Kohli keeps RCB alive in playoffs race; Punjab Kings knocked out
Rajat Patidar (55), Cameron Green (46), and the spin duo of Swapnil Singh (2-28) and Karn Sharma (2-36) played their part in the big win
Rajat Patidar (55), Cameron Green (46), and the spin duo of Swapnil Singh (2-28) and Karn Sharma (2-36) played their part in the big win
Scorer: Sudeep Poojar | Commentator: Alan Gardner
12.05am: Go on, get to bed. That's a wrap from Dharamsala. Tomorrow the tournament moves on to Ahmedabad, where Gujarat Titans take on Chennai Super Kings in a must-win game for the home side. We'll be back for that, never fear. Until then, thanks for your comments, it's goodnight from myself, Sreshth and Sudeep. Bye!
11.55pm: Here come the presentations. Faf du Plessis: "Really good game, scoring 240 after losing the toss... the method and the aggression is good to see. Had some good conversations about making the same mistakes again and again. Changed our method and how we approach the game. Aggression with the bat was one of those. With the ball, we didn't take enough wickets in the powerplay, so we spoke about that. We needed a bit of form on our side, too. We had a few guys looking for runs and wickets. You fight for that and have to find a way. If you look now there are a few guys in really good form. We want to stick to the style of play that we want to do, if we do that we'll prove we are a really good team."
Player of the Match is Virat Kohli: "Still quality over quantity. More so at this stage of my career. Understading your game over so many years allows you to practise but still stay switched on. And still aiming to improve aspects of your game that you want to get batter on. I brought out the slog-sweep to the spinners. I know I can hit it as I've done it in the past. I know I need to take risks. Takes more conviction and to remove the thought 'what if I get out?' Means I can improve my strike rate in the middle overs. Have to be honest, we were not good enough in the first half of the tournament. We got to a point where we said don't look at the table, play for self-respect. Make yourselves proud and the fans. We need to raise our level. If we had done so earlier we would be in a position needing to rely on so many factors."
11.40pm: RCB get up again, a fourth win in a row to keep their (long) shot at the playoffs alive - seventh on the table and scrapping among the pack eyeing up fourth after a NRR boost. Faf is happy, so is Virat. The home side less so, with Kings' hopes snuffed out after another heavy defeat
Sam Curran: "Frustrating and disappointing. A lot of positive signs but not enough to get over the line and get the wins we needed. Gutted but lots to learn. Wasn't a distraction [to miss Shikhar Dhawan] We knew we had the best side for the rest of the tournament and I'm gutted for the team. Got to come back stronger next year. Enjoyed leading a great bunch of guys [but] would have loved to have won a few more games. We've had some highs, record chases. The ups and downs have been tough. There's lots of experience in the dressing room but have to keep learning. Lots of disappointment but we have to keep fighting."
Swapnil Singh: "Enjoyed it a lot. The ball was swinging initially, so I looked to swing it. Pressure is less when everybody is going for runs. Mentally it relaxes you. [Spin] First half we had a meeting, we discussed not using the spinners as effectively as we could. That is what changed and things are looking good now. As we are on a roll, we have to hit our areas. If the batters are going great, give it to them. But make sure you are hitting your lengths more often than not."
Arshdeep Singh c Sharma b Mohammed Siraj 4 (4m 3b 1x4 0x6) SR: 133.33
A timely reminder, from yogis: "PSA for the RCB fans 'Hope is what kills you' :P"
Slip is back in
Arshdeep walks in. Siraj is actually on a hat-trick...
The RCB batter has scored over 600 runs in the IPL for the fourth time in a season, but his attacking mindset has stood out in this edition
Rajat Patidar (55), Cameron Green (46), and the spin duo of Swapnil Singh (2-28) and Karn Sharma (2-36) played their part in the big win
Kohli and RCB captain Faf du Plessis credit "honest conversations" in the dressing room for their turnaround after six successive losses
Both teams are on eight points with only three games left