Dream XI IPL 2020 6th Match: Kings XI Pujab Vs Royal Challengers Bangalore Played at Dubai on 24 September 2020
Brief Scorecard: Kings XI Punjab 206/3 in 20 Overs (KL Rahul 132*, MA Agarwal 26, S Dube 2/33) Beat Royal Challengers Bangalore 109 All Out in 17 Overs (Washington Sundar 30, AB de Villiers 28, AJ Flinch 20, M Ashwin 3/21, R Bishnoi 3/32, SS Cottrell 2/17) By 97 Runs Player of the Match: KL Rahul
Vintage aggressive batting exhibition of KL Rahul producing unbeaten plundering 132 in 64 deliveries punctuated with 14 strikes along the carpet and 7 over and across ensured a roller coaster ride for Kings XI in a virtually one sided encounter at DSC last night. Kings scored a very impressive 206/3. They won the match easy by a huge margin of 97 runs as star studded RCB batting stumbled to 109 all out. When a batsman blasts opposition bowling with the ferocity and aggression as Rahul did the opposition lose their nerves and gets rattled in reply. Having the run cushion, the two leg spinners teenager Ravi Bishnoi (3/32) and M Ashwin (3/21) teased and tormented RCB batting might through bundling them all out for paltry 109. Kings recorded the largest win by 97 runs. It was wonderful watching two leg spinners hunting in tandem, a rare sight that perhaps of all persons Shane Warne enjoyed. Unfortunately, the day also saddened cricket admirers across the world as the prolific Australian Batsman Dean Jones expired in UAE.
Kohli won the toss and elected to field in anticipation of dew dropping in the evening. But long before the dew came brilliant Rahul with his explosive batting brought lot of sweat and tears of his own bowlers and fielders. He batted like a true champion striking the spinners and pacers alike all over the park. Agarwal stayed with him till 57 in the first wicket and Puran added 67 in the second wicket. But Rahul alone dominated the show. It was a peerless display of aggressive batting when he hardly played any stroke with anger. Each of the 14 boundaries and 7 over boundaries were treat to watch. Off course RCB fielding was a bit rugged. Dayle Steyn (0/77) and Umesh Yadab (0/35) were main sufferers from his aggression. Only Chahal (1/25) could calm him down a little. His unbeaten 132 had a telling impact on the match.
RCB in response looked absolutely clueless loosing 3 wickets for only 4 runs on board by the third over. Padikkai, Philips and off all persons Virat Kohli were gone. Having the run cushion all the Kings men in the field appeared to find spring in their feet. Special mention must be made of two quality leg spinners Ravi Bishnoi (3/ 32) and M Ashwin (3/21). Who says that Leg spin is a dying art? Bangladeshis must have not forgotten Bishnoi. He almost singlehandedly won the Under 19 world cup final against Bangladesh. Only Washington Sundar (30) and AB de Villiers (28) could resist a bit. For the second match in succession VK did not fire. RCB succumbed to 109 all out loosing by a huge margin of 97 runs. In this single leg tournament such a huge loss may cause RCB to suffer in the race to semifinal unless they pull up their socks soon.
BDST: 1235 HRS, SEP 25, 2020
AP
