Royal Challengers Bengaluru Dominates Punjab Kings with Seven-Wicket IPL Win
MULLANPUR – Royal Challengers Bengaluru secured a commanding seven-wicket victory over Punjab Kings in their latest Indian Premier League (IPL) encounter on Sunday. Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal starred with half-centuries, leading Bengaluru to a clinical chase of 158 with seven balls to spare.
Kohli and Padikkal’s Solid Partnership Powers Bengaluru
Chasing 158 for victory, Bengaluru made light work of the target, thanks to a solid 103-run partnership for the second wicket between Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal. After an early setback with the dismissal of Phil Salt in the first over by Arshdeep Singh, the duo stabilized the chase.
Kohli, 36, remained unbeaten on 73 runs off 54 balls, notching up his fourth half-century of the season. With this performance, he surpassed David Warner as the player with the most 50-plus scores in IPL history, reaching his 67th milestone. The innings included seven boundaries and a six.
Padikkal, contributing 61 runs off 35 balls, also had a stellar outing. His first half-century of the season was integral to the partnership. Harpreet Brar dismissed Padikkal, but the chase was comfortably guided home by Kohli’s composed knock.
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Punjab Kings’ Total Falls Short as Bengaluru’s Bowlers Shine
Earlier, Punjab Kings posted a total of 157/6, with their innings never fully gaining momentum against Bengaluru’s disciplined bowling attack.
Krunal Pandya and Suyash Sharma starred with the ball, each taking two wickets. The Punjab openers, Priyansh Arya (22) and Prabhsimran Singh (33 off 17 balls), started aggressively with a 42-run partnership. However, Pandya broke the stand, removing Arya in the fifth over before dismissing Prabhsimran in the very next over.
Romario Shepherd, making his season debut for Bengaluru, also made an impact, dismissing Punjab captain Shreyas Iyer for just six runs. Later, Nehal Wadhera was run out as Bengaluru tightened their grip on the match.
Despite a brief fightback from Josh Inglis (29 off 17 balls), who fell to leg-spinner Suyash Sharma, and Shashank Singh, who made an unbeaten 31, Punjab’s total remained inadequate. Sharma also dismissed Marcus Stoinis, reducing Punjab to 114/6.
A late partnership between Singh and Marco Jansen (25*), who added 43 runs in an unbroken stand, gave some hope but ultimately fell short as Bengaluru completed a comprehensive win.
With this victory, Bengaluru continues to build momentum, securing an essential win to maintain their position in the IPL standings.
