PBKS vs RCB, Match Highlights: Faf du Plessis, Virat Kohli & Mohammed Siraj Stand Out Performers In Bangalore's Victory

IPL 2023, PBKS vs RCB: Bangalore beat Punjab by 24 runs to taste their third win in six games.

Mohammed Siraj was in superb form and not only scalped 2 wickets with the new ball but returned to pick two more at the death to finish with 4 for 21. ( Image Source :IPLT20/BCCI )

Royal Challengers Bangalore have registered a 24-run win over the Punjab Kings at the Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali in the first of two IPL 2023 clashes on Thursday. After being asked to bat first, Bangalore had first posted 174/4 before restricting Punjab to just 150.

Notably, Bangalore openers Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis had helped RCB off to a splendid start with Bangalore 108/0 in 13 overs at one stage. However, the Punjab bowlers came back brilliantly to not allow other than their openers, each of whom scored half-centuries, to even touch the double-figure mark.

While Kohli departed for 59 off 47, Du Plessis, who only batted in the match scored 84 off 56, before being subbed off in the second innings. With Bangalore already aware of the South African's rib injury, they had named Kohli as the skipper of the team on Thursday.

Punjab, meanwhile, continued to be without the services of their regular captain Shikhar Dhawan and never looked comfortable in the run-chase, losing 4 wickets inside the powerplay alone. Wicketkeeper batter Jitesh Sharma's blows lower down the order did ignite some hopes of a turnaround but the Bangalore total proved to be out of reach of the Punjab batters on the day. Earlier, Prabhsimran Singh (46 off 30) had also looked in great nick but found no support in the initial half of the PBKS chase.

Mohammed Siraj was in superb form in this game and not only scalped 2 wickets with the new ball but returned to pick two more at the death to finish with 4 for 21. Apart from Siraj, Wanindu Hasaranga was also impressive as he scalped 2 wickets for 39 runs. Wayne Parnell and Harshal Patel were the other wicket-takers, with the latter taking the last Punjab wicket to fall.

Earlier, Harpreet Brar's (2/31) two wickets in a single over changed things for Punjab with the ball after a 137-run opening stand for Bangalore. However, despite keeping Bangalore down to a chasable total, they made a mess of their run chase.