Jonny Bairstow and Liam Livingstone scored sizzling half centuries as the Punjab Kings defeated the Royal Challengers Bangalore by 54 runs at Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai on Friday.
After being sent into bat by RCB skipper, openers Bairstow and Shikhar Dhawan got Punjab Kings off to a quickfire start. The duo put on 60 runs for the opening stand before the latter perished, while attempting a slog sweep off Glenn Maxwell for 21.
Bhanuka Rajapaksa fell cheaply to Wanindu Hasaranga, caught at backward point by Harshal Patel while attempting an inside-out drive.
Shahbaz Ahmed then dismissed the dangerous Bairstow, edging a catch to Mohammed Siraj at backward point for a 29 ball-66. His knock comprised off 4 fours and 7 sixes.
Liam Livingstone along with Mayank Agarwal featured in a 51 run stand for the fourth wicket before the latter guided a slower ball from Harshal Patel to Hasaranga at point.
Jitesh Sharma and Harpreet Brar fell cheaply for 9 & 7 respectively.
However Livingstone provided a late flourish by smashing a quickfire 42 ball-70 to power Punjab Kings to a mammoth score of 209/9 in their allotted 20 overs.
Harshal Patel was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 4/34.
Chasing 210, RCB opening pair of Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis got their side off to a solid start. The pair added 33 runs for the opening stand before the former gloved a back-of-length delivery from Kagiso Rabada to Rahul Chahar at short fine leg.
Rishi Dhawan pegged RCB back with wickets of Du Plessis and Mahipal Lomror to reduce them to 40/3.
Rajat Patidar and Glenn Maxwell brought the innings back on track with a valuable 64 run stand for the fourth wicket before the former (26) holed out to long-on while attempting a big hit against Rahul Chahar.
In the next over, Harpreet Brar dismissed Maxwell (35), caught at long off by Arshdeep Singh.
With 92 required from 36 balls, left arm pacer Arshdeep dented Bangalore’s hopes by dismissing Dinesh Karthik (11), caught at short third man by Rajapaksa.
Shahbaz Ahmed departed for 9, chipping a slower ball from Kagiso Rabada to Rajapaksa at backward point.
In the end,The Royal Challengers ended up with 155/9, losing the contest by 54 runs.
Punjab Kings 209 for 9 (Livingstone 70, Bairstow 66, Harshal 4-34) beat Royal Challengers Bangalore 155 for 9 (Maxwell 35, Patidar 26, Rabada 3-21) by 54 runs