RCB vs KXIP, Highlights and Match Recap, IPL 2019, Full Cricket Score: AB De Villiers powers Bangalore to third win on trot

Kagiso Rabada is still unmoved at the top in the leading wicket-takers’ list.

IPL 2019: Below is the top-10 list of the players in contention for Purple Cap. Check out the full list here . 

AB de Villiers played a scintillating knock today to enter the 400-club in the tournament. 

IPL 2019: Below is the updated Orange Cap list. Check out the full list here . 

RCB lift off from the bottom of the table with third successive win

IPL 2019:  Updated points table 

AB de Villiers is Player of the Match

ABD: I try to stay calm in death overs. You have teammates around you who always help you. We are turning things around. We are taking one game at a time. I felt it was 160 pitch batting first. The pitch it seemed got better but our bowlers did well.

Virat Kohli, RCB Captain: We have won 4 out of 5 games, we could have won 5 out of 5. We are just enjoying our cricket. The partnership between Marcus Stoinis and De Villiers changed the game.  They brought us to 200 which looked highly unlikely. We thought 175 would have been good. The big break before Mohali helped us. The important thing is not to take any pressure. It is just continuing this. Having a 6-7 bowling option in T20 cricket is great luxury to have. We know how we play. The world knows how we play. Especially with the two left-handers they had. Moeen and Washi bowled really well and having six-seven bowling options really help. Also Marcus as the allrounder gives a lot of flexibility

RCB have shown some real heart on the field tonight. The equation favoured the batting side in the final five. But the pacers stuck to their strengths and bowled with a lot of fire. Saini, in particular, was impressed with his raw pace. There were no changeups from the young tearaway. He went flat out six out of six balls in that final over and hurried both the set batsmen with his extra pace. At the death, it’s essential to back your strengths as a bowler and RCB did precisely that. Earlier in the evening, AB de Villiers played a special knock to ensure RCB post a handsome total on the board. Credit to the Chinnaswamy pitch as well that has served some of the most entertaining games this season. The win for RCB has opened up the points table beautifully for the rest of the tournament. More than 70 per cent of the games are out of the way, and every team still has a chance of making it to the playoff.

This is RCB’s fourth consecutive win over KXIP in IPL.

Ashwin, KXIP captain: At the end of the day, it is about winning crunch moments and we have not been able to win those in last couple of games. It is about getting that one win. Then we can try to win couple on the trot. We have given batsmen enough opportunities to come on the top. It is all about backing the players. In all 11 games, we have always been in the game which is a positive for us. About time bowlers stand up and deliver in the powerplay.

That’s it. RCB win by 17 runs. 

Two wickets in Umesh Yadav’s last over of the innings and it became tougher and tougher for Punjab to get closer to the target. Third successive victory for Bangalore in the tournament. Can you believe it? They can still breath in the tournament. Hopes still alive.

Ball 5: DROPPED! Murugan plays the big shot but hits it directly to Kohli at long-on, who spills it. 1 run. Punjab need 20 off 1. 

Punjab need 20 runs in 1 ball

Punjab need 20 runs in 1 ball

Ball 4: Umesh targets the stumps, new man Murugan makes room and tries to hit it to off side, misses the ball by some distance. No run. Punjab need 21 runs in 2 balls

This kid has some heart. Navdeep Saini managed to keep Dhoni quiet the other night in that nailbiter against CSK. Tonight he has bowled the 19th over of the innings and just conceded 3 runs. More importantly, he has dismissed both the set batsmen. Umesh has a cushion of 27 in the final over tonight.

OUT! 

Two wickets in two balls, short stuff from Umesh to new man Viljoen, who heaves but does not connect well, ball brushes the gloves and flies to Parthiv behind the wickets. Viljoen c Parthiv Patel b U Yadav 0(1) Punjab need 21 runs in 3 balls

OUT!

