Thanks to an all-around effort, Punjab Kings defeated Royal Challengers Bangalore easily to gain 2 important points in the 26^th match of IPL 2021 played at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on Friday.

RCB captain Virat Kohli won the toss and decided to field first. It was a sedate start by Punjab Kings openers as Prabhsimran Singh opened the innings along with KL Rahul. Kyle Jamieson provided the breakthrough for RCB getting rid of Singh with a good delivery that bounced giving an easy catch to Kohli at extra-cover. It was slow going for Punjab Kings before Chris Gayle smacked 5 boundaries off Kyle Jamieson in the last over before the power play. At the end of the six overs, Punjab Kings made 49 for 1.

Yuzvendra Chahal was bought into the attack but Gayle put him under immense pressure with 2 sixes keeping the momentum going for Punjab Kings. At the end of the first timeout, Punjab Kings made 64 for 1. After the timeout, Gayle and KL Rahul continued to put enough pressure on RCB bowlers keeping the scoreboard ticking. Daniel Sams surprised Gayle with a sharp bouncer providing an easy catch to AB de Villiers. Rahul and Gayle added 80 runs for the 2^nd wicket. Nicolas Pooran disastrous form continued as he was dismissed by Jamieson with a superb bouncer providing an easy catch to Shahbaz Ahmed.

On the other hand, KL Rahul looked composed and reached his fifty off 35 balls. Shahbaz Ahmed struck to get rid of Deepak Hooda who could not control the shot giving an easy catch. After being smashed for runs in his first three overs, Chahal got Sharukh Khan with a peach to leave Punjab Kings in trouble at 119 for 5. Patidar missed a direct hit to get rid of KL Rahul but could not do it. Harshal Patel was taken to the cleaners by Rahul and Brar in the 18^th over. Siraj bowled a superb 19^th over giving away just 7 runs. KL Rahul and Brar took 22 runs off the final over with 2 sixes and 2 fours. Brar ended the innings with a six to help the Punjab Kings post 179 for 5. Rahul and Brar added unbeaten 61 runs for the 6^th wicket.

Chasing 180 runs to win, Kohli began off well with some lovely shots. Riley Meredith bowled with pace and troubled RCB openers. Paddikal stumps was castled as Meredith produced a superb delivery. Rajat Patidar struggled to time the ball as Punjab Kings bowlers did not allow RCB batsmen to score runs easily. At the end of the first six overs, RCB scored 36 for 1.

After the field restrictions, Kohli tried to make a move with attacking strokes but Patidar struggled to hit big strokes. At the end of the first timeout, RCB made 59 for 1.

Harpreet Brar produced a magical over getting wickets of Virat Kohli and Maxwell off successive deliveries. Kohli and Patidar added 43 runs for the 2^nd wicket. Soon after, Brar got the big wicket of AB de Villiers to put RCB under immense pressure. Rajat Patidar's struggling innings came to an end as provided an easy catch to Pooran. Ravi Bishnoi took the wicket of Shahbaz Ahmed leaving RCB in massive trouble at 96 for 6. Soon after the timeout, Bishnoi grabbed the wicket of Daniel Sams with a peach.

Harshal Patel and Kyle Jamieson enjoyed themselves with some lusty blows hitting sixes. Riley Meredith was hurt in the final over but Shami bowled the last four deliveries. A superb catch by Ravi Bishnoi at long-off ended innings for Patel. Patel and Jamieson added 48 runs for the 8^th wicket. Royal Challengers Bangalore finished with 145 for 8 in 20 overs.