Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers notched up brilliant half-centuries to inspire Royal Challengers Bangalore's (RCB) first win in IPL 2019 as they scored 174/2 in 19.2 overs to beat Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) by 8 wickets at the Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali on Saturday. In the chase, Parthiv Patel (19) and Kohli (67) got RCB off to a good start. Following the dismissal of the former, Kohli along with de Villiers (59) forged a key partnership keeping KXIP bowlers at bay to take away the match from the hosts. Kohli, who was looking in great touch fell to a soft-dismissal. From there on de Villiers was helped on with a cameo of Marcus Stoinis (28 not out) to chase down the target with four balls to spare. Earlier, Chris Gayle (99 not out) hammered Royal Challengers Bangalore bowlers to help Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) post 173/4. Asked to bat, KXIP off to a good start before KL Rahul (18) was sent back by Yuzvendra Chahal. However, Gayle continued the flow of runs as he struck eight boundaries and five hits over the fence. Mandeep Singh played an important cameo in the end to help KXIP post a competitive total. (SCORECARD)
IPL 2019 Highlights Between Kings XI Punjab vs Royal Challengers Bangalore, straight from Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium, Mohali
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Royal Challengers Bangalore beat Kings XI Punjab by 8 wickets
Poor captaincy from Ravichandran Ashwin, asked Sarfaraz Khan to bowl the final over. He gives away the remainder of the runs in just two balls. Sam Curran had an over left but Ashwin had some other plans, which didn't pay off.
AB de Villiers hits it fine for a maximum off the final delivery in the 19th over. RCB need 6 runs from the final over, maiden win in IPL 2019 looks very much in reach for the visitors.
AB de Villiers gets his reward for playing a well composed innings, reaches his 31st IPL fifty, sneaks a single as Andrew Tye dislodges the bails with his arms and not with the ball.
AB de Villiers has smoked it over covers for a maximum and Virat Kohi looks animated in the dug-out, he is not taking his chair at the moment. Looks like he can smell a victory here!
Marcus Stoinis hits it high in the air off Andrew Tye's back of a length delivery, plenty of time for Murugan Ashwin to judge and collect it but the ball has just slid between his hand and chest.
Virat Kohli tried to play a lofted shot, from the middle of the bat, hands and easy catch to Murugan Ashwin. A splendid knock of 67 runs comes to an end. Can AB de Villiers chase this down for RCB now?
AB de Villiers hits the delivery from Andrew Tye towards deep mid-wicket to pick two runs, Mohammed Shami makes the throw but Kohli at the non-strikers end will make his ground with ease.
AB de Villers plays a paddle sweep off Sam Curran for four runs towards fine leg. Curran has been expensive tonight, conceded 30 runs from his 30 overs. Time-out has been taken!
Virat takes a single of Ravichandran Ashwin to reach to his 36th IPL half-century, off 37 deliveries. Can he guide RCB home for the first time in IPL 2019?
Andrew Tye bowls a short-pitched delivery to AB de Villiers, offers width outside off stumps, gets slammed for four runs. He won't let the lose deliveries slip, will he?
Parthiv Patel hits Sam Curran straight down the ground for four runs, RCB are off to a flyer in the chase. He has looked in good touch in the tournament.
Gayle hits a boundary of the final ball of the KXIP innings. The home franchise post 173/4 in their stipulated 20 overs, there's going to be some chasing for the likes of Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers.
How many full-toss have been bowled to Chris Gayle? Well, one more here from Siraj and Gayle dispatches it for four runs. Siraj goes for 50, with two balls to go.
Kings XI Punjab
Royal Challengers Bangalore