On the second ball of the over, Ashwin again tries to go over the long-on, could not connect well and has been held by Kohli before the ropes. Ashwin c Kohli b U Yadav 6(2) Punjab need 21 runs in 4 balls

20th over, Ball 1 :SIX, fuller in length from Umesh and Ashwin hits it over long on for a maximum.

After 19 overs,Kings XI Punjab 176/5 ( Mandeep Singh 2 , Ravichandran Ashwin (C) 0)

Brilliant over by Saini. What a mature young head on his shoulder. Doing the basics right. Wicket on the first ball and then a dot followed by three singles. Fuller in length all the time, and fast. Removed the danger man on the last ball. Punjab need 27 runs in 6 balls

OUT This was hit by Pooran into the orbit and it came down at rocket speed. Great concenteration from Ab de Villers who lined himself beneath it and took a safe catch. Always tough to catch these but you expected someone of de Villiers’ stature to grab these. Pooran c de Villiers b Navdeep Saini 46(28)

Most catches in IPL:

99 – Suresh Raina
83 – AB de Villiers*
82 – Rohit Sharma

RCB pull one back. Umesh bowls an excellent over. Mixed his length and pace beautifully. Gave away just six runs, could have been even better if Stoinis hadn’t dropped a simple chance. The equation is shifting in favour of the bowling side now with 15 an over required in the final two.

OUT! Miller has to go. Saini back on and bowls a fuller length delivery, Miller smashes it hard but it goes directly to AB de Villers at long-on. He was not going to drop this. Miller goes back for 25-ball 24. Miller c de Villiers b Navdeep Saini 24(25)

After 18 overs,Kings XI Punjab 173/3 ( David Miller 24 , Nicholas Pooran (W) 45)

Everything is happening right now in the middle. Sixes, fours, dropped catches. Stoinis would find it hard to face Kohli if RCB end up on the losing side. This is a great over from Umesh in these circumstances. Just 6 off it. Punjab need 30 runs in 12 balls

DROPPED! Stoinis puts Pooran, the danger man, down. It was a skier hit by Pooran and this seemed to be the end of Punjab’s chase but Stoinis spilled it.

Punjab needed 12 an over in the final 5. They need 12 an over in the final 3 now. Pooran isn’t looking so comfortable against pace. This is where Miller needs to stand up and justify his paycheque for the season.

After 17 overs,Kings XI Punjab 167/3 ( David Miller 21 , Nicholas Pooran (W) 43)

Southee comes back into the attack and put under pressure by Miller with two back-to-back boundaries. Then comes back well, giving 3 off the next four balls. The match is getting close to a tight finish. Punjab need 36 runs in 18 balls

FOUR! Short ball and Miller heaves the ball this time and the ball travels to the boundary at rocket speed.

FOUR! Deft touch by Miller and that ball beats the short third man fielder and runs away for a boundary.

After 16 overs,Kings XI Punjab 156/3 ( David Miller 11 , Nicholas Pooran (W) 42)

Moeen continues. Pooran here is doing the magic, dealing in just sixes. He is 42 off 22 balls. Fifty-run stand has come up between him and Miller. Punjab need 47 runs in 24 balls

SIX! Another big heave and well-connected one that too, goes sailing over the deep mid-wicket region for a maximum.

SIX! Maginificent from Pooran, flight from Moeen and yet again, on the back foot, Pooran gives his all in the shot and the ball goes sailing over the sight screen for a maximum. 150 up for Punjab.

Punjab need 60 in the final 5. If you know the history of this ground, the equation favours the batting team. WIth Pooran going bonkers at one end, Miller has the leeway to mix caution with aggression and try to bat till the end.

Are we going to see more of this tonight?

