PBKS vs RCB Highlights, IPL 2026: Bengaluru qualify for playoffs, Punjab lose 6 in a row

One taken, three spots left - Right, 61 games done in the season, and we have our first playoff spot sealed. Two teams have been eliminated from the race, while 7 are still in contention for the remaining three spots. The 62nd game of the season is already underway in Delhi, where the Rajasthan Royals have been inserted to bat by the Delhi Capitals. You can switch tabs and follow the action from that game. Cheers!

PLAYER OF THE MATCH - Venkatesh Iyer gets the award for his stunning knock of 73 runs from 40 balls. Iyer says that, technically, this was only his second game for RCB, but the first time he got a proper opportunity with the bat, which made the performance and the two points even more pleasing. He adds that RCB welcomed him really well and credits Mo Bobat, Andy Flower and Dinesh Karthik for creating a highly professional setup. According to him, the brand of cricket RCB play is something that excites him a lot. Iyer admits that, while he still shares an emotional bond with KKR, having played for them previously, he already feels at home at RCB. He also says that he would be lying if he claimed he was not frustrated at not getting opportunities earlier, but understood that this is a champion side and changing a winning combination is never easy. At the same time, he says he always tried to make it clear to the coaching staff that he was eager to play and capable of making an impact. Speaking about his innings, Iyer says it was a scratchy start, but batting alongside Virat Kohli helped immensely. He praises Kohli’s ability to communicate and says that is one quality common among all the greats of the game. Having not batted for a while, he needed a few deliveries to get into rhythm, but once he understood the nature of the wicket and got the freedom to take on the bowling, things started to fall into place.

The captain of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru - Jitesh Sharma says that RCB were in control of the game throughout and never really felt under pressure. He adds that the side knew exactly what they wanted to do with the ball on this wicket, had specific plans for particular batters and were able to execute them well. Speaking about Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood, Jitesh says that the team is privileged to have bowlers of their quality and that their experience has been a huge help for him as a captain. Jitesh reiterates that RCB’s approach remains simple - to take one game at a time and focus on performing well in every match.

Time for the presentation ceremony...

RCB's tale with the bat - Earlier, the Punjab Kings opted to bowl first, but for the 8th time this season, they ended up conceding more than 200 runs. Virat Kohli's love affair with Punjab continued as he stitched together crucial partnerships, first with Devdutt Padikkal and then with Venkatesh Iyer. Venkatesh turned the heat as the innings went on, while Tim David chipped in with a handy cameo to help RCB post 222.

RCB survive Shashank storm - With 223 runs to chase, the Punjab Kings were pegged back early with the loss of three wickets in the Powerplay, leaving themselves with an uphill battle. It was the arrival of Shashank Singh that injected life into the chase, with as many as 58 runs coming between overs 13 and 16. It was anybody's game from there, but Josh Hazlewood, after taking a bit of tap in his first two overs, came roaring back at the death to help RCB stave off the fightback and close out the game.

A quick chat with the Purple Cap holder - Bhuvneshwar Kumar says that he was in a good rhythm and just continued with the momentum from the previous games. On practicing the yorker, Bhuvneshwar says it is not about what he does before the match but what he works on throughout the year that makes the difference. He adds that bowling to world-class opponents and getting it right gives you confidence. On bowling alongside Hazlewood, he says the experience and skill Hazlewood brings make a big difference and that the two are complementing each other well. He is quick to give credit to Rasikh as well, saying he is going under the radar but doing a fine job. About them qualifying for the playoffs, he says it feels great and that the first aim was always to make the playoffs, with a top-two finish being the target. He says you can see how much it means to the group, having worked very hard over the last two months.

The skipper of the Punjab Kings - Shreyas Iyer says that RCB got off to a great start by taking on their bowlers right after the Powerplay. Says it was a commendable performance by them to get to 222 and also admits that they couldn't pick wickets regularly in the middle phase. Feels that the game was lost in the Powerplay itself while chasing, as they were three down in that phase and highlights that the majority of their run scorers were out early. He adds that his own early dismissal was something he is really disappointed about. He credits Shashank and Stoinis and a few others in the middle for a commendable effort, saying they were nearly at ten an over at one point, but fell short against some tremendous bowling from Bhuvi and Hazlewood. On taking positives into their final league game, he says he is always positive regardless of results and that results do not dictate who he is as a person. He says he always approaches things with a positive attitude, does not dwell too much on the past, and that this game is done and gone. He adds that tomorrow he will see the sun rise again, and there is always light at the end of the tunnel.

Playoffs secured - Royal Challengers Bengaluru become the first team to qualify for the playoffs this season, and in doing so, they have made a strong statement in defence of their title. Punjab Kings, meanwhile, slip further into the muddle with a sixth straight defeat. The maximum they can now reach is 15 points, and they will need a whole host of other results to go their way to stand any chance.

19.6: Rasikh Salam to Azmatullah Omarzai, OUT! CAUGHT! RCB BEAT PBKS BY 23 RUNS! And with this, the defending champions become the first team to qualify for the playoffs. For Punjab Kings, it is a sixth defeat on the trot, and their grip on that playoff qualification is looking increasingly precarious. Pace off at 105.7 kph, back of a length outside the off stump. Omarzai makes room and looks to flat-bat it down the ground, but gets it off the toe end and picks out long off perfectly. Tim David takes an absolute dolly there. Smiles all around in the RCB camp but absolutely contrasting scenes in the other dugout. PBKS have lost all three of their games in Dharamsala.

19.5: Rasikh Salam to Harpreet Brar, Nails the yorker, on middle. Harpreet Brar squeezes it out off an inside edge behind on the leg side for a run.

19.4: Rasikh Salam to Harpreet Brar, FOUR! Suyash Sharma should have done better there. Angled in at the sticks, on a length, it is the back-of-the-hand slower one. Brar has a heave across the line and it goes off a top edge to short third. Suyash Sharma moves to his right as the ball gets to him on the bounce. He fails to make the stop and the ball bounces past him for a boundary.

19.3: Rasikh Salam to Harpreet Brar, Banged in short, over middle. Harpreet Brar almost swings himself off his feet as he swings a bit too hard on the pull. The ball flies over his blade and goes behind to the keeper.

19.2: Rasikh Salam to Shashank Singh, OUT! CAUGHT BY KOHLI! Not quite a yorker, but full and angling into the stumps. Shashank is rooted in the crease and goes for the pick-up shot again, but this time it comes off the toe of the bat and miscues straight to long on. Kohli is not dropping these. Gets down on his knees and pouches it comfortably. Kohli lets out a huge roar.

Harpreet Brar is the new batter.

19.2: Rasikh Salam to Shashank Singh, Wide! This is down the leg side and let through by Shashank Singh.

19.1: Rasikh Salam to Shashank Singh, Bethell in action again! A spectacular effort. Full and tailing back into the middle stump. Shashank sits deep in the crease, shuffles across, and whips it off the bottom half of the bat. It fizzes to the left of deep mid-wicket and Bethell is off in a flash, covering the ground and hurling himself into a full-length dive. The ball yorks his fingertips and rolls around him. The batters take a couple of runs.

19.1: Rasikh Salam to Shashank Singh, WIDE! Reload! Slower bumper, but over the head height of the batter. Shashank Singh looks to pull but misses out. Wide called.

Rasikh Salam to bowl with the Punjab Kings needing 33 runs from 6 balls.

18.6: Josh Hazlewood to Shashank Singh, Oh my days, what an effort from Bethell! A hit-me delivery from Hazlewood, full toss on middle. Shashank moves across in the crease and whips it off the pads toward deep backward square leg. Bethell tracks it like a hawk, moves to his right, times his leap to perfection, and plucks it clean. But the moment he realises he is tumbling over the ropes, he throws it back into the playing area in a flash. Just the single taken. PBKS go upstairs for a waist-height no ball, but Ball Tracking shows it is comfortably below the waist.

Is that a clean effort? If it is, then Jacob Bethell has saved five runs for his team. First, there is a review from the Punjab Kings to check the height of the full toss. The ball is dipping below waist height, so it stays a fair delivery. Bethell’s effort also appears to have come up clean on the background check.

18.5: Josh Hazlewood to Azmatullah Omarzai, Bowls a yorker again, tailing in on leg. Azmatullah Omarzai's head falls over but he manages to flick it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

18.4: Josh Hazlewood to Azmatullah Omarzai, Well bowled! At 143.2 kph, a sharp and quick bumper, over middle. Azmatullah Omarzai swings across for the pull but the ball climbs onto him and he is also beaten for pace.

18.3: Josh Hazlewood to Azmatullah Omarzai, FOUR! Off the edge, but PBKS won't mind one bit. Perfect yorker from Josh, on off. Azmatullah Omarzai tries to carve it powerfully through the cover region, but gets a fat outside edge and the ball squirts away to the deep third fence.

18.2: Josh Hazlewood to Azmatullah Omarzai, Decision overturned successfully! Hazlewood bowls it wide and very full, outside off, flirting with the tramline. Azmatullah Omarzai watches it closely and leaves. Wide called by the umpire. But RCB have gone upstairs for a review. It is a fair delivery to begin with. The TV confirms that the batter is standing slightly outside off at the point of release. So a revised guideline comes up. And the replay shows that the ball is passing well within that line. 

18.1: Josh Hazlewood to Shashank Singh, Length ball, on middle and off, nipping in. Shashank Singh moves across in the crease to help it away to the leg side, but inside edges and the ball rolls off his pads to the off side for a single.

