IPL 2021, PBKS vs RCB: Harpreet Brar, KL Rahul ensure big win for Punjab Kings over Royal Challengers Bangalore | Cricket News – Times of India

Left-arm spinner Harpreet Brar‘s first outing in the 2021 IPL turned out to be a fairytale. His brisk cameo with the bat backed by the triple strikes with the ball helped Punjab Kings record a morale boosting 34-run win over Royal Challengers Bangalore in Ahmedabad on Friday.
Not to forget skipper KL Rahul, who earlier led from the front with a classy 91 to propel Punjab to a challenging 179 for 5 after being put in to bat at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
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But it was one of those few evenings when everything Harpreet touched, turned into gold. Brar broke the backbone of the Royal Challengers Bangalore batting with the prized scalps of Virat Kohli (35), Glenn Maxwell (0) and AB de Villiers (3), to spearhead Punjab’s recovery. Brar was ably supported by leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi, who nearly clinched a hat-trick before returning figures of 2/17.

RCB’s hunt for 180 began on a messy note, with Devdutt Padikkal (7) departing cheaply, but Kohli and Rajat Patidar (31) stabilized RCB’s innings with a sluggish 43-run second wicket stand before Harpreet’s introduction changed the course of the match. Brar crashed through the defences of Kohli and Glenn Maxwell off consecutive deliveries to help Punjab roar back.

An unknown entity for Ab de Villiers, the Moga boy used that to his advantage with a short of a length delivery to ensure the South African doesn’t damage his good work. Towards the end, Harshal Patel (31 off 13) and Kyle Jamieson (16 not out) muscled a few over the fence, even as Riley Meredith limped off the field after being struck on his knee.

Earlier, KL took calculated risks to ensure Punjab got off to a sound start even as Chris Gayle outscored him with some attractive strokeplay. Despite losing his partners at the other end, the captain stood like a rock, smoking seven fours and five mammoth sixes during his 57-ball knock.
With Gayle going all out, Rahul preferred to play second fiddle before opening up with a six over midwicket off Chahal. Another one off Daniel Sams landed in the RCB dugout. However, Sams managed to pull the Punjab Kings back with the wicket of Gayle, four shy of a magnificent half-century.