In an IPL 2023 encounter at the IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali, both Faf du Plessis and Virat Kohli scored 50s, but the Punjab Kings limited the Royal Challengers Bangalore to only 174 runs. Kohli led RCB to an early lead in his first game as captain since the 2021 season, with Faf serving as an alternate.
After the powerplay, du Plessis attacked the PBKS bowlers, but Kohli slowed down. In rapid succession, Harpreet Brar got Virat Kohli (59) and Glenn Maxwell (0), and then Nathan Ellis removed Faf (84). For the record, PBKS have won five of their past six meetings with RCB, including a double sweep last season.
Faf du Plessis scored 84 runs against Punjab Kings in the IPL 2023 game in Mohali
Virat was stuck for a time, while RCB ended up leaving too much work for Maxwell, DK, and the rest of the batting order after reaching 91 without loss after 10 overs. Maxi had to start from ball one, and he attempted and failed the very first time out. DK was the only one that found the fence.
Faf, though, made up for a shaky beginning with a series of solid hits for six. He proved his devotion to Mohali by scoring four half-centuries in four consecutive matches in Mohali. With two wickets in two balls, Brar’s over turned the match on its head, and the other bowlers have made it tough to slog by bowling pace off into the wicket. Even with the tempo off, 175 is a difficult score to get. Since PBKS is missing Dhawan, their batting seems vulnerable. RCB has bowlers with the ability to provide slow balls and spin.’
Royal Challengers Bangalore (Playing XI): Virat Kohli(c), Faf du Plessis, Mahipal Lomror, Glenn Maxwell, Shahbaz Ahmed, Dinesh Karthik(w), Wanindu Hasaranga, Suyash Prabhudessai, Harshal Patel, Wayne Parnell, Mohammed Siraj
Punjab Kings (Playing XI): Atharva Taide, Matthew Short, Harpreet Singh Bhatia, Liam Livingstone, Sam Curran(c), Jitesh Sharma(w), Shahrukh Khan, Harpreet Brar, Nathan Ellis, Rahul Chahar, Arshdeep Singh
Twitter Reacts:
What a fire knock FAF👏🏼❤️ https://t.co/2G9Mc4DAZb
— k ( 𝙍𝘾𝘽 ) (@Iosingame_) April 20, 2023
Fighter Faf💛 https://t.co/B5ID29wtX1
— SSS (@RUTHLESS_SALAAR) April 20, 2023
brilliant innings Faf🔥👏🏽 https://t.co/Y3vKadGQ3f
— Cʜɪɴɴᴀ ⎊ (@itschinna18) April 20, 2023
Well Played , Tough Pitch , players like Rohit and Dhoni would have got out at score like 2(13)
— 𝑹𝒊𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒃𝒉 𝒊𝒔 Life (@Pant_life) April 20, 2023
he has played two back to back mind blowing knocks with issues in ribs …this is unbelievable hope today's knock won't go in vain
— SentiMemer (@sentimemer) April 20, 2023