Josh Hazlewood (3-0-29-1) has been given the 19th over. 

17.6: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Azmatullah Omarzai, SIX! CRACKING HIT! Right off the meat of the bat. Bowls a half volley, on the middle stump, does Bhuvneshwar. Azmatullah Omarzai reads the length early, dances down the track by staying leg side of the ball. He launches it inside out over extra cover for a flat six. The ball goes on to hit the display car. 40 runs needed from 12 balls.

17.5: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Shashank Singh, Attempted yorker on the stumps, Shashank whips it between long on and deep mid-wicket for a single only.

17.4: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Shashank Singh, FOUR! Whipped into the gap! FIFTY FOR SHASHANK! Off just 22 balls, and this is his 6th IPL half century. Singh moves outside off in the crease and whips this low full toss between long on and deep mid-wicket. Bisects the fielders nicely and picks up a boundary to get to his milestone. This has been a fine fighting knock from him. But he knows the job is far from being done.

17.3: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Shashank Singh, Short again, wide outside off. Shashank Singh throws everything left in the tank to uppercut it over point, but misses. Shashank looks for a wide, but the umpire is unmoved.

17.2: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Shashank Singh, FOUR! Smartly done! Short of a good length, outside the off stump. Shashank Singh plays off the back foot, leans back and by using the pace of the ball, he ramps it squarer, to the right of deep third for a boundary.

17.1: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Azmatullah Omarzai, A yorker, on off. All Omarzai could do was squeeze this out to deep cover for a single.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar will bowl out now. 

16.6: Josh Hazlewood to Shashank Singh, FOUR LEG BYES! Hoff loses the radar and bowls a low full toss, on the pads. Shashank Singh misses a flick and the ball deflects off the front pad before rushing to the deep fine leg fence. 56 needed from 18 balls.

16.5: Josh Hazlewood to Azmatullah Omarzai, Tries the yorker, but it slips out as a low full toss. Azmatullah Omarzai tries to pick the bones out of it in an attempting of heaving across the line, but inside edges on the front pad and it rolls to point for a single.

16.4: Josh Hazlewood to Shashank Singh, Pinpoint yorker, on middle. Shashank Singh looks to flick, but the ball reverses a bit and squirts through the inside edge, nutmegging Shashank before rolling to deep fine leg. One run taken.

16.3: Josh Hazlewood to Azmatullah Omarzai, Back of a length, tailing back in on leg. Azmatullah Omarzai backs away and pulls it to deep square leg for a single.

16.2: Josh Hazlewood to Azmatullah Omarzai, Hard length, on middle and leg. Omarzai bunts it down the pitch.

One of those decisions that could have gone either way. Marcus Stoinis trudges off, shaking his head. Azmatullah Omarzai is the new man in.

16.1: Josh Hazlewood to Marcus Stoinis, OUT! LBW! An Aussie dismisses his fellow Aussie. A timely wicket by Hazlewood and he breaks the 67-run partnership for the sixth wicket. Hazlewood slips in a thigh-high full toss, angling onto the pads. Stoinis walks inside the line and looks to whip it over square leg, but misses to connect and the ball hits the flap of his front pad. RCB go up in appeal as one and up goes the finger. Marcus Stoinis has taken the review to challenge the on-field decision of out. UltraEdge comes up with a flat line, and the Ball Tracking shows that it is projected to clip the leg stump on umpire's call. So the on-field decision is upheld and Stoinis has to walk back. PBKS are 160/6, needing 63 more runs.

STRATEGIC BREAK! Folks, it is game on in Dharamsala. The arrival of Shashank Singh has breathed fresh life into the chase for Punjab Kings, and 63 needed off 24 balls is very much achievable, with Azmatullah Omarzai still to come. RCB will hope that this break in play helps disrupt the momentum the batting side has gained. Given the quality RCB possess in their ranks, they will back themselves to close this out. Josh Hazlewood to bowl after the break. 2-0-26-0 so far for Hazlewood.

15.6: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Marcus Stoinis, Almost a wide yorker, outside off. Marcus Stoinis plants his back knee into the pitch and powers it to deep point for a single. 14 runs from this over. 

15.5: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Marcus Stoinis, Inside the tramline? The umpire thinks so, but Marcus Stoinis has challenged the call. A well-executed yorker by Bhuvi, right at the tramline. Stoinis lets it go, thinking it is a wide. Marcus is standing outside the line of the off stump, which has resulted in a revised guideline. The ball is clearly within the revised tramline. It stays as a fair delivery.

15.4: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Marcus Stoinis, FOUR! Good shot! Bhuvi nearly nails the yorker, on middle. Stoinis hangs deep in the crease and clears the front leg before whipping it in the gap between deep mid-wicket and long on. Tim David sprints to his right in the deep and dives but in vain.

15.3: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Shashank Singh, Nails the yorker, on off. Singh digs it out to short third and crosses over.

15.2: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Shashank Singh, SIX! Out comes the helicopter! That is some shot. Slot ball from Bhuvneshwar, on middle. Shashank Singh gets a bit across in the crease and, using his wrists, he pumps it over the cow corner fence for a big six. Quick hands and a strong bottom hand from Shashank and the belief will surely grow in that PBKS camp. 150 UP FOR PUNJAB KINGS!

15.1: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Shashank Singh, Excellent effort in the deep from Kohli! Full toss, outside off. Shashank Singh stays put and drills it to the left of long off. Virat Kohli runs and puts in an athletic dive to his left and saves two for his team.

Another big over for the Kings. Last 5 overs to go and they need 77 runs from those. Bhuvneshwar Kumar (2-0-8-2) is back on, replacing Krunal Pandya.

14.6: Rasikh Salam to Marcus Stoinis, FOUR MORE! It was turning out to be a quiet over, but it ended well from Punjab's perspective. Low full toss, on middle. Stoinis takes it on the full and whips it all along the ground. He picks the gap between deep mid-wicket and long on for a boundary. 12 runs off the over. 89 needed from 36 balls.

14.5: Rasikh Salam to Marcus Stoinis, FOUR! Hit hard and wide enough! Rasikh goes searching for the yorker but it comes out as a low full toss, outside off. Stoinis brings his bottom hand into play and powers the drive to the left of Virat Kohli at long off for a four.

14.4: Rasikh Salam to Shashank Singh, Bowls the back-of-the-hand slower ball, on a good length, near the guideline. Shashank Singh slaps it straight to deep cover for a single.

14.3: Rasikh Salam to Marcus Stoinis, Another yorker, this time at the base of the off pole. Stoinis jams it out to deep mid-wicket and gets to the other end.

14.2: Rasikh Salam to Marcus Stoinis, Nails the wide yorker, outside off. Marcus Stoinis fail to squeeze it out and the ball sneaks just inside the tramline.

14.1: Rasikh Salam to Shashank Singh, Does not carry! Cross-seam ball, on a length, outside off. Shashank Singh swings with all his might. Sices it off the outer half to deep point, where Krunal Pandya runs in off the ropes but the ball drops short. The batters cross for a single.

14.1: Rasikh Salam to Shashank Singh, Wide! Rasikh Salam goes short, over middle. Too high for the umpire's liking and Singh lets it go.

32 runs in the last 2 overs for the Punjab Kings. The equation now reads 89 runs needed from 36 balls. Back to pace as Rasikh Salam (2-0-15-1) returns into the attack.

13.6: Krunal Pandya to Shashank Singh, Full and quick, on the pads. Shashank turns it through square leg and retains the strike with a single.

13.5: Krunal Pandya to Shashank Singh, FOUR! How often have we seen this? A dropped catch is followed by a boundary on the next ball. Bowled with a round-arm action, fractionally short, outside off. Singh gets the width to free his arms and he cuts it past point for a four.

13.4: Krunal Pandya to Marcus Stoinis, PUT DOWN! That should have been taken. Flat and a bit short, on middle. Marcus Stoinis gets down on a knee for the slog sweep. Hits flat towards deep mid-wicket, where Jacob Bethell moves to his right and gets low to take the catch, but can't cling on. Single taken.

13.3: Krunal Pandya to Shashank Singh, Fuller and on middle. This is flicked through mid-wicket for a run.

13.2: Krunal Pandya to Shashank Singh, FOUR! Clever, very clever! Krunal slips in the short ball, angled in on middle. Shashank Singh arches back and plays the upper cut fine of the man at short third for a boundary.

13.1: Krunal Pandya to Marcus Stoinis, Speared in on a length, following the batter. Marcus Stoinis punches it to long off for a single.

Just the big over PBKS were looking for. But they need more of those as the required run rate is still hovering just below 15. Krunal Pandya (2-0-15-0) to bowl his third over on the bounce.

12.6: Suyash Sharma to Shashank Singh, SIX! Third six of the over and Suyash Sharma has been taken apart. Bowls the googly and it is a bit slower, on a good length, on middle. Shashank swings across with the spin. Gets more height than distance but manages to clear the square le fence. 20 runs off the over.

12.5: Suyash Sharma to Shashank Singh, SIX! Straight as an arrow! Right in the hitting arc, on a length, on off. Shashank Singh holds his shape and thumps it towards the sight screen for another six.

12.4: Suyash Sharma to Shashank Singh, Shorter and quicker, on middle. Shashank Singh hangs back to keep it out. Ekes out an inside edge onto the pads.

12.3: Suyash Sharma to Marcus Stoinis, Flat and full, outside off. Stoinis presses forward and drills it back past the bowler for a single.

