The electrifying clash between Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in Match 6 of IPL 2024 at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium didn’t disappoint, culminating in a thrilling victory for RCB by four wickets. Despite the exhilarating win for RCB, PBKS skipper Shikhar Dhawan couldn’t shake off a pivotal moment that shifted the game’s momentum against his team.

PBKS, batting first after losing the toss, posted a competitive total of 176/6 in their allotted 20 overs, anchored by Dhawan’s resilient 45 and crucial contributions from the lower order. However, RCB found themselves in early trouble at 26/1 in the third over when Virat Kohli received a reprieve. A straightforward catch spilt by Jonny Bairstow at first slip off Sam Curran’s bowling allowed Kohli, then on 0, to continue his innings.

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Kohli capitalized on the opportunity with a scintillating 77 off just 49 deliveries, steering RCB towards a potential victory. Reflecting on the match during the post-match presentation, Dhawan expressed his dismay over the missed chance, acknowledging its impact on the game’s outcome. “Virat scored 70-odd runs, and we dropped a catch of the class player; we paid the price,” Shikhar Dhawan lamented, highlighting the critical nature of missed opportunities in high-stakes encounters.

Despite Kohli’s heroics, the game hung in the balance until the final moments. With RCB at 130/6 in the 16th over, requiring 47 runs from 24 balls, victory seemed improbable until Dinesh Karthik unleashed a sensational onslaught, smashing an unbeaten 28 runs off just 10 deliveries to secure victory for RCB. Mahipal Lomror’s crucial cameo of 17* off eight balls also played a pivotal role in RCB’s successful chase.

Reflecting on his team’s performance, Shikhar Dhawan acknowledged the significance of missed opportunities and minor lapses, lamenting, “It was a good game; we brought the game back, and again we lost it. We scored 10-15 runs less, in the first six overs I played a bit slow. Those 10-15 runs cost us, and the dropped catch as well.”

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Amidst his regrets, Dhawan commended young spinner Harpreet Brar for his exceptional bowling performance, particularly his ability to handle pressure situations and deliver crucial breakthroughs. Looking ahead, PBKS aims to bounce back in their upcoming fixture against Lucknow Super Giants on March 30, while RCB savors their first win of the season and prepares to face Kolkata Knight Riders on March 29.