Kings XI thrash RCB by 8 wickets to continue winning run in IPL

Photo: AFP New Delhi: Kings XI Punjab continued their winning run by cruising to an eight wicket win over Royal Challengers Bangalore despite fireworks from AB de Villiers.  Kings XI knocked off the paltry target of 148 in just 14.2 overs courtesy a brilliant half-century by Hashim Amla and a 43 run whirlwind by captain Glenn Maxwell. In pursuit of the target Kings XI got off to an ideal start through Hashim Amla and Manan Vohra (34). The duo raced to 50 plus inside 5 overs which dashed all hopes of RCB. When RCB finally managed to break the opening stand for 64 Punjab had already gone ahead of the game the game. An in-form Glenn Maxwell then added to the misery of the Punjab bowlers by hitting 4 sixes and 3 boundaries en route to a 22 ball 43 run innings. The architect of the chase was however, Hashim Amla who scored at a strike rate of 152.63. Quite uncharacteristically Amla hit 3 big sixes to complete a fine half century. He remained unbeaten on 58 off 38 balls. Earlier, electing to bat first RCB faced a disciplined Punjab bowling attack, led by Axar Patel (1/14) and Varun Aaron (2/21) who stifled the batsmen. If it wasn’t for an amazing innings by AB de Villiers, who single handedly took charge of the innings, RCB would not have managed to set the target of 149 for the hosts. AB de Villiers smashed a 46-ball 89-run unconquered innings laced with as many as nine sixes and three fours to single-handedly take RCB to 148-4 after they were reduced to 22-3 in 5 overs.