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RCB’s Home Woes Deepen as PBKS Seal Rain-Curtailed Thriller in Bengaluru
RCB Struggle Again at M. Chinnaswamy as PBKS Clinch Low-Scoring Contest
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) endured another disappointing outing at home as they slipped to their third consecutive defeat at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. In a rain-shortened 14-over-per-side contest, Punjab Kings (PBKS) chased down the modest target of 96 with five wickets in hand and 11 balls to spare. RCB’s batting failed once again, and despite a spirited bowling effort from Josh Hazlewood, it wasn’t enough to break their winless streak at home.
Sluggish Pitch and Spin Trap RCB
Chahal and Jansen Spin a Web Around RCB
The surface at Chinnaswamy wasn’t its usual run-fest haven. Instead, the two-paced track played into the hands of spinners and seamers who exploited the bounce and grip effectively. Yuzvendra Chahal, familiar with these conditions, was clinical with his 2 for 11 spell, while Marco Jansen chipped in with 2 for 10 to dismantle the RCB middle-order.
On the flip side, RCB’s spin attack lacked penetration. Although Hazlewood claimed three scalps, he found little support from fellow bowlers like Suyash Sharma and Krunal Pandya. PBKS’s better execution in handling spin turned out to be a key differentiator.
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Powerplay Collapse Sets the Tone for RCB
Top-Order Tumble Hurts RCB’s Intent
The early overs saw RCB’s batting falter drastically. Arshdeep Singh and Xavier Bartlett ran riot with the new ball, dismissing key batters including Phil Salt, Virat Kohli, and Liam Livingstone. RCB managed just 26 runs in the powerplay while losing three vital wickets. Despite a couple of boundaries from Rajat Patidar, the loss of momentum proved costly.
Middle Overs Mayhem: Spinners Tighten the Grip
RCB found no reprieve as they stumbled from 33/3 to 54/7, courtesy of tight spells by Chahal and Jansen. Jitesh Sharma and Pandya were dismissed cheaply while Manoj Bhandage, the impact substitute, also failed to make an impact.
Tim David’s Solo Effort Sparks Brief Hope
David’s Blitz in the Death Overs
With wickets tumbling at the other end, Tim David stood tall with a fighting half-century. His unbeaten 50 off just 26 balls gave RCB a total to bowl at. He launched a late assault, smashing three sixes in the final over from Harpreet Brar, helping RCB reach 95/9. His fifty turned out to be his maiden IPL half-century.
Punjab Kings Make Steady Progress Despite Hazlewood’s Strikes
Early Setbacks, Then Calm Recovery
PBKS’s chase started cautiously but saw early hiccups with Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya falling in the powerplay. Hazlewood’s sharp bowling earned him two early wickets. However, the middle order soaked up the pressure efficiently.
Nehal Wadhera Anchors the Chase
Nehal Wadhera played a mature knock, scoring an unbeaten 33 off 19 deliveries. His calculated aggression saw him reverse sweep, loft over covers, and even muscle a six straight down the ground. With the required rate never escalating beyond control, he ensured PBKS crossed the finish line comfortably. Marcus Stoinis sealed the win with a six in the 13th over.
What’s Next for RCB and PBKS?
With a tight schedule, both teams will regroup quickly as they travel to Mullanpur for the reverse fixture on April 20 in a day encounter. RCB will be desperate to break their home jinx, while PBKS will aim to carry forward the momentum.
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