Dharamsala: A classic 47-ball 92 by Virat Kohli and Rajat Patidar’s breezy fifty powered Royal Challengers Bengaluru to 241/7 against Punjab Kings in a rain-interrupted IPL match here Thursday.
The butterfingered Punjab fielders were guilty of dropping catches as Kohli and Patidar capitalised on the reprieves to put on 72 off 32 balls after they were invited to bat.
Kohli, who was dropped on 0 and 10, made PBKS pay as he timed the ball nicely, used his feet and wrists to bring up his sixth IPL fifty this season.
Patidar, who was also given two lives, provided the early momentum as he slammed six maximums and three fours during his 23-ball 55.
Kohli and Cameron Green (46 off 27 balls) continued the onslaught, adding 92 runs off 46 balls to take RCB across the 200-mark.
Green hit five fours and a six before being caught in the final ball of the innings as RCB scored 77 in last five overs.
Pacer Vidhwath Kaverappa (2/36) picked up two wickets in the powerplay on his IPL debut but his figures could have been much better had the fielders not dropped three catches off his bowling.
Kohli was dropped in the third ball but Kaverappa dismissed Faf du Plessis (9) in his second over to give Punjab the first breakthrough. The IPL debutant could have had Kohli again had Rilee Rossouw held on to a screamer.
PBKS, however, couldn’t create pressure as Sam Curran (1/50) conceded 16 runs, which included two fours and a six, with Will Jacks doing the maximum damage.
Kohli smashed Kaverappa for a six over long-off, but the bowler removed Jacks at the other end, with Harshal Patel (3/38) taking the catch for his second wicket.
Patel, however, dropped Patidar and then conceded three boundaries while bowling as RCB scored 56 in the powerplay.
It started raining sixes thereafter as Kohli and Patidar slammed a maximum each to spoil Kaverappa’s bowling figures.
Patidar then creamed spinner Rahul Chahar for three mighty maximums before depositing Arshdeep and Sam Curran for two more sixes, the last one bringing up his fifty in 21 balls.
PTI