12.2: Suyash Sharma to Shashank Singh, Suyash is brave to toss it up and dishes out the googly. Full and outside off. Shashank looks to go through the off side but miscues it off the inner half to long on. They cross.

12.1: Suyash Sharma to Shashank Singh, SIX! Clean as a whistle! Suyash Sharma serves it on a length, around off. Shashank is standing on the off stump and with a clean swing of the arms, he parks it over long on for a biggie.

Punjab Kings need 121 runs from 48 balls. The asking rate is just above 15. Something has to give now for the hosts before it's too late. Suyash Sharma (3-0-30-1) to bowl out.

11.6: Krunal Pandya to Shashank Singh, Slows it down, bowled a bit short, on middle. Shashank Singh turns it through mid-wicket for another single.

11.5: Krunal Pandya to Marcus Stoinis, Pushes it through, at the sticks. Marcus pats it to long on for a run.

11.4: Krunal Pandya to Marcus Stoinis, FOUR! In the gap! A shimmy outside the leg stump from Stoinis early and Krunal tries to fire it wide on off. Marcus manages to get closer to the line of the ball and slices it with an open bat face to the right of backward point for a boundary. The 100 comes up for PBKS.

11.3: Krunal Pandya to Shashank Singh, Darted into the right-hander, on a good length. Shashank Singh has a swipe across the line. He gets it away behind square leg for a single.

11.2: Krunal Pandya to Marcus Stoinis, Bowled with a round-arm action, shorter and on middle. Stoinis whips it to wide long on for a single.

11.1: Krunal Pandya to Marcus Stoinis, Full and on middle. Stoinis pushes it back to Krunal.

11.1: Krunal Pandya to Marcus Stoinis, Wide! Out comes the bumper, down leg. Marcus Stoinis lets it pass. Jitesh Sharma leaps to his left and makes the stop.

10.6: Suyash Sharma to Shashank Singh, Rapped on the pads! The appeal dies down quickly as the impact is well outside the line. Floated up, it is the googly, on a length, outside off. Shashank Singh lunges for the block but is beaten on the inside edge and wears it on the pads.

The Kings lose half their side with Shedge's dismissal. Virat Kohli, meanwhile, has rushed into the dugout and seems to have hurt the fingers of his left hand. He has his left hand dipped in a glass of warm water. Shashank Singh is the new batter in at number 7.

10.5: Suyash Sharma to Suryansh Shedge, OUT! CAUGHT! Suryansh Shedge could not have picked out the fielder any better. Dragged down by Suyash, near the tramline. Shedge stays rooted in the crease and reaches out with his hands. He wanted to go inside out over cover but ended up hitting it flat with a horizontal bat towards long off. Virat Kohli moves to his left, bends and grabs it in reverse cup style in front of his neck. Kohli seems to have injured his pinky finger in the process.

10.4: Suyash Sharma to Marcus Stoinis, Slower and a bit short, outside off. Marcus stands tall and powers it to long off for one.

10.4: Suyash Sharma to Marcus Stoinis, Wide! Sprayed beyond the tramline this time. Stoinis lets it go.

10.3: Suyash Sharma to Marcus Stoinis, Stays on the shorter side at 99.3 kph, on off. Stoinis hangs back, looking to force it down the ground. Marcus is rushed and slices it over the man at extra cover for a couple of runs.

10.2: Suyash Sharma to Suryansh Shedge, On a nagging length, on off. Shedge hits it down to long on for a single.

10.1: Suyash Sharma to Suryansh Shedge, Flat and short, pushed through. Suryansh Shedge is made to reach out and he swings hard at it. Gets it off the inner half towards the vacant wide mid-wicket region. Jacob Bethell swoops in off the ropes and fires in a throw at the keeper. The ball pings Suryansh on the right forearm as he completes the second run.

9.6: Krunal Pandya to Suryansh Shedge, Overpitched on middle and leg. Suryansh Shedge flicks it along the grass to deep mid-wicket for another run. 6 singles from Krunal's first over. Pretty tidy from him. At halfway, the Punjab Kings are 86/4.

9.5: Krunal Pandya to Marcus Stoinis, A bit more round-armish, on the stumps, drifting in. Marcus Stoinis backs away and tucks the length ball to deep mid-wicket for a single.

9.4: Krunal Pandya to Suryansh Shedge, Tosses up wide and full, outside off. Suryansh Shedge carves it through cover for a run.

9.3: Krunal Pandya to Marcus Stoinis, Not all that short, on leg, Marcus Stoinis goes back and across before nudging it to deep backward square leg for a single.

9.2: Krunal Pandya to Suryansh Shedge, Pushed into the batter, on a fractionally fuller length, around the leg stump. Suryansh Shedge clips it off the front foot to deep square leg for a single.

9.1: Krunal Pandya to Marcus Stoinis, Flatter delivery from around the stump. On middle, Stoinis hangs back and knocks it through mid off for a single.

STRATEGIC BREAK! Just as the Punjab Kings had started to get a partnership going, Cooper Connolly fell, and now they have it all to do, with the required run rate being 13. They cannot afford to let the game drift any further away and need to put their foot down soon. Krunal Pandya is yet to come into the attack, and he could prove to be a real handful against these two right-handers. It will be Krunal to bowl after the break.

8.6: Suyash Sharma to Marcus Stoinis, At 88.8 kph, this is short and outside off. Marcus Stoinis presses back and punches it to cover. Venkatesh Iyer fumbles to pick it up and the ball rolls to the deep for a single. 143 runs needed from 66 balls.

8.5: Suyash Sharma to Suryansh Shedge, Drags the length back by a few yards, on off. Shedge hangs back and cuts it to deep point for a run.

8.4: Suyash Sharma to Suryansh Shedge, Slightly fuller, around off. Suryansh Shedge drives it all along the ground to the right of cover. Virat Kohli charges across to his left from long on and dives to cut it off. He covers a lot of ground in the process and saves a couple of runs for his team. That brings about a loud cheer from the crowd as well.

8.3: Suyash Sharma to Suryansh Shedge, SIX! Wowza! Serves a slot ball, does Suyash. On middle and Suryansh Shedge picks the googly off the bowler's wrist. Gets down on a knee and slog sweeps it massively into the stands behind deep mid-wicket.

8.2: Suyash Sharma to Marcus Stoinis, Googly now, on the shorter side, on leg. Marcus Stoinis tucks it through square leg for a single.

8.1: Suyash Sharma to Suryansh Shedge, A leg break, short, on off, holds on a touch. Suryansh Shedge works it off the inner half of the bat to long on for a single.

7.6: Romario Shepherd to Marcus Stoinis, FOUR! Pierces the gap to perfection! Outside off, on a length, at a gentle pace. Marcus Stoinis opens the bat face at the point of contact and finds the gap between short third and backward point for a boundary. A wicket and 8 runs from this over.

7.5: Romario Shepherd to Marcus Stoinis, Full and straight on off, Stoinis carves it to the mid off fielder.

7.4: Romario Shepherd to Marcus Stoinis, Back of a length, outside off, crisply punched away by Stoinis to deep extra cover for a couple of runs. Gets off the mark, does Marcus.

Marcus Stoinis makes his way out to bat.

7.3: Romario Shepherd to Cooper Connolly, OUT! HIGH UP AND CAUGHT​​! Romario Shepherd comes up with a massive breakthrough. And things are looking pretty ominous for the Punjab Kings now. Shepherd spears it full and on middle and leg. Cooper Connolly goes for the pick-up shot and looks to park it into the stands, but gets more height on it and not the required distance. Jacob Bethell moves to his left from deep square leg and judges the trajectory of the ball watchfully, and takes the catch to his left, around his chest. PBKS are 62/4, needing 161 runs from 75 balls.

7.2: Romario Shepherd to Suryansh Shedge, From over the wicket to the right-hander. Touch fuller, around off. Suryansh Shedge presses forward and knocks it through cover for a single.

7.1: Romario Shepherd to Cooper Connolly, Bowls from a wider angle, and around the stump. Short on off, angling in. Cooper heaves it along the ground to deep mid-wicket for a run.

No Krunal Pandya just yet. Romario Shepherd to bowl now.

6.6: Suyash Sharma to Cooper Connolly, Provides a lot more flight on this one, at 86.5 kph, and it is the googly outside off. Cooper stands tall and steers it to the deep point region for a single.

6.5: Suyash Sharma to Cooper Connolly, SIX! MUSCLED INTO THE STANDS! Way too short by Suyash, on middle. Cooper Connolly has all the time in the world to get himself into a stable position and he pulls it comfortably over cow corner for a huge six.

6.4: Suyash Sharma to Suryansh Shedge, Touch short, on off, Suryansh Shedge stays deep in the crease and pulls the leg break to Virat Kohli at long on for a single.

6.3: Suyash Sharma to Cooper Connolly, One more wrong'un, short and outside off. Cooper Connolly pulls it to long on for a run.

6.2: Suyash Sharma to Suryansh Shedge, Drag-downer, another googly and wide outside off. Suryansh Shedge presses back and cuts it to deep point for an easy single.

6.1: Suyash Sharma to Cooper Connolly, Dishes out a flat googly, short in length, Cooper Connolly hangs back and swats it down to long on for a single. 50 UP FOR PBKS!

Time for spin as the leggie Suyash Sharma comes on.

5.6: Rasikh Salam to Cooper Connolly, In front of the stumps, nipping back in, full in length. Cooper Connolly flicks it to wide mid-wicket. The fielder dives to his right and parries the ball to Romario Shepherd who charges in off the ropes from long on. They cross. 11 runs off the over. The Punjab Kings end their Powerplay at 49/3.

