Kolkata: Despite a phenomenal performance by AB de Villiers, that of 89 not out off 46 deliveries, the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) failed to defend their humble total against a much stronger and well composed Kings XI Punjab at Indore on Monday. Despite winning the toss, the RCB players collapsed in front of Punjab’s bowling attack.
For Punjab, it was Varun Aaron who grabbed two wickets while Axar Patel and Sandeep Sharma both got 1 wicket each. The chase was a cakewalk as Hashim Amla scored a brilliant 58 not out off 38 deliveries. Skipper Glenn Maxwell joined the party and did what he does quite effortlessly, hit hard and finish the opposition off. He scored a magnificent 43 not out off 22 deliveries.
The RCB heavily missed their match winner and big hitter Chris Gayle yesterday. The Jamaican’s absence gave a huge advantage to the opposition bowlers psychologically. There has been some good news though for the RCB fans that South African veteran and star batsman AB de Villiers has been declared fit to play the cash rich tournament. After this game, Punjab overtake Kolkata Knight Riders to take the second position while the RCB are way behind in the sixth position.
Brief Scores: Kings XI Punjab 150/2 (Hashim Amla 58*, Glenn Maxwell 43*; Tymal Mills 1/22) beat Royal Challengers Bangalore 148/4 (AB de Villiers 89*, Mandeep Singh 28; Varun Aaron 2/21) by 8 wickets.