Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) defeated KL Rahul-led Punjab Kings (PBKS) by six runs in match 48 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium and qualified for the playoffs. RCB fought back after a good opening stand as they took regular wickets in the middle-overs. PBKS openers KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal started well in pursuit of the 165-run target, adding 49 runs in the powerplay. However, their downfall started when PBKS skipper KL Rahul fell for 39 runs in the 11th over to Shahbaz Ahmed. RCB got a foot in the door while defending the 165-run target. Yuzvendra Chahal turned the game on its head for RCB with two wickets in an over as PBKS lost their way, losing three quick wickets in chase of 165 runs. Harshal Patel then defended 19 runs off the last over.
Batting first, RCB lost Virat Kohli and Daniel Christian in back-to-back Moises Henriques deliveries to put PBKS on par in the match after enduring a good start from opposition openers, going for 67 runs in 9 overs. Henriques further removed Devdutt Padikkal to jolt RCB's surge in the middle-overs. RCB finished strongly though, at the back of Maxwell's superb 50 and ABD's explosive knock to post a total of 164/7 in 20 overs.