The ball has lost its shape after landing beyond the fence, around the owners' area of the Punjab Kings. The fourth umpire is out with the box of balls. One person trying to move away to avoid getting hit ended up tripping over, but he is back in his seat now and appears to be in good spirits, which is good to see. We are all good to go.

5.5: Rasikh Salam to Cooper Connolly, SIX! Off the top edge! At 134.2 kph, short of a good length, on top of off. Cooper Connolly swings the bat hard to pull it into the stands over square leg, but the ball kicks up ever so slightly and takes the top edge. Flies over the deep fine leg fence for half a dozen runs.

5.4: Rasikh Salam to Cooper Connolly, In-between length, on middle, Connolly tucks it to mid-wicket.

5.3: Rasikh Salam to Cooper Connolly, Nagging length, slanting in and around the leg stump, skidding through. Cooper is rushed on the pull shot. Misses and the ball deflects away off the thigh pad to short third.

5.2: Rasikh Salam to Cooper Connolly, FOUR! Timed to perfection! Overpitched back-of-the-hand slower delivery, on middle and leg, Cooper Connolly brings his bat out in front and drills it straight down the ground, beating mid off's dive to his left and picks up a boundary.

5.1: Rasikh Salam to Cooper Connolly, Around the stump. Bashes the length hard, angling it into the batter. Cooper Connolly is pinned in the crease and looks to glance it off the back foot but misses and is hit on the thigh pad.

4.6: Josh Hazlewood to Suryansh Shedge, Lands it on a back of a length, outside off. Suryansh Shedge extends his hands and steers it behind point with an open bat face. Tim David sprints to his right in the deep and dives to prevent the boundary. Looks like he has injured himself in the process. Two runs taken.

13 runs already from this over, with a ball to go.

4.6: Josh Hazlewood to Suryansh Shedge, Wide! Down leg, slightly on the shorter side. Suryansh walks inside the line for the glance but misses.

4.5: Josh Hazlewood to Suryansh Shedge, FOUR! Streaky! At 138.3 kph, on a shortish length, angled at the bodyline of the batter. Suryansh Shedge steps out and swings across for the pull. The ball gets big on him and it goes off the top edge over the keeper's head for a four.

4.4: Josh Hazlewood to Suryansh Shedge, Dug in short, over middle. Suryansh advances early and ducks under it eventually.

4.3: Josh Hazlewood to Suryansh Shedge, Nails the yorker, on middle. Suryansh Shedge digs it out back to the bowler.

4.2: Josh Hazlewood to Suryansh Shedge, SIX! Incredible shot! Shedge backs away just as Hazlewood is about to release. Josh follows him with a cross-seam ball, on a back of a length. Suryansh still has enough room to work with it and he presses back to mow it over mid-wicket for a biggie.

4.2: Josh Hazlewood to Suryansh Shedge, Wide! Sprayed down leg, on a nagging length. Suryansh Shedge fails to help it away.

4.1: Josh Hazlewood to Cooper Connolly, Hits the back of a length, on off. Connolly gets on his toes to force it away. Ekes out an inside edge and it goes down to deep fine leg for a run.

Switch of ends for Josh Hazlewood (1-0-11-0). He replaces Bhuvneshwar Kumar.

3.6: Rasikh Salam to Suryansh Shedge, FOUR! Suryansh Shedge is off the mark. A bit too short by Salam, outside off. Shedge gets the width to free his arms and he gets on top of the bounce to slap it past point for a boundary.

3.5: Rasikh Salam to Suryansh Shedge, Keeps it nice and tight, on a short of a length, on off. Shedge taps it to cover from the crease.

3.4: Rasikh Salam to Suryansh Shedge, A play and a miss! In the channel on off, on a back of a length. Shedge pushes away from his body and is beaten past the outside edge.

3.3: Rasikh Salam to Suryansh Shedge, Goes short but fails to get the height right, on middle. Suryansh Shedge gets behind the line and blocks it off.

That's like a hammer blow for the Punjab Kings. RCB are flying high in the hosts' territory. Suryansh Shedge is the next batter in at number 5.

3.2: Rasikh Salam to Shreyas Iyer, OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Immediate impact from the Impact Sub. Cross-seam ball by Rasikh, bowled into the wicket, just outside the off stump. Just like he did when he was bowled by Shardul Thakur in the previous game against MI, Shreyas stays leg side of the ball and presents an angled bat face. The ball nips away enough to square Iyer up. It grazes the outside edge and the keeper, Jitesh Sharma gobbles it up. Punjab Kings are 19/3, in tremendous trouble, as they lose their skipper now.

3.1: Rasikh Salam to Shreyas Iyer, A bit of away shape, on a good length. Shreyas tries to cash in on the width and swings a bit too hard. Ends up bunting it down in front of cover.

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru opt to use their Impact Sub option now. Devdutt Padikkal has been subbed out, and he makes way for Rasikh Salam, who will bowl straightaway. He replaces Josh Hazlewood.

Devdutt Padikkal is substituted by Rasikh Salam

2.6: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Shreyas Iyer, Goes fuller now, on off. Shreyas leans forward and pats it in front of mid off. He takes a quick single to open his account.

And just like that, both the Punjab openers have been dismissed cheaply. The pressure continues to mount on the hosts. And in walks the PBKS skipper, Shreyas Iyer, at number 4.

2.5: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Prabhsimran Singh, OUT! EDGED AND GONE! A sharp grab from Devdutt Padikkal. Wicket number 24 of the season for Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Not the best of balls by Bhuvi. Short and wide on off, asking to be hit. Prabhsimran frees his arms and throws his hands at the ball. It flies off the toe end towards first slip, where Padikkal reacts quickly and takes the catch to his right at chest height. Both Punjab openers back in the hut inside 3 overs.

2.4: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Prabhsimran Singh, At the sticks, a bit fuller, Prabhsimran pushes it to mid on.

2.3: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Cooper Connolly, This is on a back of a length, angling away. Cooper pushes at the ball with hard hands. Gets it off the outer half behind point for one more.

2.2: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Prabhsimran Singh, On top of off, coming back into the right-hander. Prabhsimran plays it late and dabs it down to deep backward point for a single.

Oh, dear! Bhuvneshwar Kumar loses the grip of the ball just when he was about to release. He will have to reload.

2.1: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Prabhsimran Singh, Delivers it on a nagging length, on off and middle. Prabhsimran keeps it out off the back foot.

1.6: Josh Hazlewood to Cooper Connolly, Fine riposte from Hazlewood. It is the nip-backer and the length is pulled back, on middle. Connolly hangs back to deal with it but is cut in half due to the seam movement. A good diving take to his right by Jitesh Sharma.

1.5: Josh Hazlewood to Cooper Connolly, SIX! This has been a really positive start from Connolly. Hazlewood switches to around the wicket and pushes the length up, on middle. Cooper hangs deep in the crease but gets his hands out in front and whips it over long on for a six.

1.4: Josh Hazlewood to Cooper Connolly, Tighter line, on middle, on a nagging length. Cooper punches it on the rise to cover-point.

1.3: Josh Hazlewood to Cooper Connolly, FOUR! Quality shot! Nothing wrong with the ball. Just outside the off stump, on a short of a good length. Connolly gets on his toes to ride the bounce and plays it close to his body. He punches it through point and picks up a boundary.

1.2: Josh Hazlewood to Cooper Connolly, Bowled on middle and leg, on a back of a length. Connolly nudges it to mid-wicket.

1.1: Josh Hazlewood to Prabhsimran Singh, In the channel, a bit short, Prabhsimran extends his hands and cuts it to deep backward point for a single to get off the mark.

Bhuvi sets the tone strongly yet again for RCB. PBKS need 218 runs from 114 balls. And here's Josh Hazlewood from the opposite end. A slip in place.

0.6: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Cooper Connolly, From around the wicket now, on a back of a length, angled in on middle. Cooper taps it from the crease to mid off.

0.5: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Cooper Connolly, Beaten! Bhuvneshwar gets the ball to leave the left-hander, on a length. Connolly pushes away from his body and the ball whistles past the outside edge.

0.4: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Cooper Connolly, FOUR! Untidy from Romario Shepherd. Shaping back in sharply, full and on middle and leg. Cooper Connolly brings his bat out in front and drives it wide of mid on. Shepherd moves to his right but is late to get down. The ball goes through his hands before nutmegging him and races towards the fence.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar keeps adding wickets to his tally and continues his purple patch, quite literally. PBKS are rocked early, and that brings Cooper Connolly at number 3.

0.3: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Priyansh Arya, OUT! CAUGHT! A soft dismissal. A three-ball duck for Priyansh Arya and the home side suffer an early blow. Fractionally short, on middle and leg. Arya stays back in the crease and looks to jab it away in front of square on the leg side. The ball comes off the toe end of the blade and balloons to mid on, where Romario Shepherd moves a bit to his left and gets low to snaffle it. PBKS are 1/1, chasing 223.

0.2: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Priyansh Arya, At 136.9 kph, on a short of a good length, over off. Arya angles it from the crease to cover-point.

0.2: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Priyansh Arya, Wide! Fuller and going down leg, Priyansh misses out on the tickle. The Kings are underway with this extra.

0.1: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Priyansh Arya, Beats the bat straight away! At 132.3 kph, moving away off the seam, on a back of a length. Arya hangs back and has a slight fiddle at it. Gets beaten on the outside edge.

