Match Center

Right then, that is it from this absolute run-fest where Bengaluru stays alive but it is the end of the road for Punjab. Next up in the Indian T20 League is another crucial game in the context of the playoffs as Chennai takes on Gujarat. That game will begin at 7.30 pm IST (2 pm GMT), but as you know, you can always join us early for all the build-up to the match. Until then, cheers and goodbye!

Virat Kohli is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his stunning knock. He says that for him it is quality over quantity and it works for him. Adds that it allows you to practice less but keep your mind fresh. Tells that he is a guy who looks to adapt to conditions and always improves his game. Mentions that he has played the slog-sweep a lot in this competition, and it is a shot that he played a lot earlier in his playing days and now it is allowing him to also play on the back foot. Says that you have to be honest with yourself in a long tournament, and they were not good enough in the first half of the game. Further adds that the bowling performance against Kolkata was the turning point for them but still a couple of results need to go their way which is not ideal and you always think what if they started playing like this a few games earlier.

Faf du Plessis, the victorious skipper of Bengaluru says that it was a really good game. Adds that they scored over 240 after losing the toss and it’s really pleasing. Mentions that they had good conversations through the middle of the season and wanted to work on the areas they lacked. Shares that they started getting more aggressive and changed a few players in the bowling department. Adds that now they have 6-7 options in the bowling. States that they started finding a way to turn it around as the players wanted to show their real character. Ends by sharing that they want to focus on themselves and that they are a dangerous team for the rest of the tournament.

Sam Curran, the captain of Punjab says that the tournament was frustrating and disappointing. Adds that they had some good stuff but they lost close matches and had a lot to learn. Shares that they knew Shikhar Dhawan wasn’t going to be available because of injury. Mentions that they are gutted but will come back stronger next year. Says that it was fun to lead the side but would have loved wins in a few more games. Informs that they will hope to do well in the last two matches and give fans something to cheer on. Ends by sharing that the ups and downs have been tough but they need to support each other and keep learning and keep coming back stronger.

Presentation Time...

Swapnil Singh is up for a quick chat. He says that he enjoyed it a lot and adds that the pressure is less as all the bowlers are taken for runs. Shares that he was well prepared mentally for it. States that the team had a meeting after the first half of the season and decided to use the spinners more and things are working well for them. Shares that they are on a roll as they plan well against the opponents. Ends by saying that they are trying to keep it simple and taking one game at a time.

Earlier in the game, Bengaluru posted the highest T20 total on this ground courtesy of an exceptional knock of 92 from Virat Kohli along with a fine fifty from Rajat Patidar. Cameron Green and Dinesh Karthik also played decent cameos towards the end. Harshal Patel picked up three wickets with all of them coming in the last over. Debutant Vidwath Kaverappa got a couple of scalps, while Sam Curran and Arshdeep Singh chipped in with one each. However, they only have themselves to blame as they dropped Kohli and Patidar on zero which cost them dearly. While chasing, Punjab started well with Jonny Bairstow and Rilee Rossouw, but the middle order failed miserably.

Bengaluru, on the other hand, will be pretty pleased with their bowling effort. Swapnil Singh got them the early breakthrough in the first over but they couldn't capitalize after that and leaked a lot of runs in the Powerplay before Lockie Ferguson getting rid of Jonny Bairstow. In the middle overs, Karn Sharma was brilliant along with Swapnil and ran through the middle order of Punjab like it was nothing as they shared four wickets equally. Mohammed Siraj came back and cleaned up the tail to wrap up the victory for his team. Bengaluru are on a roll and they still have a chance to qualify for the playoffs.

Punjab needed a quick-fire start but they suffered an early blow as Prabhsimran Singh went back in the first over after playing a few lusty blows. However, after that, Jonny Bairstow and Rilee Rossouw managed to keep up with the asking rate and went full attacking mode. They managed to score 75 in the Powerplay but lost Bairstow in the process as well. Rossouw continued to attack from one side and notched up a fine half-century but after getting hit on his throat perished on the very next ball. After that, Punjab suffered a bit of a collapse as their middle order failed to make any sort of impact. Only Shashank Singh was able to score a few and play a cameo, while skipper Sam Curran tried to add a few but that was never going to be enough as they had to face a defeat by a huge margin of 60 runs.

BENGALURU ELIMINATES PUNJAB! Yet another disappointing season for the home side as they get knocked out with their second loss in a row. However, it is joy on the other side as Bengaluru extends their winning streak to four games and keeps their hopes alive with a dominating victory.

OUT! TAKEN! In the air and gone! Bengaluru makes it four out of four wins! Slower length ball, around off. Arshdeep Singh swings hard and heaves it to the mid-on region. Karn Sharma runs in from the boundary and takes a sharp catch. All over for Punjab as Bengaluru wins by 60 runs and keeps their chances alive for the playoffs.

FOUR! Wide yorker from Siraj! Arshdeep Singh does well to reach at it and slices this to the deep third region for a boundary.

Back of a length outside off.  Arshdeep Singh pulls and toe ends it to short mid-wicket.

Yorker length, tailing into the middle and leg. Rahul Chahar jams it out and works it through mid-wicket for a single.

On a length, angling into the batter. Rahul Chahar has a wild swing across the line but only connects with thin air.

WIDES! Siraj bowls it too short, and way over the batter. Arshdeep Singh swings and misses. Dinesh Karthik gets a hand to it but cannot prevent the two extras.

Arshdeep Singh is the last batter for Punjab.

OUT! CAUGHT IN THE DEEP! Siraj bowls it full and at the leg-stump line. Harshal Patel flicks it aerially and straight to the throat of Lockie Ferguson at the deep backward square leg boundary. He takes a sharp catch and Punjab are falling here like a pack of cards. The ninth wicket is back in the pavilion.