A five-match losing streak got broken as Ravichandran Ashwin saw Washington Sundar hit the winning runs. The Royal Challengers Bangalore chased down a below-par target of 156 to kickstart their points tally.
Punjab got off to a flying start, courtesy some lusty stroke-play from KL Rahul. The opener made 47 runs off 30 balls. He never let the bowlers dominate and found the ropes on six occasions, putting it over four times. But Umesh Yadav’s triple-blow in the fourth over changed the game completely. Yadav finished with 3/23 from his four overs. And the rest of the bowlers too found themselves among wickets.
In the post-match event, Ashwin said that he takes pride in the way his men fought back in the game. He felt Punjab were about 30 runs short as the wicket was good for batting.He also said that RCB were the favourites, with some big names in their squad.
Ravichandran Ashwin backs his boys
“I am proud of the way the boys fought. We were probably 20-30 runs short. We go down, we go down like this. The pressure is on RCB, they have the big players. Captaincy is good and I am enjoying it. I can’t ask for anything more from the boys. There was a lot of dew but good bowlers are always good bowlers.” Ashwin said, reflecting on his side’s four-wicket loss.
AB’s knock seals the deal
It was one man who changed the game with his big hits. AB de Villiers polished his bat and made a 40-ball 57, anchoring the innings.
“I was so keen to be not out and win it. Well, I am sorry for it. Love getting not outs and guiding a team to a win. I was getting frustrated but got some hits in the end. The wicket was a little bit on the slower side.” he said.
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