Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) managed to stay alive in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. The victory over Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the 58th match of the tournament revived fans’ hopes that their team can still reach the top . 4.
Punjab Kings (PBKS) hosted Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) Stadium in Dharamshala. On Thursday (May 9) the match between both teams was played, which was also virtually eliminatory.
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 spectacle with the bat at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamshala as he exuded his class with the bat.
Rajat Patidar (55) also criticized a brutal half-century that put Punjab Kings under pressure. He, along with Kohli, added 76 runs and got the team out of trouble when they had two early wickets. After that, Cameron Green joined Kohli and the duo did more carnage.
Virat Kohli scored 92 runs while Green finished with an innings of 46 runs, riding on his excellent effort with the bat, Royal Challengers Bengaluru posted a mammoth total of 241 runs on the board at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala.
Punjab Kings started the chase quite well even though they lost Prabhsimran Singh early. Jonny Bairstow (27) and Rilee Rossouw (61) kept their team in the hunt. After that, Shashank Singh (37) played vital innings but none of them could play a major role.
The Royal Challengers Bengaluru bowlers were on top of the Punjab Kings batsmen and bowled them for 181 runs to win the game by 60. With the victory, they stayed alive in the Indian Premier League and eliminated their rivals from the tournament .
Royal Challengers Bengaluru qualification scenario for IPL 2024 playoffs
The victory against the Punjab Kings was their fifth victory in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. With the victory, they solidified their seventh position in the points table with 10 points to their name. They also increased their NRR to +0.217, which could come in handy in the future.
To make it to the playoffs, Royal Challengers Bengaluru will need to win their next two games of IPL 2024. If they manage to do so, they will reach 14 points, which could become a qualification record.
But the road is not easy for them, since in addition to winning the next two games, they also need other results to continue their path. To qualify, they would like 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 the remaining games and Chennai Super Kings lose both their games, it will mean that 4 teams will be tied on 14 points. Since RCB has a positive NRR, it could allow them to play against other teams and qualify for the playoffs.