Match 58 of the IPL 2024 edition saw the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) pull off an impressive 60-run win over Punjab Kings (PBKS) on Thursday (May 9). With this result, RCB continue to stay alive in the playoffs race, with 10 points from 12 games, whereas Punjab are now officially eliminated from the tournament. During the high-scorer in Dharamsala, Virat Kohli made maximum noise with a brilliant 47-ball 92 and also inflicted a run-out with a brilliant direct hit.

During the PBKS run-chase, they started off well and were 114-3 at the halfway mark. Nonetheless, they were soon reduced to 132-5 in 12 overs with in-form batter Shashank Singh being joined by stand-in captain Sam Curran. With not much batting left, the duo had a herculean task to keep their side in the hunt and tried to push the game till the last over. A partnership started brewing between Shashank-Curran before Kohli’s fielding, courtesy of his immaculate fitness standards, inflicted a run-out to send Shashank back into the pavilion.

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It all happened on the fourth ball of the 13th over, by Lockie Ferguson, when Sam Curran played a short-pitched delivery with soft hands and called for two. Kohli, at the deep, covered a lot of distance and threw the ball at the non-striker’s end as a direct hit resulted in Shashank falling short of his crease. 

Following Shashank’s dismissal, who fell for a 19-ball 37, Punjab’s chase fell apart completely as they got dismissed for 181 in 17 overs to lose by a whopping margin. Rilee Rossouw top-scored for them with a 27-ball 61 but there was not much resistance from the other batters. 

Kohli, for his batting and fielding show, returned with the Player of the Match award. Talking about his knock, the right-hander started off positively and didn’t slow down as the innings progressed — despite a rain break in between — to end with a 47-ball 92 (laced with 7 fours and 6 sixes at a strike rate of 195.74).

At the post-match presentation, Kohli said, “For me it’s still quality over quantity. For me it works really well. Also, the understanding of the game allows you to practice less, just try to replicate what I have done in the past. Still aiming to improve aspects of the game that you want to get batter at. It’s an evolving process. I brought out the slogsweep against the spinners. I didn’t practice it, I know I have hit it the past. Always looking to expose that side of the field against spin. I know I need to take risks, it needs a bit of conviction. I have been managing to stay ahead of that thought. I am trying to keep up with the strike rate for me and the team.”

RCB, with four wins on the trot, are in the seventh spot. The Faf du Plessis-led side continues to remain in the playoff race with two more games to go.

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