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Chandigarh: Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) survived a Murali Vijay onslaught to pip Kings XI Punjab by a mere 1 run in a thrilling Indian Premier League 2016 match at Mohali on Monday night.
Vijay and Hashim Amla got KXIP off to a solid start, putting on 45 for the first wicket before Amla pulled Shane Watson to Stuart Binny for 21 off 20 balls with 2 fours. Vijay, already batting fluently, took charge of the innings completely. Vijay unfurled some glorious shots and single-handedly took KXIP close.
However, Vijay did not find much support at the other end. Wriddhiman Saha was stumped by KL Rahul off Yuzvendra Chahal for 16 off 13 balls with 1 four, and David Miller was done in by Chahal first ball, again stumped by Rahul.
KXIP had suddenly slipped to 88 for 3, but Vijay did not let the dismissal affect him.
With 24 runs needed off the last two overs, Watson bowled a superb over to give just 7, which left KXIP with 17 to get in the final over. Chris Jordan, who had gone for 37 off his first 3 overs, conceded a 4 and a 6 off successive balls. With 4 needed off the last ball Stoinis could only get 2, as RCB won by just 1 run.
Earlier, KL Rahul got RCB off to a terrific start and AB de Villiers took over in the middle overs. Rahul has been on a roll in IPL 9 so far, with scores of 23, 7, 51 not out, 51, 52, and 38 before this match.
Rahul was in great touch again, scoring a rapid 25-ball 42 laced with 6 sparkling boundaries and 1 six. Thanks to him RCB raced away to 63 for 1 within the first 8 overs.
Rahul’s dismissal was followed immediately with that of in-form skipper Virat Kohli for 20. KC Cariappa had Rahul bowled and managed to get Kohli to drive one straight to Murali Vijay 2 balls later. Kohli was dismissed for 20 off 21 balls with 2 fours.
AB de Villiers and Watson showing good form over the last few matches, RCB would have been confident of a partnership forming. Akshar Patel had other ideas though; he managed to bowl an incredibly slow half-tracker that Watson was fooled into playing too early. Watson was bowled for 1 off only 3 balls, and RCB had now lost 3 wickets for 4 runs in 8 balls.
Sachin Baby, promoted ahead of Travis Head, came in next. He managed to bat at better than a run-a-ball, but he was no Sarfaraz Khan. RCB had de Villiers at the other end, though, and he ensured the runs came at a brisk rate.
De Villiers played a few typically unconventional shots including a boundary down the ground that came off a whirly, free-flowing hit. He ended up hitting 5 fours and 2 sixes in his 35-ball 64. He and Baby put on 88 for the fifth wicket.
Brief scores
Royal Challengers Bangalore - 175/6 (de Villiers 64, Rahul 42, Baby 33)
Kings XI Punjab - 174/4 (Vijay 89, Stoinis 34)
Result - Royal Challengers Bangalore won by 1 run
