In a pulsating contest on the road, royal challengers Bengaluru (RCB) extended their away dominance with a fourth consecutive win, thanks to blistering performances from Phil salt and Virat Kohli. The duo's heroics at the top of the order set the tone for a commanding victory, reigniting RCB's playoff hopes in the ongoing IPL season.
RCB, chasing a competitive target, got off to a flyer with salt going on the offensive from ball one. The Englishman dismantled the opposition attack with a mix of brute power and smart placement, racing to a quick-fire fifty. His aggressive strokeplay unsettled the bowlers and laid a strong foundation for the chase.
Virat kohli, anchoring from the other end, brought his trademark finesse and composure to the crease. While salt was the aggressor, kohli played the perfect second fiddle early on before switching gears seamlessly. His calculated assault ensured that RCB stayed ahead of the required run rate throughout the innings.
Their opening partnership, worth over a hundred runs, left little for the middle order to do. Despite a brief stutter with a couple of wickets in quick succession, the RCB batters held their nerve to seal the chase with several balls to spare.
Earlier, RCB’s bowlers delivered a disciplined performance on a good batting surface. Strategic use of slower deliveries, sharp fielding, and crucial breakthroughs at regular intervals kept the opposition in check. Though a late cameo threatened to push the total out of reach, RCB’s death bowling ensured it remained manageable.
This fourth successive away win not only boosts RCB’s confidence but also shakes up the points table. With momentum clearly on their side, the Bengaluru outfit is peaking at the right time, and the playoffs are suddenly within touching distance.
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