Punjab Kings became the 2nd team officially to be knocked out of the IPL 2024 with a 60-run defeat against Royal Challengers Bengaluru played at HPCA Stadium, Dharmshala on 9th May.
PBKS captain Sam Curran won the toss and decided to field first. It was not an ideal start for the hosts as Ashutosh Sharma dropped a simple chance of getting rid of Virat Kohli. Kaverrappa made his IPL debut for Punjab Kings and did a good job dismissing Faf du Plessis and Will Jacks.
Harshal Patel dropped a sitter to get rid of Rajat Patidar when he was on 0. It was a disappointing bowling performance as Rahul Chahar did not bowl well, going for runs by Kohli and Rajat Patidar. Sam Curran took the important wicket of Patidar ending 76 run partnership for the 3rd wicket.
After a short break due to hail and rain, Punjab Kings bowlers were taken to the cleaners as Kohli looked in sublime form. Harshal Patel put on a good display of bowling picking 3 wickets in the final over dismissing Dinesh Karthik, Lomror, and Cameron Green. Punjab Kings gave away 241 for 7 at the end of 20 overs. Punjab Kings missed the services of Harpreet Brar, and Kagiso Rabada for this important match.
Punjab Kings Batting Crumbled Under Pressure
Chasing down 242 runs to win, it was not an ideal start for PBKS as they lost the wicket of Prabhsimran Singh in the first over itself against Swapnil Singh. Rilee Rossouw and Jonny Bairstow showed intent to put pressure on the RCB bowlers keeping the scoreboard ticking.
Ferguson struck in his first dismissing Jonny Bairstow with a slower delivery caught by du Plessis. Rossouw and Bairstow added 65 runs for the 2nd wicket. Rossouw looked in good touch putting bad deliveries away for boundaries and sixes. Shashank Singh kept the momentum going for PBKS along with Rossouw.
After a short break due to an injury, Rossouw was dismissed on the very next ball caught by Jacks at long-off. Rossouw and Shashank added 36 runs for the 3rd wicket. The Punjab Kings kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Shashank Singh was run out while trying to take a second run.
Punjab Kings were bundled out for 181 in 17 overs resulting in 60 run loss. With this loss, PBKS became the 2nd team to be knocked out of the playoff stage after Mumbai Indians.
PBKS played a total of 12 matches so far with 4 wins and 8 losses. They won against Gujarat Titans, Delhi Capitals, Chennai Super Kings, and Kolkata Knight Riders. Shikhar Dhawan’s absence hurt them a lot as he could not captain due to an injury. Under the captaincy of Sam Curran, PBKS lost quite few close matches that should have been won.
They will play the remaining two matches against Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals.
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