Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), batting first against Kings XI Punjab (KXIP), scored 171/6 in their 20 overs. RCB got off to a cracking start but were then strangled by spin, with Murugan Ashwin (2/23) being the wrecker-in-chief. Virat Kohli (48) came in to bat in the 5th over and anchored the RCB innings from then on. RCB’s strategy of sending in left-handers Washington Sundar and Shivam Dube ahead of AB de Villiers to counter KXIP’s leg spinners blew up in their faces. Mohammed Shami (2/45) picked up both Kohli and De Villiers in the 18th over to give KXIP a definitive upper hand. Chris Morris (25*) exploded in the last 2 overs to salvage the RCB innings.
Earlier, Royal Challengers Bangalore won the toss and elected to bat first against Kings XI Punjab in the 31st match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 at Sharjah Cricket Stadium. While RCB are playing the same eleven, KXIP have made three changes to the line-up - Chris Gayle, Deepak Hooda, M Ashwin come in for Mujeeb ur Rahmna, Prabhsimran Singh and Mandeep Singh. The last time both teams locked horns, KXIP emerged as the winners. Kings XI Punjab put a dominant show in that match, but have been failing to win any of their 5 games since. A win today for Punjab likely to keep them in contention for the playoffs.
