Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) has managed to stay alive in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. The victory over Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the 58th match of the tournament has revived fans’ hopes that their team can still reach the top 4.
The Punjab Kings (PBKS) hosted the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium (HPCA) in Dharamsala. The game between the two teams, which was also a virtual elimination game, took place on Thursday (May 9).
Royal Challengers Bengaluru were asked to bat first and it was a sensational outing for them. Although Faf du Plessis (9) and Will Jacks (12) lost their wickets early, it was Virat Kohli’s show with the bat at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association stadium in Dharamsala as he showed his class with the bat.
Rajat Patidar (55) also hit a brutal half-century that put the Punjab Kings under pressure. Along with Kohli, he added 76 runs and got the team out of trouble when they had two early wickets. After this, Cameron Green joined Kohli and the duo caused more carnage.
Virat Kohli scored 92 runs while Green ended with an innings of 46 runs. Owing to their great performance with the bat, Royal Challengers Bengaluru registered a mammoth total of 241 runs on the board at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala.
The Punjab Kings started their fightback quite well, even though they lost Prabhsimran Singh early on. Jonny Bairstow (27) and Rilee Rossouw (61) kept their team in the hunt. After that, Shashank Singh (37) played important innings but none of them could play a big hand.
The Royal Challengers Bengaluru bowlers overran the Punjab Kings batters and bundled them out for 181 runs to win the game by 60 points. With the win, they stayed alive in the Indian Premier League and knocked opponents out of the tournament.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru qualification scenario for IPL 2024 playoffs
The win against the Punjab Kings was their fifth win in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. With the win, they consolidated their seventh position in the points table with 10 points to their name. Also, they increased their NRR to +0.217, which could be useful for them in the future.
To make it to the playoffs, Royal Challengers Bengaluru need to win their next two matches of IPL 2024. If they succeed, they will score 14 points, which could prove to be a qualifying point.
But the path is not easy for them, because apart from winning the next two games, they still need more results to go their way. To qualify, they want Delhi Capitals Chennai Super Kings and Lucknow Super Giants, who also have 12 points, to lose their games.
If Lucknow Super Giants and Delhi Capitals lose one of their remaining games and Chennai Super Kings lose their two games, it will mean four teams are level on 14 points. Since RCB has a positive NRR, it could enable them to compete against other teams and qualify for the playoffs.