On Friday, RCB’s dependable batsmen AB de Villiers hand-holding the team to safety with a brilliant knock of 57 runs against the King XI Punjab. Earlier, it was Umesh Yadav's fiery three-wicket spell in the KXIP innings that placed the hosts perfectly for their maiden victory in the contest. The Vidarbha pacer rattled the opposition with serious pace and knocked down three Punjab wickets in the fourth over to power RCB wrest control of the proceedings. Umesh first got Mayank Agarwal caught behind, then trapped Aaron Finch the next ball. Two balls later, he splattered Yuvraj's timber as the Punjab southpaw failed to come forward and was exposed. A ball earlier, he had pulled Yadav for a four and was expecting the same from him the next ball.
While, Chasing the host required last 69 runs in remaining 51 balls with De Villiers and Mandeep together. The duo negated the spin well and waited for the pacers to come into the attack. They made sure they ran well to remain in the chase. In the 17th over, as RCB needed 41 runs off the last four overs, Ashwin deemed it right to use teenager spinner Mujeeb. But the young spinner caved in under pressure and bowled flat to aid De Villiers' charge. He got hit for two sixes and a four in that over.
Brief Scores: Kings XI Punjab 155 all out (KL Rahul 47, R Ashwin 33; Umesh Yadav 3-23) lost to Royal Challengers Bangalore 159/6 in 19.3 overs (AB de Villiers 57, Quinton de Kock 45; R Ashwin 2-30) by four wickets.
Over by Over
Kings XI Punjab 155 all out (KL Rahul 47, R Ashwin 33; Umesh Yadav 3-23)
Royal Challengers Bangalore 159/6 in 19.3 overs (AB de Villiers 57, Quinton de Kock 45; R Ashwin 2-30) by four wickets.
KXIP (Wagon Wheel)
RCB (Wagon Wheel)
AB De Villiers: Batting placement
Partnerships:
KXIP: 155
RCB: 159/6