Punjab Kings beat Royal Challengers Bangalore by five wickets in the third game of IPL 2022 at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. The Kings, led by Mayank Agarwal, decided to bowl first after winning the toss. Batting first, RCB put up a competitive score of 205 runs in their 20 overs. New Captain Faf du Plessis was the showstopper with a 57-ball 88 that was laced with three boundaries and seven maximums. Former captain Virat Kohli and new recruit Dinesh Karthik remained unbeaten on 41 and 32 respectively. Karthik, in particular, was impressive with a strike rate of more than 228.
While 206 appeared to be a difficult chase, Punjab chased down the target with an over to spare. Odean Smith played a blinder of an innings in the death overs – 25* off just eight balls – to help Punjab wrap up the chase quickly. Smith’s knock was laced with three sixes and a boundary and it came at a strike rate of 312.50.
Earlier, openers Mayank Agarwal and Shikhar Dhawan laid a solid foundation for the remaining batsmen by sharing 71 runs for the first wicket. Wicketkeeper Bhanuka Rajapaksa, batting at number three, scored a quickfire 43 off 22, while Liam Livingstone, Punjab’s costliest buy in the auction, chipped in with a 10-ball 19.
Punjab’s bowling was not up to the mark, but their batsmen put up a combined effort to chase down a difficult target. For RCB, Mohammed Siraj picked up two wickets, while Akash Deep, Wanindu Hasaranga and Harshal Patel chipped in with one each.
Although du Plessis was in ominous form with the bat, he will be unhappy about his side starting the 2022 campaign with a loss. Mayank Agarwal, on the other hand, will be happy about winning his first game as Punjab’s captain.
Image Credit: IPL