Nicholas Pooran has hit a six every nine balls in T20 cricket in 2019

After 15 overs,Kings XI Punjab 143/3 ( David Miller 10 , Nicholas Pooran (W) 30)

Insane innings this from Pooran. He has displayed just one shot till now. Makes room and smashes the ball inside-out. Three of those four shots, went for six and one for a boundary. Started the over with a boundary with Saini did well to stop the flow of runs. Time-out called. Punjab need 60 runs in 30 balls

The Kings aren’t going to die wondering here. Pooran singled out Sundar and went after everything in the 14th over. Those three sixes in the over revived his team after a minor blip. This could be the night when IPL gets familiar with the might of Pooran, a guy who has made a name for himself in leagues across the world.

FOUR! What’s going on! Pooran is doing the damage here as he makes room and smashes it to covers again, the ball bounced inches before the ropes.

After 14 overs,Kings XI Punjab 135/3 ( David Miller 7 , Nicholas Pooran (W) 25)

Sundar continues and this time he has been put under the pump by Pooran who hit three sixes in the over to somewhat close the gap between the target and balls remaining. Punjab need 68 runs in 36 balls

SIX! Wow, just wow, this looks like a replay of the first shot, makes room, goes inside-out, over the deep extra cover, same result.

SIX! Pooran does it again, goes inside out and connects well, to get back-to-back sixes

SIX! Pooran goes big over the deep extra cover, was not a flighted ball but he goe behind the ball and put all his power in this inside-out shot.

After 13 overs,Kings XI Punjab 116/3 ( David Miller 7 , Nicholas Pooran (W) 6)

Moeen continues and he is giving no score whatsoever to the both the batsmen to free their arms. Pooran tried to make some room and hit but he is not getting the power and placement. Required run-rate over 12 now. Punjab need 87 runs in 42 balls

After 12 overs,Kings XI Punjab 110/3 ( David Miller 4 , Nicholas Pooran (W) 3)

Washington Sundar, right-arm off break, brought into the attack and what a time to come and bowl really. Set batsmen now back to the hut. Two new batsmen in. Sundar should try and bowl some tidy overs here and build the run-rate pressure on Punjab

After 11 overs,Kings XI Punjab 108/3 ( David Miller 3 , Nicholas Pooran (W) 2)

Moeen comes into the attack and delivers on the very first ball. Two quick wickets for RCB and they now have their nose ahead in this contest. Kohli was ecstatic after the fall of Rahul. He knows importance of this wicket. Punjab does not have many powerhitters to do the job in the slog overs. Nicholas Pooran has joined Miller in the middle. Punjab need 95 runs in 54 balls

Mayank and Rahul have perished in an attempt to keep up with the run rate. But Punjab is still reasonably placed at the halfway mark. They have taken those calculated risks to ensure that they are always ahead of the asking rate. Miller hasn’t had the best of IPLs and Pooran is short on confidence, but they won’t get a better opportunity and a better pitch than this one to prove their mettle.

OUT! Rahul has to go. Moeen comes into the attack and flights the ball. The right-handed batsman dances down the track on the very first delivery and he too miscues, the ball goes directly to the long-off fielder who holds on to it really well. Third wicket down for Punjab. Rahul c Southee b Moeen Ali 42(27)

After 10 overs,Kings XI Punjab 105/2 ( Lokesh Rahul 42 , David Miller 2)

Stoinis continues. Wicket on the first ball for him as Mayank miscues a shot. Ashwin, sitting in the dressing room, expressed his displeasure at the wicket. David Miller is the new batsman in. A bit of mix-up in the middle between him and Rahul straightaway. They need to form one more good partnership here. Just 4 of the over. Punjab need 98 runs in 60 balls

David Miller v RCB in IPL:

First five innings : 203 runs
Next four innings : 24 runs

OUT! Mayank Agarwal gone for 35! Stoinis pitches it short and Mayank heaves it in the leg side, connects badly. The miscued shot results in ball going directly into the hands of short mid-wicket. Agarwal c Chahal b Stoinis 35(21)

After 9 overs,Kings XI Punjab 101/1 ( Lokesh Rahul 40 , Mayank Agarwal 35)

Chahal comes back on. Mayank hit a flat-batted six over the long-off fielder. For a moment, the batsman ahd his heart in the mouth as the fielder jumped to grab the ball but it was hit with so much power that it was difficult to hold on to it. 15 came in the over.

