In this match 8 of IPL 2018, Royal Challengers Bangalore go up against Kings XI Punjab at the very welcoming Chinnaswamy Stadium. It’s a new start for Kohli & Co. at home, with their most-balanced squad and a defeat is bound to rankle, given their false start in Kolkata a few days ago. KXIP will be looking to continue their winning form. See how AB de Villiers take the team to victory.
Build Up To The Match
KL Rahul of KXIP will be looking to continue the form that he showed against Delhi. Kohli will look to get the first victory of their season to keep up to the top 4. KL Rahul, Karun Nair and Mayank Agarwal to their home ground in opposition colors. Also wearing a different shade of red today is Chris Gayle – the darling of RCB for six years.
RCB Elect To Bowl With An Unchanged Side
The Bangalore team won the toss and elected to bowl. They go with an unchanged side whereas KXIP make one change to their team as they bring in Aaron Finch to replace David Miller.
Kings XI Punjab’s Batting
KXIP got to a flying start. The pitch looked good as Punjab batsmen hit Umesh for 25 in 2 overs. But they lost 3 wickets in a flurry. KL Rahul continued to make merry. Rahul lost his wicket to Washington Sundar who departed for 47 in 30 balls. From that point onwards it was just downhill for the team from Punjab. After that start, KXIP lost all 10 wickets for a nominal 155. The target obviously is a small one on this paradise for batsmen.
RCB’s Bowling
On this batting surface, it would be difficult for the bowlers to dominate. Not the case for RCB. All of their bowlers got wickets. Umesh Yadav who led the attack by getting 3 wickets in a flurry. He ended with figures of 3-23. Washington Sundar also played a crucial role as he gave away just 22 runs in his 4 overs and grabbed a couple of important wickets as well. It was RCB’s bowling that dominated and restricted KXIP to a mere 155 on this flat track.
Bangalore’s Batting
McCullum bagged a golden duck as he gave away his wicket to Axar Patel. Virat Kohli who looked great for his short time at the pitch. He scored 21 in 16 balls but ended up getting bowled by Mujeeb. Two South Africans reunited at the crease as AB came to the crease to join Quinton de Kock. The two South Africans tried to steady the ship and take RCB to victory. But de Kock lost his wicket to Ashwin after scoring 45 in 34 balls hitting 7 boundaries. AB scored a half-century to help his team to victory. RCB got their first victory of IPL 2018.
KXIP’s Bowling
Axar had a mixed bag of first over as he gave 10 runs but got the important wicket of Brendon McCullum. Mujeeb got the important wicket of Virat Kohli who looked good for his time on the crease. Mujeeb ended with great figures of 1- 29. Ashwin got two quick wickets to raise some hopes for his team. Despite captain’s best efforts the target set by KXIP was just too low to defend as Kings XI Punjab lost their first match. Ashwin ended his spell with figures of 2-30 in four overs.
Man Of The Match
It was Umesh Yadav’s 3-23 that restricted KXIP to a low total. His fast bowling helped the team to get their first victory of the season. Click here to see how match 7 of IPL 2018 folded as SRH won a last ball thriller.