Welcome back for the all-important run chase. RCB form a huddle near the ropes before they spread across the park. The destructive opening pair of Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh walk to the crease for PBKS to open the innings. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, the Purple Cap holder currently, has the new ball in hand. Priyansh to face and there's a slip in place. Here we go again...

... THE RUN CHASE ...

Been there, done that - The pitch is not quite as easy as RCB made it look, mind you. The cutters were holding up off the surface, and that will be RCB's template with the ball, though they will need sharper execution to make it count. That said, Punjab Kings have found plenty of comfort chasing down big totals this season, particularly those 220s and 230s. And they will come out with belief, motivated by what they have done before to get back to winning ways. But for that, they will have to execute the highest successful run chase in Dharamsala as well. And against an in-form RCB bowling lineup, it is going to be a lot more challenging for them. With a lot riding on for both teams, a huge run chase is up next very shortly. Stay tuned.

RCB's man in form is up for a chat - Devdutt Padikkal says that RCB have posted a pretty good total and adds that the bowlers will now need to execute well, just like in any other game. He mentions that the pitch has been a little slow, which is something you expect in day games, and that the ball was not coming on nicely with the new ball. According to him, the key will be to bowl into the wicket a bit more, and he backs RCB’s skilful bowling attack to know exactly what to do. Shares that whenever he walks out to bat in the Powerplay, his role is to stitch together a partnership, maintain the momentum and put the team in a really good position. Tells that he is happy he was able to do that today.

PBKS couldn't stop the leakage - A brief quiet spell threatened to put a lid on things, but Venkatesh Iyer shifted through the gears with some clean, purposeful hitting to drag the innings back to full throttle. Kohli had already departed for a smart fifty, prised out by Chahal, but the groundwork was done. Venkatesh built on it beautifully, making the most of his time in the middle and racing to a fifty of his own. With the familiar struggles coming back to haunt the Punjab Kings, they couldn't pick wickets in clusters and also struggled to finish strongly in the death phase. Although Azmatullah Omarzai bowled a fantastic penultimate over, Tim David went berserk against Arshdeep in the final one, offering those vital finishing touches, to get his team past 220. 

Kohli and Padikkal set a strong base - The surface looked a decent one to bat on, with some early movement that faded as the innings wore on, though the day game conditions kept things a touch slow throughout. RCB lost Bethell, who fell early doors again, but Kohli and Padikkal were in no mood to let the innings drift. The two feasted on anything loose, putting the bad ball away with ease and at will. It was Padikkal who came out swinging as the designated aggressor, while Kohli quietly but firmly kept the scoreboard ticking at the other end. The pair had piled on 76 together before Brar broke the alliance just past the halfway point, with RCB 101/2. 

Runs galore in Dharamsala - Well, another game, another 200-plus total on the board. This is now the highest first innings score in Dharamsala in an afternoon IPL game, eclipsing the previous best of 198/2 set by the Deccan Chargers all the way back in 2011. So the Punjab Kings already have a huge task up their sleeves if they are to break their five-match losing slide.

19.6: Arshdeep Singh to Tim David, OUT! CAUGHT! A wicket to end the innings. RCB finish on 222/4. A thigh-high full toss, on the pads. There to be put away and David swings at it but is early into the lofted hit. It comes right off the toe end of the blade and it goes straight down the throat of Harpreet Brar at deep backward square leg, who takes an easy catch around his waist. David takes the review, wanting to check the height of the full toss. The side-on replays confirm that the ball was well below the waist, and the third umpire feels no need to check the height with the Ball Tracker.

Review time. The catch is taken cleanly in the deep by Brar, but David thinks it is above waist height and sends it upstairs for a review. The side on review comes up and there is no need for the Ball Tracking as it is clearly dipping below David's waist. It's a fair delivery. OUT loads on the big screen.

19.5: Arshdeep Singh to Tim David, FOUR! Hammered down the ground! Attempted yorker gone wrong for Arshdeep. Right in the slot, on off and middle. David collapses his back knee and slams it to the right of long off for a boundary. Just 4 runs off the first 3 balls, but the next 2 have gone for 10. Can Arshdeep finish well?

19.4: Arshdeep Singh to Tim David, SIX! There's the big hit RCB were looking for. Arshdeep tries to cramp David for room but he misses his mark in terms of the yorker. It is enough for Tim to get under it. He clears the front leg and clobbers it over mid-wicket for a six.

19.3: Arshdeep Singh to Venkatesh Iyer, Back to bowling the wide yorker. Iyer digs it out to the left of short third for just a single.

19.2: Arshdeep Singh to Tim David, Good change-up. Arshdeep moves away from the yorker plan and catches David by surprise. Bangs in the bumper, over middle. Tim is rushed on the pull and gets it off the splice of the blade. It drops in the vacant mid-wicket region for one.

19.2: Arshdeep Singh to Tim David, Wide! Arshdeep slips in the yorker but sprays it down leg. David dances down the track and eventually lets it be.

19.1: Arshdeep Singh to Venkatesh Iyer, Right on the tramline, a yorker. Venkatesh Iyer reaches out to go through the off side. Miscues it off the toe end in front of square on the leg side for a run.

A fine, fine penultimate over from Omarzai, with two big hitters at the crease. Arshdeep Singh (3-0-29-0) will bowl the final over.

18.6: Azmatullah Omarzai to Tim David, FOUR! That has raced away! Still, only 8 runs off the 19th over. The Punjab Kings will take it. Azmatullah Omarzai misses his yorker by a small margin. It is a low full toss, outside off. David gets his hands through the ball and slices it with an open bat face behind point. The deep backward point fielder does not have a lot of ground to cover to his right but he is still beaten.

18.5: Azmatullah Omarzai to Venkatesh Iyer, Very full, outside off, Venkatesh Iyer carves it with an open bat face to deep point for only a single.

18.4: Azmatullah Omarzai to Venkatesh Iyer, Is there an edge? Prabhsimran Singh went up in an appeal before bailing out. Shreyas Iyer asks Azmatullah Omarzai and eventually takes the review. Gets the yorker in, outside off. Iyer opens the bat face, trying to slice it behind point, but appears to have missed any contact with the ball. The sound seems to be of the bat hitting the ground. Flat line on UltraEdge when the ball is next to the bat. It was after the ball went past the bat that the blade hit the ground. NOT OUT. 

18.3: Azmatullah Omarzai to Venkatesh Iyer, Going away with the angle, on a good length. Iyer hangs back and swings but does not pick the change of pace and the ball sneaks under the bat.

18.2: Azmatullah Omarzai to Tim David, Takes pace off and keeps it away from the batter, on the shorter side. Tim drags the pull to deep mid-wicket for one.

18.1: Azmatullah Omarzai to Tim David, Bashes the back of a length, keeping it around the tramline. David swings hard at it, and it goes to deep point. Suryansh Shedge sprints and dives to his left in the deep. Tries to relay it towards the converging Harpreet Brar, who lets it through his legs, but it does not cost any extra runs to Punjab as the duo mop it up. A couple of runs for David.

Another over that goes for double digits. 230-240 is pretty much on cards now, with 7 wickets in hand. And PBKS have opted to use their Impact Sub option. Marcus Stoinis comes in, while Yuzvendra Chahal is subbed out. Chahal still had one over left in his spell, but he was too expensive and makes his way to the dugout. Azmatullah Omarzai (3-0-30-0) is back into the attack now, replacing Lockie Ferguson.

Yuzvendra Chahal is substituted by Marcus Stoinis

17.6: Arshdeep Singh to Venkatesh Iyer, Nails the yorker, on off. Venkatesh Iyer stays leg side and has a big heave across the line but the ball drops under his bat.

17.5: Arshdeep Singh to Venkatesh Iyer, FOUR! Easy pickings! Arshdeep spots Iyer backing away and he tries to follow him. It comes out as a low full toss, on the pads. Venkatesh swings away and it goes on the bounce to the deep backward square leg fence. The 200 comes up for RCB.

17.4: Arshdeep Singh to Tim David, Tucks the batter up for room and bowls it very full. David eases it to long on for a single.

17.3: Arshdeep Singh to Tim David, SIX! Danger signs for PBKS as David cuts loose now! Short from around the stump, on middle. Tim David picks the length in a trice and ferociously pulls it for a flat six behind deep mid-wicket.

17.2: Arshdeep Singh to Venkatesh Iyer, Attempted yorker, tailing in a bit, on off. Iyer drills it down to long on for a single.

17.1: Arshdeep Singh to Tim David, Back of a length, straightening off the pitch with some bounce, around off. David is squared up and gets a thick outside edge to short third. The ball goes on the bounce to Shashank Singh there and the batters hustle through for a run.

Mayhem in Dharamsala. The last three overs have gone for 44 runs, and if PBKS were looking to slow things down after Kohli's wicket, the innings has had absolutely none of it. Arshdeep Singh is brought back on.

16.6: Lockie Ferguson to Venkatesh Iyer, SIX! High and handsome! Ferguson goes searching for the yorker but ends up serving it right in the hitting arc, full and on middle and leg. Venkatesh gets the front leg out of the way and winds up to dump it beyond the long on fence. 19 runs off the over. Lockie's figures read 3-0-43-0.

16.5: Lockie Ferguson to Venkatesh Iyer, Brings out the slower, dipping yorker, on middle. Venkatesh hangs low and bunts it back to the bowler.

