KXIP vs RCB IPL 2019 report: ABD, Kohli end RCB’s losing streak

Finally it happened! RCB won a game in IPL 2019. After six straight defeats, RCB managed to win a game and it happened courtesy of their two biggest stars delivering when it mattered the most. Virat Kohli set up the win with a brilliant 67 off 53 balls while AB de Villiers provided the finish with unbeaten 59.

Meanwhile Chris Gayle’s resilient knock of 99 runs off 64 balls went in vain as Punjab’s total of 173 was gunned down by RCB in the 20th over with eight wickets in hand.

A victory to cherish for the @RCBTweets here in Mohali ?? pic.twitter.com/vdUitnvd4R

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 13, 2019

Kohli, ABD step up for Bangalore 

It was evident that the onus of chasing the target of 174 was on the shoulders of Kohli and ABD and both men batted with determination.

Parthiv Patel scored a quickfire 19 off nine balls to exploit the Powerplays and then Kohli and ABD added 85 runs for the second wicket. With the pitch not supporting big hits both the batsmen had to apply themselves to keep the scoring rate in check.

During their stay of 70 balls the duo scored just eight boundaries, all fours but still managed to keep the run-rate above 8. This indicated the brilliance and the ability of these two modern day legends.

However Kohli departed in the 16th over with RCB still 46 runs away from win and then a  quiet over from Ashwin created tension as the equation jumped to 38 off 18 balls.

A victory at Mohali as @RCBTweets register their first win of the #VIVOIPL 2019 season ?? pic.twitter.com/yESiuz1KAl

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 13, 2019

Stoinis, ABD keept it calm amidst drama 

But Marcus Stonis hammered back to back fours against Andrew Tye in the 18th over and ABD slammed a six to make it a 20 run over. And then de Villiers produced another six on the last ball of the 19th over to give RCB the edge.

Stoinis (28 off 16 balls) then completed the proceedings in the 20th over to register Bangalore’s first win in Indian Premier League season 12.

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Gayle’s solo show for Punjab

Our key performer for the @lionsdenkxip innings is @henrygayle for his fantastic knock of 99* ??⚡️ pic.twitter.com/jpaLqgM4YP

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 13, 2019

Earlier in the evening, Gayle’s unbeaten 99 runs off 64 balls was the only highlight of Punjab’s rather dismal performance. The second best score in the team was 18 from Mandeep Singh and KL Rahul as all batsmen struggled to get their timing going.

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But Gayle tonked a few biggies in the death overs and pushed Punjab to a respectable total which eventually turned out to be a little short against the Kohli-ABD magic.