RCB vs PBKS IPL 2024: King Kohli’s 77 and Dinesh Karthik’s 28 propel RCB to victory against PBKS by 4 wickets

King Kohli's sublime 77 and Dinesh Karthik's quickfire 28, unleashed within a mere 10 balls, steered RCB to a thrilling victory over PBKS by 4 wickets.

RCB's skipper, Faf du Plessis, won the toss and opted to field first. Punjab Kings, as they began to bat, faced an early setback as opener Jonny Bairstow fell to Mohammed Siraj. Despite efforts from captain Shikhar Dhawan, RCB managed to maintain control over the batting lineup, applying pressure in the initial 10 overs. Consequently, Punjab Kings set a chase target of 177 runs for RCB. Punjab Kings had secured victory in their first match against DC by four wickets.

In the chase, Virat Kohli spearheaded RCB's innings with a blazing start, breezing past his 51st IPL half-century and marking his 100th 50-plus score in T20 cricket in just 31 balls. Kohli's onslaught included consecutive boundaries off Harshal Patel, propelling his personal score to 75 runs with RCB at 127/4 in 15.4 overs. However, Harshal Patel struck back immediately after, claiming the vital wicket of Kohli for 78 runs in the sixteenth over, but RCB persisted in their pursuit of 177 against PBKS.

RCB continued their electrifying performance even after dismissal of Kohli and subsequent batsmen,  Dinesh Karthik’s skillful and startling batting scoring 28 in just 10 balls with 2 sixes and 3 fours ultimately led RCB to a thumping victory.

RCB had stumbled in their IPL 2024 debut match against defending champions Chennai Super Kings, succumbing to a six-wicket defeat.