16.5: Lockie Ferguson to Venkatesh Iyer, Wide given for height. Out comes the slower bumper by Lockie, over middle. Iyer hops to flay it over the keeper but misses. The Punjab Kings challenge the wide call. Iyer's head is measured at 1.940 metres, and the ball is passing him at 2.076 metres. There is no contact with the bat or the glove either. The wide call stays.

16.4: Lockie Ferguson to Venkatesh Iyer, FOUR! Creamed away! Ferguson goes full this time, searching for the yorker, on middle. Iyer gets his hands through the ball and drills it all along the ground between extra cover and mid off.

16.3: Lockie Ferguson to Venkatesh Iyer, SIX! Venkatesh Iyer brings up his FIFTY in some style. His first half-century of the season and he is making the most of the opportunity. Ferguson bowls it on a good length, on middle and leg. Iyer backs away, knowing that mid off is up inside the circle. He gets under the ball and lofts it with a high elbow over mid off for a six.

16.2: Lockie Ferguson to Tim David, Very full, on middle and leg. David hangs deep in the crease and wrists it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

16.1: Lockie Ferguson to Venkatesh Iyer, Pace off, on a length, on middle. Venkatesh Iyer clears the front leg and clubs it to deep mid-wicket for a run.

15.6: Azmatullah Omarzai to Venkatesh Iyer, On a short of a length, on off. This is thumped to long off for a single.

15.5: Azmatullah Omarzai to Venkatesh Iyer, FOUR! Iyer repeats the dose! Into the surface, over off, Venkatesh is across his stumps once again and waits for the ball to arrive before playing the scoop, this time to the left of the man at short fine leg for four more.

15.4: Azmatullah Omarzai to Venkatesh Iyer, FOUR! Cleverly played! Low full toss, around the tramline on off. Venkatesh Iyer anticipates the line to be outside off, and he walks across early. He gets low, takes it on the full and scoops it to the right of the diving short fine leg fielder for a boundary.

15.3: Azmatullah Omarzai to Venkatesh Iyer, Dug in short and outside off. Venkatesh Iyer looks to slam it over covers, but the ball arrives later than he expected and ends up chopping it to cover.

15.2: Azmatullah Omarzai to Tim David, Short of a good length, on top of middle. Tim David stands tall and knocks it wide of deep mid-wicket for a run.

15.1: Azmatullah Omarzai to Venkatesh Iyer, Shortish delivery, at a gentle pace, outside off. Venkatesh Iyer arches back, gets on the toes and cuts it to deep point for a single.

STRATEGIC BREAK! The platform is nicely set for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru. This has not been as easy a pitch to bat on as the scorecard suggests, or as Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal made it look. The surface has been on the slower side, with the cutters gripping and holding up in the pitch. With Venkatesh Iyer also finding his rhythm after a scratchy start, it is all looking ominous for the Punjab Kings. Can they hold their own at the death, something they have struggled with this season? Tim David joins Venkatesh out in the middle. Azmatullah Omarzai to bowl after the break.

14.6: Yuzvendra Chahal to Virat Kohli, OUT! CAUGHT IN THE DEEP! Chahal strikes and strikes very big despite being carted all over the park. Gives the ball a decent flight and lands it full on the leg stump. Kohli steps out to whip it over deep mid-wicket, bringing the wrists into play. But this time, he cannot quite get the power or timing behind it, and it flies straight to deep mid-wicket. Priyansh Arya holds on without fuss. Another fine knock from Virat comes to an end. Royal Challengers Bengaluru are 157/3 after 15 overs.

14.5: Yuzvendra Chahal to Venkatesh Iyer, Pitched wide and fuller, outside off. Venkatesh Iyer throws his bat at it and slices it over backward point. Lockie Ferguson runs to his left and collects it on the bounce. They cross.

14.4: Yuzvendra Chahal to Venkatesh Iyer, SIX! A loosener and it gets the treatment! Full and tossed up on the leg stump at 87.6 kph. Iyer gets to the pitch of the ball, hits it through the line, sending it soaring over long on for a massive six.

14.3: Yuzvendra Chahal to Venkatesh Iyer, Swing and a miss! Dishes out a flat googly, on a length, outside off. Venkatesh Iyer tries to spank it through covers, but misses out.

14.2: Yuzvendra Chahal to Venkatesh Iyer, SIX! Fine hit! A juicy half volley from Chahal, on leg. Venkatesh Iyer picks the googly well, clears the front leg and blasts it high and handsome over deep mid-wicket for a big six. This brings up the 50-run partnership between this pair. 150 UP FOR RCB!

14.1: Yuzvendra Chahal to Virat Kohli, Very full, on off, Kohli drills it to long on for a single.

Yuzvendra Chahal returns to the attack. 2-0-28-0 so far for the leggie.

13.6: Harpreet Brar to Virat Kohli, In the air... but lands safely enough! Tossed up, outside off, on a fuller length. Virat Kohli makes room by moving leg side of the ball. Comes forward and chips it over mid on off the toe end. Luckily for him, the ball lands well in front of Cooper Connolly, who charges in off the ropes. One taken.

13.5: Harpreet Brar to Venkatesh Iyer, Not that short, outside off, Venkatesh slaps it to deep point for a single.

13.4: Harpreet Brar to Virat Kohli, Full, around off, gorgeously driven off the front foot to long off for a single.

13.3: Harpreet Brar to Venkatesh Iyer, Slips out a knee high full toss, on the pads. Venkatesh Iyer whips it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

13.2: Harpreet Brar to Venkatesh Iyer, FOUR! Not quite timed well, but still goes through! Overpitched by Brar, on the stumps. Iyer brings his wrists into play and flicks it over mid-wicket for a boundary. The ball just yorks the boundary cushions and trips over.

13.1: Harpreet Brar to Venkatesh Iyer, FOUR! PUNISHED! On a fuller length, on off. Venkatesh Iyer dances down the track, gets to the pitch of the ball and hammers it over the bowler for a boundary, to the right of long on.

Harpreet Brar (3-0-23-2) is back for his final over.

12.6: Lockie Ferguson to Virat Kohli, FOUR! Finds the gap once again! Slower bouncer by Ferguson, on top of middle. Virat Kohli waits back and nails the pull shot, along the ground and bisects the deep square leg and deep mid-wicket fielders perfectly to find the fence.

12.5: Lockie Ferguson to Venkatesh Iyer, Shortens the length, on leg, Venkatesh Iyer pulls it to the right of deep square leg for an easy run.

12.4: Lockie Ferguson to Virat Kohli, Slams the deck hard, angling in on middle and leg. Virat Kohli stays parked in the crease, plays off the back foot and steers it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

12.3: Lockie Ferguson to Venkatesh Iyer, Fuller in length, around leg. Whipped away to deep square leg for a single.

12.2: Lockie Ferguson to Venkatesh Iyer, FOUR! Misfield! Arshdeep Singh has made a complete mess of that and the fielding woes continue for PBKS. Way too full, around off. Venkatesh Iyer drills it away to mid off, but Arshdeep Singh gets down on his knee, and lets it through to the fence. 

12.1: Lockie Ferguson to Venkatesh Iyer, Full, pitched outside leg, Iyer tries to whip that off the pads, but misses and is slammed on the front pad.

A change in bowling as Lockie Ferguson is back. He went for 13 runs in his opening over.

11.6: Shashank Singh to Venkatesh Iyer, Slower bumper, wide outside off. Venkatesh Iyer hops on the toes to cut it over point, but fails to connect. It goes over his head and Prabhsimran Singh fails to stop it in one attempt. The ball parries to his left and they cross for a bye.

11.5: Shashank Singh to Virat Kohli, FIFTY FOR VIRAT KOHLI! His fourth half century this season to go with a century. He just continues to churn out runs for fun and the crowd is up on its feet, having their money's worth already. Overall, this is his 67th IPL fifty as well. He gets there in just 31 balls. On a good length, outside off, Kohli reaches out in front and works it to the long off region for a single. On a slowish track, he has gone about his business with absolute ease and is looking unbothered.

11.4: Shashank Singh to Venkatesh Iyer, Full and wide, dipping on the batter, just inside the tramline. Venkatesh Iyer frees his arms and carves it down to long off for a single.

11.3: Shashank Singh to Virat Kohli, Short and slow, on off, Kohli gets on top of the bounce and swats it along the ground to deep mid-wicket for a single.

11.2: Shashank Singh to Virat Kohli, Full and wide outside off, Kohli carves it to deep extra cover. Priyansh Arya runs to his right and cuts it off just before the ropes. Two taken and Kohli moves to 48 with that brace.

11.1: Shashank Singh to Virat Kohli, SIX! Geez, that's a surreal stroke! Fractionally fuller, on middle and leg. Virat Kohli plays the pick-up shot using his wrists, and despite a protection in the deep backward square leg region, he takes him on, clearing the fence for a six.

10.6: Yuzvendra Chahal to Venkatesh Iyer, FOUR! Puts it away this time. Chahal has a wry smile, with hands on his waist. Touch fuller and outside off. Venkatesh Iyer switches the stance and reverse sweeps it over cover-point for a boundary.

10.5: Yuzvendra Chahal to Venkatesh Iyer, Wide outside off, on a fuller length, a tad slower at 88.7 kph. Venkatesh Iyer premeditates to play the reverse sweep, but misses. It is called a fair delivery and Iyer looks a bit perplexed.

10.4: Yuzvendra Chahal to Virat Kohli, Short, on off, Kohli camps deep in the crease and pulls it to the right of long on for a single.

