Bhanuka shines in IPL Debut as Punjab Kings record key win

Punjab Kings (PBKS) registered their first victory in the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 with a 5-wicket win against the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) on Sunday at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.

A captain’s knock from Faf du Plessis turned out to be in a losing cause as a complete batting effort from the Punjab Kings powered them to a victory in a high-scoring thriller.

Chasing a gigantic total of 205/2, PBKS openers – Shikhar Dhawan joined by skipper Mayank Agarwal responded in a strong fashion and added 28 runs in the first three overs.

Both Dhawan and Mayank were off to fine starts after they smacked 15 runs off the fifth over bowled by David Willey. Dhawan’s exquisite strokes added two fours to the total while the PBKS skipper executed the upper cut to perfection for a maximum.

At the end of powerplay, the Punjab Kings were cruising at 64/0. Wanindu Hasaranga proved to be the man for RCB as the right-arm spinner struck in the first delivery of his spell to claim the price wicket of the PBKS skipper.

>> When the going gets tough, the tough get going

Dhawan was joined by Bhanuka Rajapaksa, who immediately got into the act by striking two sixes and a four and the Punjab Kings brought their hundred up in the 11th over.

Rajapaksa caused further damage to the RCB bowlers and raced to 33 off just 15 deliveries. However, Harshal Patel brought RCB back to the game by scalping the wicket of Dhawan, who ended with a score of 43 (29).

Rajapaksa continued his free-flowing innings and was well supported by Livingstone, who clubbed a mammoth six straight down the ground in the 13th over.

Mohammed Siraj pulled things back for RCB by striking twice in consecutive deliveries to dismiss the well-set Rajapaksa and debutant Raj Bawa.

Livingstone added another huge six to the total but was caught by Anuj Rawat, who took a fantastic running catch in the outfield.

With the equation down to 50 off the final five overs, Shahrukh Khan, who was joined by Odean Smith, released the pressure with a straight six in the 16th over.

Odean Smith was dropped in the 17th over before the right-handed batter smacked 25 runs off the 18th over and displayed his power-hitting ability with three massive sixes and a four.

The Punjab Kings wrapped up the chase in style with an over to spare as Shahrukh Khan provided the finishing touch in the 19th over against Harshal Patel.

Earlier, RCB, who were put in to bat first, were led by a new captain – Faf du Plessis. Anuj Rawat joined the skipper to open the innings and the challengers were off to a glittering start.

Rawat smacked the first maximum of the innings in the third over by charging down the track, facing Sandeep Sharma. Du Plessis got an early reprieve after the RCB skipper was dropped at short mid-wicket.

Rawat finished the powerplay by scoring consecutive fours and the Royal Challengers were 41/0 at the end of first six overs. Rahul Chahar came to bowl straight after powerplay and bamboozled Rawat, who was dismissed for 21.

The current RCB skipper was joined by the former as the duo kept the scoreboard ticking. Virat Kohli smoked a maximum over long-on against Harpreet Brar in order to up the scoring rate.

The Royal Challengers were placed at 70/1 at the halfway mark with two set batters at the crease. With pressure mounting on, du Plessis targeted Livingstone and tonked the spinner for a maximum straight down the ground.

Both Kohli and du Plessis switched gears and hammered 23 runs off the 13th over bowled by Odean Smith, which included two fours and as many sixes.

The explosive batting continued for the experienced duo as they collectively clobbered three sixes in the 14thover bowled by Harpreet Brar.

RCB were placed at 142-1 at the 15-over mark and the hundred partnership was up for the second wicket between du Plessis and Kohli.

The RCB skipper clubbed two sixes and a four before he was caught in the deep off Arshdeep’s bowling, ending a fine knock of 88.

Dinesh Karthik, who joined Kohli in the middle, provided the perfect finishing touch to an already dangerous-looking total. The wicketkeeper batter smacked two sixes and a four in the penultimate over bowled by Odean Smith.