It was a high-scoring contest at the DY Patil Stadium with 413 runs scored in 39 overs when Punjab Kings defeated Royal Challengers Bangalore by five wickets on Sunday.
Faf du Plessis made 88 off 57 balls, with three fours and seven sixes, to make a total of 205-2 after being asked to bat. In reply, Punjab reached 208-5 in 19 overs.
Virat Kohli 41 not out off 29 balls for Bangalore, made a four and two sixes. Dinesh Karthik hit 32 not out off 14 balls.
Skipper Mayank Agarwal gave Punjab Kings a good start of 32 off 24, with contributions from Shikhar Dhawan (43 off 29) and Bhanuka Rajapaksa (43 off 22) taking the team to 118-2 in 11.2 overs. Mohammed Siraj (2-59) hit back with a double blow in the 14th over. Over all Shahrukh Khan and Odean Smith polished off the remaining runs required. Khan scored 24 not out off 20 balls, but it was Smith who stunned Bangalore into submission. He hit 25 not out off eight balls, including three tall sixes.
The duo put on 52 runs off 25 balls to give Punjab a winning start to its IPL season.
Monday’s IPL game is between new teams Gujarat Titans and Lucknow Super Giants.
“Virat Kohli and Faf du plessis took the game away from us but credit to our batters who won the game for us,” said Mayank Agarwal.