10.3: Yuzvendra Chahal to Venkatesh Iyer, Fuller in length, on middle, Venkatesh chips it over Chahal for a single.

10.2: Yuzvendra Chahal to Venkatesh Iyer, Well bowled! Pushed fuller with a googly. Venkatesh Iyer shimmies down the track and tries to push it away, but the ball zips past his outside edge and raps on the thigh pad. It rolls back to the bowler. 

10.1: Yuzvendra Chahal to Virat Kohli, Dropped short, on middle. Kohli heaves it off the back foot to deep mid-wicket for an easy run.

Halfway through the first innings. This has been a nice little phase for the Punjab Kings. They have conceded just 19 runs in the last 3 overs and have picked up Padikkal's wicket as well. Yuzvendra Chahal (1-0-21-0) is back on, replacing Azmatullah Omarzai.

9.6: Harpreet Brar to Venkatesh Iyer, Nice and tight, on a good length. Venkatesh steers it late, almost off the keeper's gloves but he can't get it past short third. Just 4 runs and a wicket from the over.

9.5: Harpreet Brar to Venkatesh Iyer, Angled away again, on the shorter side. Iyer punches it to cover.

9.4: Harpreet Brar to Venkatesh Iyer, Fuller than the previous ball, on off. Venkatesh rocks back and cuts it past backward point for a couple of runs.

9.3: Harpreet Brar to Virat Kohli, A bit short, on middle. Virat pulls it towards wide long on for one.

9.2: Harpreet Brar to Venkatesh Iyer, Full and on off, this is driven down the ground to mid off for a single by Venkatesh to open his account.

Important breakthrough for PBKS and it is Brar again who strikes gold. Venkatesh Iyer is the new batter in at number 4.

9.1: Harpreet Brar to Devdutt Padikkal, OUT! CAUGHT! Harpreet Brar strikes on his return to the attack. He is charged up as he lets out a big roar. From around the wicket, pushed across off, on a nagging length. Padikkal presses back to force it away on the off side. He is early into the stroke and spoons it straight to extra cover, where Shreyas Iyer makes no mistake and gobbles it up around his waist. The 76-run stand comes to an end.

So just one over for Shashank. He is replaced by Harpreet Brar (2-0-19-1).

8.6: Azmatullah Omarzai to Virat Kohli, A tidy over from Omarzai. Just 6 runs off it. Slower, short ball, on off. Kohli gets his hands high to steer it past short third but misses. Prabhsimran Singh had a shy at the batting end, thinking Virat was out of the crease but he did manage to hit the stumps.

8.5: Azmatullah Omarzai to Virat Kohli, Honing in on top of off, on a back of a length. Kohli dabs it straight to Harpreet Brar at backward point. Virat teases Brar by staying out of the crease after playing the shot but the latter resists the temptation and does not have a shy.

8.4: Azmatullah Omarzai to Virat Kohli, FOUR! Gets it away! This is on a nagging length, on middle. Kohli stays back in the crease and rolls his wrists over the ball to keep it along the ground. He swats it behind square leg and beats the fielder in the deep to his right.

8.3: Azmatullah Omarzai to Devdutt Padikkal, At the sticks, on a good length. Padikkal tucks it with soft hands in the vacant mid-wicket region and calls for two straight away but the fielder in the deep is quick to get to the ball and keeps the batters down to one.

8.2: Azmatullah Omarzai to Devdutt Padikkal, From around the wicket, Omarzai goes into the surface, outside off. Padikkal walks across for the pull but gets a bottom edge and the ball dribbles behind to the keeper.

8.1: Azmatullah Omarzai to Virat Kohli, Lands it on a good length, outside off. Kohli hits it on the rise to long off. Just a single.

Will Chahal continue? Nope. Azmatullah Omarzai (1-0-13-0) returns into the attack. 

7.6: Shashank Singh to Devdutt Padikkal, Good change-up by Shashank. Pace taken off and dug in short, on off. Padikkal thinks about going after it but then lets it go. The ball bounces in front of the keeper, Prabhsimran Singh, but he manages to get his body behind the ball. The ball deflects off his pads to short third.

7.5: Shashank Singh to Devdutt Padikkal, FOUR! Excellent use of the angle. A bit too short and width offered by Shashank. Padikkal cashes in as he plays it late to pick the gap and glides it with an open bat face between short third and backward point for a four.

7.4: Shashank Singh to Devdutt Padikkal, Drags the length back, going away. Padikkal makes use of the angle and cuts it to the right of deep point for a couple of runs.

7.3: Shashank Singh to Virat Kohli, Keeps the stumps in play, fuller in length. Kohli checks his drive and it goes uppishly but through the vacant mid on region for one.

7.2: Shashank Singh to Devdutt Padikkal, Across off, on a back of a length. DDP pulls it through square leg and gets to the other end.

7.1: Shashank Singh to Virat Kohli, Slanting into the right-hander, on a good length. Kohli works it to long on for a single.

STRATEGIC BREAK​​​​​​! PBKS are under the pump as RCB are literally motoring away right now. And that extra ball made an already costly over even more expensive for Chahal. Kohli and Padikkal have already added 61 runs together in a super-quick time and are looking unstoppable with the way they are going about their business. It is Padikkal who has taken the aggressive route, but Kohli hasn't spared the looseners either. The Kings will be desperate to break this partnership and slow things down a bit. And okay, a surprising call from Shreyas. Shashank Singh is into the attack after the break. Can he be the golden arm PBKS need? We will find out.

6.6: Yuzvendra Chahal to Devdutt Padikkal, SIX! Devdutt Padikkal takes full toll. Chahal stays over the wicket and tries to fire it in, full and on leg. Padikkal is able to get under the ball. He clears the front leg and pumps it over long on for half a dozen. Punjab's ace spinner goes for 21 runs in his first over.

6.6: Yuzvendra Chahal to Virat Kohli, NO BALL! Floated up, full and on off. Kohli extends his hands and creams the drive to wide long off for a single. Oh, the siren has gone off. A cardinal sin for a spinner to overstep. This is the 4th No Ball of the season for Chahal, according to Danny Morrison on air. Free Hit coming up.

6.5: Yuzvendra Chahal to Virat Kohli, FOUR! In the gap! The 50-run stand comes up. Fractionally short, on off. A bit slower through the air and it grips a bit in the surface. Kohli goes on the back foot and pulls it to the right of long on for a boundary.

6.4: Yuzvendra Chahal to Devdutt Padikkal, Drops it short at 90.2 kph, on middle and leg. DDP wrists it to deep mid-wicket for one more.

6.3: Yuzvendra Chahal to Virat Kohli, Drifting in at the pads, very full. Kohli knocks it to long on and rotates the strike.

6.2: Yuzvendra Chahal to Devdutt Padikkal, Shorter and flatter, on off. Padikkal cuts it to backward point, where a misfield allows a single.

6.1: Yuzvendra Chahal to Devdutt Padikkal, SIX! Chahal is welcomed with a biggie. Begins with a flighted delivery, full and on middle. Padikkal dances down the track in a flash and gets to the pitch of the ball. He holds his shape and launches it over the sight screen.

That's the end of the Powerplay. RCB, despite losing Bethell, have steadied nicely through Kohli and Padikkal. The pitch looks really good to bat on, just with the odd one staying touch low. And it's Yuzvendra Chahal's time to roll his arm over now.

5.6: Arshdeep Singh to Devdutt Padikkal, On the shorter side, on middle. Padikkal shovels it square on the leg side and retains the strike with a single. A 12-run over to end the Powerplay. After 6 overs, RCB are 61/1.

5.5: Arshdeep Singh to Devdutt Padikkal, FOUR! Nicely done! Not much wrong with the ball, if anything, a bit wide. Bowled on a good length, just outside the off stump. Padikkal waits on the back foot and cuts it late to thread the gap between short third and backward point.

5.4: Arshdeep Singh to Virat Kohli, Bangs it in short, over off. Virat swivels and climbs onto the pull. Hits it all along the ground towards deep square leg, where Suryansh Shedge is swift to his left and tidies up. Just a single.

5.3: Arshdeep Singh to Devdutt Padikkal, Hits the back of a length, on off. It keeps a bit low and DDP pulls it through square leg for a run.

5.2: Arshdeep Singh to Virat Kohli, Around off, on a good length, Kohli taps it to the right of mid off and crosses over.

5.1: Arshdeep Singh to Virat Kohli, FOUR! Just wide! Full and going across off, Kohli brings his wrists into play to whip it away. The bat turns in his hand and it goes off the inner half of the bat. Cooper Connolly at mid-wicket moves to his right and flings himself towards the ball whilst stretching his right hand out, but the ball evades him. The 50 comes up for RCB.

Arshdeep Singh is back with a change of ends.

4.6: Harpreet Brar to Virat Kohli, Fuller and on the off stump, Virat Kohli lunges ahead and drives it neatly through mid off for an easy run.

4.5: Harpreet Brar to Devdutt Padikkal, Drags the length back, on leg. Devdutt Padikkal whips it by getting deep in the crease to deep square leg's right for a single.

4.4: Harpreet Brar to Virat Kohli, Too full, in front of the sticks, Kohli clips it along the ground through mid-wicket. Lockie Ferguson from mid on gets to his right and stops it. One taken.

4.3: Harpreet Brar to Devdutt Padikkal, Pitched short and drifting on middle and leg. Devdutt pulls off the back foot to deep square leg for a run.

4.2: Harpreet Brar to Devdutt Padikkal, Much better. A lot straighter on middle, full in length. Padikkal opts to defend off the back foot right under his blade.

