put up a decent total

The pair summed up a 50 runs-stand in the first 5 overs. Rahul Chahar seemed economical but he didn't try to break the partnership. Du Plessis completed his half-century off 31 deliveries. On the other side, Virat Kohli reached his 50-run mark with a slow-paced inning but that meant RCB put up a 100-run opening stand. Kohli tried to boost his inning after completing his half-century but failed to change the gear at the right time. Although he did his job with another half-century of the IPL 2023 and got dismissed by Harpreet Brar for 59 runs in 47 deliveries. The Faf-Virat partnership broke after putting up 137 runs on the board.

Glenn Maxwell tried to go for a big shot in the very first delivery but mistimed it completely. Harpreet Brar got two in two as he dismissed Virat Kohli & Maxwell. Faf du Plessis batted with a strike rate of 150 and smashed 84 runs in 56 deliveries with 5 sixes & 5 fours. Nathan Ellis dismissed him at the right time and RCB lost their third wicket. The middle order collapsed once again for Royal Challengers Bangalore and they failed to put up a huge total. The score should have been 190+ plus but RCB only managed to score 174 runs after the end of 20 overs.

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PBKS vs RCB: IPL 2023 Match Report

Siraj & Hasaranga helped RCB to get a brilliant start with the bowl

Young batter Atharva Taide started the chase with a boundary in the very first delivery of Siraj but he came back and dismissed Taide by lbw in the second delivery. Hasaranga sent Matt Short home for only 8 runs in the third over. Siraj picked up his second wicket by dismissing the huge wicket of Liam Livingstone for only 2 runs. Prabhsimran Singh started really well with a positive mindset but he couldn't get the help he needed. Punjab Kings lost 4 wickets in the powerplay. Harpreet Singh tried to smash big hits right from the start but after facing nine deliveries, he had to get back to the dugout by getting run out.

Skipper Sam Curran had a poor campaign so far and it also seemed the same today. Curran (10) failed to contribute some important runs during the chase. Prabhsimran Singh played a blistering inning of 46 runs in only 30 deliveries with 3 fours & 4 sixes but to chase 175 runs, it's not one batter's cup of tea. Jitesh Sharma fought alone in the middle overs with 41 runs inning in just 27 deliveries with 2 fours & 3 sixes. He kept the hopes alive for Punjab Kings to chase the score but just like Prabhsimran, Jitesh also got no support from the other end. Harshal Patel dismissed him at the crucial moment and secure RCB's victory. Siraj was the best bowler for Bangalore as he picked up 4 wickets in his 4-overs spell and only gave 21 runs. Royal Challengers Bangalore beat Punjab Kings by 24 runs and climbed up to the 5th on the table with 6 points.