DRS, May 9: Kohli masterclass, Siraj 3-fer prove to be too good for Punjab Kings

The 57th match of the IPL 2024 belonged to Virat Kohli. The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) star was at his best against the Punjab Kings. One can easily say that he knocked the Sam Curran-led team out of the tournament singlehandedly. He fell just 8 runs short of his 100th career ton and yet shattered multiple records. 

But it wasn’t just him who starred. Two of his other teammates, Mohammed Siraj and Rajat Patidar, were in fine flow themselves and can take pride in handing RCB their fourth consecutive win of the season. Their comprehensive victory has also kept their qualification hopes alive for now.

Kohli’s all-round brilliance 

Virat Kohli was on fire against the Punjab Kings. He came out with intent, scoring 92(47) and shushing down the strike rate critics as he guided Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a mammoth 241-run total. His batting was done, but Kohli wasn’t. He was a live wire in the field and pulled off the best run-out of the IPL 2024 season.

All is well between KL Rahul & Sanjiv Goenka

After rumours of KL Rahul stepping down as Lucknow Super Giants skipper following his on-field humiliations at the hands of LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka, the latest development has emerged. The two main men of the franchise seemed to have put their differences aside, and it’s been confirmed that Rahul will indeed continue as the Giants’ captain in the IPL.

Purple Patel

Harshal Patel has once again made the purple cap his own. The Punjab Kings middle and death overs specialist has overtaken Jasprit Bumrah in the wickets tally once again following his 3-wicket haul against RCB. Harshal sent Cameron Green, Dinesh Karthik, and Mahipal Lomror back, but that didn’t prove enough for his side to get a win.

MS Dhoni is fit!

The news we’ve been wanting to hear ever since learning that MS Dhoni is playing with a muscle tear in his leg. The former Chennai Super Kings skipper, in all likelihood, is playing his final IPL season, and to know that he’ll be here for a minimum of two more matches is what every cricket fan needs to hear. CSK’s head coach, Stephen Fleming, confirmed that he’ll be in action against the Gujarat Titans on May 10.

Siraj storms into form

Mohammed Siraj has stepped up when his team has needed him the most. The right-arm pacer is RCB’s best bowler, and he’s performed in the same manner as well. Defending any total isn’t easy in IPL 2024, and Siraj ensured that PBKS didn’t get a sniff. He claimed 3 wickets in 7 balls and killed the game as RCB sealed a 60-run victory.

CSK getting preferential treatment? 

Before their clash on May 10, the Gujarat Titans alleged that their opponents, the Chennai Super Kings, were getting preferential treatment from the IPL. The Shubman Gill-led side has complained to the BCCI that CSK was permitted to practice range hitting from the center of the Narendra Modi Stadium on May 8, two days prior to the match, which violates the IPL’s rules.