Editorial Staff
RCB could only make up 166/9 in 20 overs while chasing a great score of 198/8 built by KXIP in this Friday’s Bangalore IPL match. Here goes another game in the bag of kings XI Punjab as the hosts Royal Challengers Bangalore were crushed by 32 runs in a rush to secure the top position. For batting, KXIP batsmen managed to score 198 for 8 wickets by firing in unison, in which the share of 66 runs off 29 balls goes to David Miller. But, RCB could respond only with 166 for 9 wickets as there was no one to be paired up with AB de Villiers who once again had a good run of 53 off 26 balls. With this IPL encounter, KXIP maintain their top position in the table with a total of 14 points gained from 8 games whereas RCB is stuck on sixth position with 6 points. This time by making early strikes of figures: 3 for 25, Sandeep Sharma justified his skills. And what a surprise package was Shivam Sharma – 20 yr old off – spinner in his first senior level competitive match. His classical way of bowling just like an off – break bowler sent the ball flying and turning and earned him great figures: 2 for 26 in 4 overs.
KXIP seamer Sandeep Sharma took a dig at RCB where he managed to give a catch down leg – side to Wriddhiman when he saw the captain Kohli trying to put it down. It’s his 3rd duck of this IPL season and now shares the same status with Gautam Gambhir – Captain, Kolkata Knight Riders. RCB went to 39 for 4 from 29 for 3 when Akshar Patel’s arm ball cleaned up Sachin Rana. A number of deliveries were wasted during Yuvraj Singh’s bowling, but which also pressurized De Villiers a lot before he was knocked out by Shivam’s flighted delivery. Yuvraj tried to hit the mid – wicket when ball slipped out of his hands but fortunately gobbled up by Sehwag. With the score being at 52 for 5 by the end of 10 overs, the match seemed almost over. Glenn Maxwell in a single over hit a good 24 runs along with Albie Morkel hitting few sixes. De Villier’s 50 off 25 balls were followed by lakshmipathy Balaji’s sixes.
