RCB Beat PBKS by Four Wickets with Kohli’s 77 and Karthik’s 28 not out in IPL 2024
Royal Challengers Bengaluru clinched their first victory of IPL 2024 by defeating Punjab Kings by four wickets, thanks to a spectacular performance by Virat Kohli and Dinesh Karthik. Kohli’s 77-run innings and Karthik’s quickfire 28 not out guided RCB to chase down 177 with four balls to spare.
Kohli’s innings was filled with elegant strokeplay as he scored his runs off 49 deliveries, including two sixes and 11 fours. Dropped early in the innings, he was pivotal for RCB’s chase. When Kohli departed in the 16th over, the team still needed 47 runs off 22 balls, but Karthik stepped up to the plate and played a match-winning knock.
Karthik walked in and smashed an unbeaten 28 off 10 balls, with three fours and two sixes, forming an unbeaten 48-run partnership with Mahipal Lomror to steer RCB to victory. Despite some setbacks during the chase, the duo’s aggressive batting ensured RCB crossed the finish line.
The Punjab Kings set a target of 177, with Shikhar Dhawan top-scoring with 45 runs. Mohammed Siraj and Glenn Maxwell led RCB’s bowling attack, restricting PBKS to 176/6. In reply, RCB got off to a strong start with Kohli setting the tone with his aggressive strokeplay against the PBKS bowlers.
Despite stumbling a bit in the middle overs, Kohli remained composed and took control of the chase, reaching his fifty in 31 balls. Karthik’s late blitz ensured that RCB secured their first win of the season, much to the delight of their fans at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
In conclusion, Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s victory over Punjab Kings was a display of skill and determination as Kohli and Karthik guided their team to a successful chase in IPL 2024. Their partnership proved crucial in securing RCB’s first win of the season and setting the tone for the matches to come.
