Apart from the three Karnataka batsmen who felt very much at home while playing an away fixture, no other Punjabi batsman was up to the challenge that Royal Bangalore threw at them as KXIP stopped at 155 runs. Umesh Yadav ended up as the lead-bowler of the night as he picked up three wickets for 23 runs in his full quota. Lokesh Rahul top-scored for Punjab with another explosive knock of 47 from 30 balls.

The start was brilliant for Punjab as both the Karnataka batsmen looked extremely comfortable at their home ground. KL Rahul still fresh from his 14-ball 50 against Delhi smacked 16 runs in the first over of Chris Woakes. Mayank Agarwal started attacking from the other end too as KXIP got to 32 in 3 overs.

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It all changed for Bangalore from then on. Umesh Yadav running in with high-speed induced an outside edge of Agarwal’s bat which was brilliantly caught by De Kock. The returning Aaron Finch had to return to the pavilion immediately as he was trapped on the crease in front of the stumps. The review returned with the call of Umpire’s call.

In came Yuvraj. One of his early pull just went over the fielder’s head situated at the deep square leg position and earned him four runs. He was soon castled by Umesh Yadav as he completely missed the ball that crashed onto the middle stump. One over, four runs and three wickets. The complexion of the match changed completely.

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Karun Nair and KL Rahul tried stabilizing the innings with a meaningful partnership. It was broken by Washington Sundar as he nicked out Rahul. Wickets kept falling for Punjab after that and it was only when the captain Ravi Ashwin took the mantle in his hand, runs arrived.

Ashwin scored 33 runs from 21 balls as Punjab secured a total of 155 runs. RCB needs 156 runs to win