KXIP vs RCB: KL Rahul’s leads the way in Punjab's one sided victory over Banglore

In what was an absolutely one-sided contest, Kings XI Punjab defeated Royal Challengers Bangalore by 97 runs.

In response to KXIP’s 206, RCB were never in the chase as they could not even manage to come close to KL Rahul’s individual score of 132.  They were bundled for a mere 109 runs in 17 overs.

Washington Sundar (30 of 27) and AB de Villiers (28 of 18) top scored in a dismal batting performance by Virat Kohli’s side.

Spinners Murugan Ashwin and Ravi Bishnoi got three wickets each while Sheldon Cottrell sent two RCB batsmen back to the pavilion. Both Mohammad Shami and Glen Maxell got a wicket each, with the former also getting his hands on the Purple Cap.

Batting first, KL Rahul played a dream innings for KXIP as he amassed 132* of just 69 delivers. On his way to the highest score ever by an IPL captain, KL Rahul hit 14 boundaries and as many as seven sixes.

Virat Kohli, who is otherwise brilliant on the field, dropped two start-forward catches of the centurion.

Yuzvendra Chahal (1 for 25) and Washington Sundar (none for 13) were the only economical bowlers for RCB, the latter of whom bowled just two overs. Dale Steyn proved to be costliest as he was taken for 57 runs in his four.

Some familiar ghosts haunted the RCB bowling as they performed poorly at both ends of the innings. While they gave away 50 runs during the powerplay, the last 5 overs cost them as many as 80 runs. RCB went wicket-less in both these phases.

Virat Kohli’ gamble to promote Josh Phillipe to number 3, his own favoured position, cost them dearly as Phillipe could not even open his account. Virat Kohli, now coming out at number 4, was also dismissed after scoring a solitary run.

RCB would want to not read too much into the match and crush it off as an off day, but to an outsider, it almost feels like a relapse into their old ways. The ways which are the causes of the trophy eluding them for so long.

KL Rahul would walk home a happy captain, with his team ticking all the right boxes.