It was the near-perfect match for Royal Challengers Bangalore. The top order fired, Mohammed Siraj was brilliant with the ball and the fielding was sensational. With three wins out of six, the campaign is very much back on track. Here are our takeaways from their 24-run win against Punjab Kings.
Virat and Faf doing it again
It is now routine. Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis have been brilliant right through the IPL, and today was no different. While Kohli was fast off the blocks, du Plessis waited a while before he exploded. And when he did, there was no stopping him. The hundred was there for the taking for Faf, and he would be disappointed at not reaching three figures. The way du Plessis is batting, he is the leading contender for the Orange cap.
The brief Punjab comeback, which raises questions about the Bangalore middle order
This is an issue. Right through the tournament, it has been the same. Great starts have been frittered away. And it happened again, with the middle order failing to build on the platform provided by Kohli and du Plessis. While Punjab weren’t able to build on the comeback, other teams won’t allow RCB this cushion. A score in the region of 200, which had seemed likely when they were 91-0 at halfway, became 174, a total that was within reach for the chasing team.
Siraj, you beauty
A good start could have set things up for Punjab. With Liam Livingstone back in the line-up, all they needed was a good powerplay and a platform. And that’s where Siraj stepped up. He has done right through the competition for RCB. The way he runs in, the energy he brings to his bowling and the way he fielded, it was just the perfect performance from him. Be it in the powerplay or at the death, he stepped up each time RCB needed him. In fact, just when Jitesh Sharma and Harpreet Brar were creating a few problems, Siraj came back to clean Brar up in his final over and seal the game.
Mohammed Siraj and the idea of a secular India
Siraj, may we say, is good for the sport. A real breath of positivity and good energy. His form will augur well for India in the World Test Championship final, and also in the 50-over World Cup on home soil in October-November.
Run-outs, lights out for Punjab
Brilliant. That’s how you would describe the RCB effort on the field. Time and again, they hit the stumps and it made all the difference. Sam Curran, stand-in captain and the go-to man for Punjab in the middle order, fell to a brilliant throw from Wanindu Hasaranga while Siraj did the job from mid-off against Harpreet Bhatia. In a close encounter, these direct hits made a huge difference, and dented the Punjab chase.
Livingstone’s return a massive boost for Punjab Kings’ playoff hopes