New Delhi: Virat Kohli-led Royal Challengers Bangalore on Sunday confirmed a spot for themselves in IPL 2021 playoffs by defeating Punjab Kings by 6 runs on Sunday at Sharjah.
Batting first, Bangalore scored 164 runs for loss of 7 wickets in their allotted 20 overs, thanks to the remarkable innings from all-rounder Glenn Maxwell (57). Despite a hard-fought fifty from Mayank Agarwal (57), Punjab Kings could only manage 158/6 in 20 overs.
After win over Punjab, Bangalore has now become the third team to qualify for IPL 14 playoffs. RCB have now joined 3-time IPL winners Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals in the list of teams that have qualified for playoffs with 18 points each.
Royal Challengers Bangalore, with 8 wins in 12 matches, now have a total of 16 points. On the other hand, Punjab today lost their 8th match and is now at number 5 in IPL Points Table. Now it has become extremely tough for the KL Rahul-led side to reach the playoffs.
For Royal Challengers Bangalore, star spinner Yuzvendra Chahal was the pick of bowlers. He picked three wickets for 29 runs in 4 overs. George Garten and Shahbaz Ahmed picked 1 wicket apiece.
Royal Challengers Bangalore playing XI: Virat Kohli (c), Devdutt Padikkal, Srikar Bharat (wk), Glenn Maxwell, AB de Villiers, Daniel Christian, George Garton, Shahbaz Ahmed, Harshal Patel, Mohammed Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal
Punjab Kings playing XI: KL Rahul (c & wk), Mayank Agarwal, Aiden Markram, Nicholas Pooran, Sarfaraz Khan, Shahrukh Khan, Moises Henriques, Harpreet Brar, Mohamm