New Delhi: Virat Kohli returned to form with a 54-ball 73 as Royal Challengers Bangalore defeated Gujarat Titans by eight wickets in their final league match to stay alive in the IPL play-off race here on Thursday.


Chasing 169, Kohli, who struck eight boundaries and two sixes, and captain Faf du Plessis (44) laid the foundation with a 115-run stand. Glenn Maxwell (40 not out off 18) provided the finishing touches as RCB romped home with eight balls remaining.






Earlier, skipper Hardik Pandya hit a unbeaten 62 to help GT post 168 for 5.


READ | 'Not Finding Any Self-Worth Or Value...': Virat Kohli Speaks On Dip In Form In IPL


Besides Hardik, David Miller (34) and Wriddhiman Saha (31) also made useful contributions with the bat.


Choosing to bat first, Wriddhiman Saha continued his purple patch in power-play, by scoring three boundaries and a six in the first two overs, including taking 14 runs in the opening over off Siddarth Kaul.


However, Bangalore made inroads as Maxwell took a one-handed screamer, diving full-length to his right to send Shubman Gill back to the pavilion off Hazlewood.


Brief Scores:


Gujarat Titans: 168 for 5 in 20 overs (Hardik Pandya 62 not out; Josh Hazzlewood 2/39).


READ | Match-fixing Racket Allegedly Influenced Outcome Of IPL Matches Based On Inputs From Pakistan; 3 Booked


Royal Challengers Bangalore: 170 for 2 in 19.2 overs (Virat Kohli 73; Glenn Maxwell 40 not out; Rashid Khan 2/32).