4.2: Harpreet Brar to Devdutt Padikkal, WIDE! Fired way down leg, on a fuller length. Devdutt sits down to sweep, but misses.

4.1: Harpreet Brar to Devdutt Padikkal, FOUR! My word, that's so nicely placed! Just slightly short on middle. Devdutt Padikkal backs away to make room for himself and cuts it between the backward point and cover-point fielders for a boundary.

3.6: Lockie Ferguson to Virat Kohli, Length-delivery, outside the off stump. Virat rides the bounce, prepares to play the back foot punch through the gap, but hits it off the inner half and it rolls straight to the cover fielder. 13 runs from Lockie's first over, then.

3.5: Lockie Ferguson to Devdutt Padikkal, Rising up from a length, on leg, Padikkal tucks it into the leg side with soft hands for a run.

3.4: Lockie Ferguson to Devdutt Padikkal, Nearly dragged on! Spears one on a length, slanted across off. Padikkal tries to slap it through the covers but gets an inside edge onto the pads before the ball rolls on the strip. The replay shows that Virat charged forward but slipped. He was quick to get back up and retreat.

3.3: Lockie Ferguson to Devdutt Padikkal, FOUR! Pure timing! Hits the deck hard, does Lockie. On the pads, too straight and Devdutt Padikkal whips it off the back foot to deep backward square leg for a boundary.

3.3: Lockie Ferguson to Devdutt Padikkal, WIDE! Misses the radar a bit. Short of a length, but down leg. Devdutt Padikkal gets inside the line but misses to whip that away. Wide called.

3.2: Lockie Ferguson to Virat Kohli, Had to hurry! Serves it up there, full and wide on off. Virat Kohli looks to drive it straight down the ground, but the nips back in off the pitch and rolls off the inner half of the bat to mid on. Kohli and Padikkal are both alert enough to pinch in a single. Kohli brings up 500 runs for the season.

3.1: Lockie Ferguson to Virat Kohli, SIX! Nonchalantly played by Kohli! Ferguson starts with a full delivery, on middle. Virat Kohli uses his wrists, gets under the ball and effortlessly flicks it for a 72-meter six behind deep mid-wicket.

Will Azmatullah Omarzai continue? The answer is no. Lockie Ferguson replaces him.

2.6: Harpreet Brar to Devdutt Padikkal, BEATEN! Absolutely outfoxed him. Quicker through the air, and not too short, outside off. It lands, skids through and hurries Devdutt on the back foot. Padikkal hangs his bat away from the body and is beaten all ends up.

2.5: Harpreet Brar to Devdutt Padikkal, Touch short, outside off, DDP pushes it off the back foot to cover-point.

2.4: Harpreet Brar to Devdutt Padikkal, Short and on off, that is punched off the back foot, but straight to cover.

2.3: Harpreet Brar to Devdutt Padikkal, SIX! Well, that's some way to get the first runs. Dropped into the slot, around off. Devdutt Padikkal taps the front foot to the leg side of the ball with a decent stride and tonks it over wide long off for a six.

One left-hander replaces the other. Here is Devdutt Padikkal.

2.2: Harpreet Brar to Jacob Bethell, OUT! CHOPPED ON! Another low score for Bethell. A big roar from Brar, and he also gives a bit of a send-off to Jacob. Harpreet switches to over the stumps and lands it outside off, on a slightly shorter length. It grips and spins back in. Jacob Bethell goes deep inside the crease to play the late cut, but gets a thick inside edge back onto the stumps behind. He throws his head back in disappointment as he walks back. RCB are 21/1 after 2.2 overs.

2.1: Harpreet Brar to Jacob Bethell, FOUR! Through the gap! A bit of width on offer, on a shorter length. Jacob Bethell backs away to make room and cuts it precisely between the narrow gap at cover-point and backward point for a boundary.

Just one over then for Arshdeep Singh in his opening spell. An early look at spin as Harpreet Brar comes on.

1.6: Azmatullah Omarzai to Jacob Bethell, Nagging length, closer to the off pole, at 123.2 kph. Bethell chops it to short third for a single.

1.5: Azmatullah Omarzai to Jacob Bethell, Just short! Fuller ball from Omarzai, angled in at the stumps. Jacob Bethell does not quite get to the pitch of the ball and looks to loft it down the ground, but plays off the inner half of the bat. Chips it towards mid on and the ball dips on Arshdeep Singh, who dives forward, but his fingers get yorked by the ball.

1.4: Azmatullah Omarzai to Jacob Bethell, FOUR! Streaky, but runs are runs! From around the stump. Pitched around off, on a good length and stays quiet low on bounce. Jacob Bethell's feet go nowhere and tries to punch it away from the crease, but gets a thick inside edge as the ball rolls past the stumps and races away to the deep fine leg fence.

1.3: Azmatullah Omarzai to Virat Kohli, Hard length, around off, Kohli hangs back and dabs it to the short third region and hustles for a single.

1.3: Azmatullah Omarzai to Virat Kohli, WIDE! Oh, dear! That's a big wide. Far outside off, shaping outside the tramline. Might have slipped out of Azmat's hand. Virat leaves.

1.2: Azmatullah Omarzai to Virat Kohli, SIX! Picture perfect, just like the snowcapped mountains! Full in length, swinging away, wide outside off. Virat Kohli gets on the front foot, hits it through the line and launches it over the cover region. Despite his bat turning at the point of contact, it has enough wheels to clear the deep cover fence. 

1.1: Azmatullah Omarzai to Virat Kohli, Beaten! Shapes away from a good length, at 137.2 kph, outside off. Virat Kohli goes fishing at it, trying to loft it down the ground, but the ball leaves him and zips past the outside edge.

Azmatullah Omarzai will operate from the other end. Not a lot of swing for Arshdeep Singh in the first over, but can Omarzai find some movement?

0.6: Arshdeep Singh to Virat Kohli, Very tidy from Arshdeep! Slams the deck hard, on middle and leg. Kohli plays off the back foot and wrists it to the right of the mid-wicket fielder for an easy single. Just 4 runs from the opening over.

0.5: Arshdeep Singh to Jacob Bethell, Pushed on the pads, fuller in length. Jacob steers it to the square leg region. The mid-wicket fielder rushes to his left to mop it up at the edge of the circle. One taken.

0.4: Arshdeep Singh to Virat Kohli, Short of a length, nipping back in slightly at 137.9 kph. Virat Kohli shapes up to pull, but gets an inside edge on the thigh pad. The ball deflects away to cover-point and they cross over. Kohli opens his account.

0.3: Arshdeep Singh to Virat Kohli, Back of a length, stump-to-stump from Arshdeep. Virat Kohli watchfully bunts it down the pitch.

0.2: Arshdeep Singh to Virat Kohli, Just a bit of extra bounce, short and across off. Virat Kohli plays with soft hands by hanging back and guides it on the bounce to the short third fielder.

0.1: Arshdeep Singh to Jacob Bethell, RCB and Bethell are underway! Nice and gentle away shape from off, on a length. Jacob Bethell presses in front and dabs it to the backward point region for a single to get off the mark.

We are all set to get going. As always, the ground is looking an absolute picture, even more so in the daytime with the hills providing a stunning backdrop. Shreyas Iyer leads his troops out onto the park in his 100th game as an IPL captain. It will be the left-hand, right-hand combination of Jacob Bethell and Virat Kohli to open the innings for RCB. Arshdeep Singh will kick things off with the new ball. Arshdeep to Bethell. A slip in place. Here we go!

Impact sub options for RCB - Rasikh Salam, Jordan Cox, Abhinandan Singh, Swapnil Singh and Kanishk Chouhan.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (Playing XI) - Jacob Bethell, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Venkatesh Iyer, Jitesh Sharma (C/WK), Tim David, Romario Shepherd (In for Jacob Duffy), Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Suyash Sharma (In for Rajat Patidar) and Josh Hazlewood.

Impact sub options for PBKS - Marcus Stoinis, Xavier Bartlett, Vishnu Vinod, Musheer Khan and Praveen Dubey.

Punjab Kings (Playing XI) - Prabhsimran Singh (WK), Priyansh Arya, Shreyas Iyer (C), Cooper Connolly, Suryansh Shedge, Shashank Singh, Azmatullah Omarzai, Harpreet Brar (In for Marco Jansen), Lockie Ferguson (In for Xavier Bartlett), Arshdeep Singh and Yuzvendra Chahal.

The captain of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru - Jitesh Sharma says that RCB would have bowled first as well, adding that he does not expect the wicket to change much through the course of the game. He also mentions that Rajat Patidar is doing fantastic and hopes that he returns for the next game in Hyderabad. Sharma mentions that every game is important at this stage of the tournament and that this win could change a lot, both for RCB and the other teams in the race. He also confirms two changes to the side, with Suyash Sharma replacing Rajat Patidar and Romario Shepherd coming in for Jacob Duffy.

The captain of the Punjab Kings - Shreyas Iyer, when asked whether bowling first is an advantage, given that it is an afternoon game, stresses believing in their skills, and it doesn't matter whether they are bowling or batting first. When asked how special it is to be leading an IPL team for the 100th time, Shreyas admits that he really didn't know about this stat. He adds it is all about execution, that they have been bowling fantastically, and that in pressure moments, you have to execute. He says you cannot change the past, and you have to stay in the moment and embrace it. On the team changes, he informs that Harpreet Brar and Lockie Ferguson come into the side for this match.