Rahul, bowlers shine as KXIP beat RCB by 97 runs

K. L. Rahul plays a shot

Skipper K. L. Rahul led from the front as he smashed a blistering unbeaten 132 to help Kings XI Punjab pull off a convincing 97-run victory over Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in their Indian Premier League (IPL) T20 match played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) yesterday.    

The 28-year-old dashing right-hander struck 14 boundaries and seven sixes to help KXIP post a mammoth total of 206 for three in their stipulated 20 overs after they were put into bat.
In reply, RCB never recovered after losing their opening three wickets inside just three overs and they were eventually bowled out for 109 in 17 overs. 

Rahul was on roll as he brought up the first century of the 2020 IPL season off just 62 deliveries. He reached the mark by carving a full ball from Dale Steyn in the 19th over towards short third man to bring up his second IPL hundred. 

However, RCB Skipper Virat Kohli missed two good chances to dismiss KXIP Skipper Rahul, who looked solid at the crease and was dealing with boundaries. 

Kohli first dropped Rahul at deep midwicket on the last ball of the 17th over from Steyn before once again dropping him near long-off on the last ball of the 18th over. 

Shivam Dube was called into the attack and he delivered in his very first ball of the match by removing Nicholas Pooran for 17. 

The Kings XI Punjab batsman lofted the first ball of the 14th over straight to mid-off, only to see A. B de Villiers grab a good catch. 

Rahul brought up his half century by punching the first ball of the 12th over from Washington Sundar to long-on off the back foot. 

(Agencies)