That's that, then. RCB bring that dismal losing streak to a close with a pretty comfortable away win against Kings XI Punjab. The action continues, in fact in just a few hours from now, depending on which time zone you are in, right here on ESPNcricinfo. There's a double-header Sunday to look forward to, and hope you will join us for that. For the moment, on behalf of Ranjith P, Varun Shetty and the rest of the boys and girls at ESPNcricinfo, this is Debayan Sen signing off. Good night and see you all soon!
11.51pm Time for the presentation
Virat Kohli: "Most pleasing thing is coming for an interview at this time of the game. Great feeling to get across the line. Couple of games we should have closed out before this. After so many setbacks, the guys had desire - that's one word we spoke about. We thought 190 was par, and to restrict them to 170 was a good effort. To pick up four wickets in eight overs in the middle was a good effort. We thought they might go early, but that allowed us to restrict them to 20 or so lesser."
AB de Villiers gets the player of the match award: "We've waited a long time for this one this season. It's a small step in the right direction but a step nonetheless. I've got too much respect for the game to get upset about that (his indifferent form). I know you're always just one knock away from being in that confident zone. (Not playing international cricket) That's exactly the reason I have decided not to play international cricket, because I want to be sharp for other tournaments. I get to work with some of the local youngsters, which gives me great motivation. (On Dale Steyn) It's a great move to get Dale. One day we will get 200 percent, because he gives so much in every ball he bowls. We have to win every game from here on. The next step is Mumbai, and we love playing at the Wankhede."
Lohith: "With dew factor getting worse each day, defending has become a nightmare for teams. Toss has become sooo important " --- Has always been the case, especially since evening games became the norm rather than the exception. Gets worse in winter, especially in north Indian venues like Mohali. The ball becomes a bar of soap, pretty much!
Dhilip: "I am RCB'ian . usually long gone before match was over. .now just reading all the comments. slowly. I know this is just one win. But u can't understand the feel if you r not RCB'ian"
hani: "But if they won every match from here wouldnt there be 16 points" --- Indeed, those numbers just to emphasise that even 14 points have been enough in the past. Meanwhile Asad has other prioriites, "Happy for King XI loss. Now Sunrisers will win the match and jump to 2nd from 6th on points table, provided KKR also lose tomorrow earlier in the day. That will be some achievement. "
Mohideen Abdul : "Finally.... Rcb seen 2 points After 7 consecutive defeats (last year last match also lost) "
R Ashwin: "(On using Sarfaraz) I thought the leggie might have a good chance of forcing AB and Stoinis to take some chances. We let ourselves down on the field, but they batted sensibly. The crowd has been fantastic, and we have a few more games at home and hope we get the same kind of support. We need to string some wins and gain some momentum."
Rafi Khan: "I was a big fan of Kings XI Punjab but not anymore, bcoz of the last two defeats against MI the other day and RCB today, both the matches they could have won easily but their poor and bizarre strategy cost them 4 points" --- Still a while to go, Rafi. And the good thing for Kings XI is that they are able to compete against the good team as well this season
For those who were asking if RCB can still qualify for the playoffs provided they win every game from here, these are teams that made the playoffs in eight-team leagues after posting just 14 points
2018 - Rajasthan Royals
2014 - Mumbai Indians
2010 - Royal Challengers Bangalore and Chennai Super Kings
2009 - Deccan Chargers
Aqueel: "Areeeeeeee Seeeeeeee Beeeeeeee... Ee Saala Cup Naamdey"
11.38pm This was a surreal end to a bit of a surreal contest, to be perfectly honest. Kings XI Punjab came up with a staccato batting effort to post 173, and then RCB looked right in control, before Virat Kohli's wicket right at the end that made it a tight finish. R Ashwin handed the ball to former RCB player Sarfaraz Khan to defend five runs in the last over, and it got over in just two balls. Good batting, first from Kohli and then by AB de Villiers, who saw his team home
Sarfaraz Khan with the last over. This is seriously left of field
END OF OVER:19 | 14 Runs | RCB: 168/2 (6 runs required from 6 balls, RR: 8.84, RRR: 6.00)
- AB de Villiers59 (38b)
- Marcus Stoinis22 (14b)
- Mohammed Shami4-0-43-1
- Andrew Tye4-0-40-0
That could be game, set...but will it be the match?
They need AB's wicket here, I think, if Kings XI have to win this one...
SewnarayneB: "Plenty bets lost... De guy who said RCB will end on 176/1 lost, de guy who said ABD n kholi will out in de same over lost, let's see how this ends"
rmj1729: "You know simple way to calculate no of match based on no. of team, assume 8 teams in IPL if each team will against other team 1 match, then first team will play 7 match, second team 6 till 1 simple forumala (( n ( n-1) ) / 2 ) * no. of matches against need to play (n is number of team) -> if IPL has 8 team and need to play 2 match against each team (((8)(7))/2) * 2 = 56" --- That's true. Add the four matches for the playoff, and you have 60 matches for the IPL
Crucial 19th over, where this game could well get decided. Shami to deliver this one. Wouldn't want to leave any less than 12 for Sam Curran to defend?
END OF OVER:18 | 18 Runs | RCB: 154/2 (20 runs required from 12 balls, RR: 8.55, RRR: 10.00)
- Marcus Stoinis17 (11b)
- AB de Villiers50 (35b)
- Andrew Tye4-0-40-0
- Ravichandran Ashwin4-0-30-1
Was that the over that RCB needed?
Paras: "A legend once said.....catches win matches and KXIP is making it relevant once again. They have dropped the match by dropping Stoinis"
50 for AB
Vinod Rajpal: "I assure you all that this would be TIE & SUPER OVER !!"
Sooryanarayanan: "The best catching side this tournament has really been off tonight on the field. "
Parikshith Hari: "@Dhaval- but Kohli and chahal are still performing. By that logic, you suggest those two will fail in the World Cup? Come on, can't apply law of averages across different formats"
Here's Tye. Akshay Singh: "The responsibility falls again on ABD this time to finish the match. Hoping that we don't see a repeat of RB vs MI match"
Rakesh: "Virat pulled off a MSD innings today. Batted slowly, allowed the RRR to mount and then got out tamely..."
Kings XI Punjab were at 138 for 4 at this stage!
END OF OVER:17 | 6 Runs | RCB: 136/2 (38 runs required from 18 balls, RR: 8.00, RRR: 12.66)
- Marcus Stoinis6 (7b)
- AB de Villiers43 (33b)
- Ravichandran Ashwin4-0-30-1
- Mohammed Shami3-0-29-1
Dhaval: "RCB should lose all 14 matches under Virat's captaincy, so Law of averages come into play and India win the world cup."