FOUR! Bad ball, short in length, Mayank goes on back foot and smashes it to deep mid-wicket boundary for another four.

FOUR! Bad ball, short in length, Mayank goes on back foot and smashes it to deep mid-wicket boundary for another four.

SIX! Flight from Chahal and Mayank hits a flat six. He sits and smackes it just over the flying fielder at long-off to fetch six runs.

Punjab is keeping up with the required rate. With Mayank and Rahul in the middle, they have two of India’s best players of spin bowling. You would expect them not to get stuck against spinners as RCB did in the middle period. Rahul is the real danger man for RCB, but Mayank has already played some scintillating strokes and is looking in great touch.

After 8 overs,Kings XI Punjab 86/1 ( Lokesh Rahul 39 , Mayank Agarwal 21)

Stoinis comes into the attack. The partnership between Rahul and Mayank is shaping up really well here. 44 off 29 till now. We are almost near to the half-way mark in the innings. The equation is 117 off 72. If these two are there for some more time, things will get easier for Punjab. 9 off the 8th over.

FOUR! Bouncer but not well-directed one from Stoinis and Mayank had enough time on hand to pull it to deep backward square leg for a boundary.

After 7 overs,Kings XI Punjab 77/1 ( Lokesh Rahul 36 , Mayank Agarwal 15)

Saini returns and returns beautifully. Good speed and the ball holding its line after pitching. But Mayank hits boundary on the next loose ball. Saini manages to produce an edge but it too flies through vacant slip region for a boundary. 9 off the 7th over.

FOUR! Good ball, going away after pitching, takes the outside edge of Rahul’s bat and runs away for four through the vacant slip cordon.

FOUR! Huge back lift from Mayank, comes down hard on the ball, it races away to the deep cover boundary at rocket speed.

Highest Powerplay scores this IPL:

72/0 – SRH v KKR, Hyderabad
70/1 – RCB v KXIP, Bangalore
69/0 – SRH v RR, Hyderabad
68/1 – SRH v CSK, Hyderabad
68/1 – KXIP v RCB, Bangalore*

After 6 overs,Kings XI Punjab 68/1 ( Lokesh Rahul 32 , Mayank Agarwal 10)

Spin comes into play. Chahal gets the ball in hand. Rahul hits him for a six and then a four. 12 came in the over. 68 in the mandatory powerplay. KXIP have not stopped attacking after the loss of Gayle.

Yuzvendra Chahal needs one wicket to become the first bowler to take 50 IPL wickets at M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore.

FOUR! Another lovely shot, ball coming in to Rahul this time, he cuts it from very close to the stump, finds the gap and gets four more runs.

SIX! Beautiful stroke from Rahul, flight from leggie Chahal, Rahul comes to the pitch of the ball and hits it against the turn to hit it over the long-on boundary for a maximum.

After 5 overs,Kings XI Punjab 56/1 ( Lokesh Rahul 21 , Mayank Agarwal 9)

Despite the wicket, RCB struggle to take control of things as the pacers continue to get hit for boundaries. Southee has again been costly in the comeback over. Two boundaries came in the over.

Gayle is back in the pavilion. The RCB bowlers breathe a heavy sigh of relief. Wasn’t a special ball from Umesh Yadav. It was in Gayle’s hitting slot but the big Jamaican got a top edge that sailed straight into the hands of AB de Villiers in the deep. Punjab have Mayank and Rahul at the crease now, the two men who anchored a splendid chase against Mumbai Indians earlier in the season. This is also their home ground in domestic cricket, so they know this pitch as well as anyone.

FOUR! Bad ball, Southee bowls at the Mayank’s hips who puts bat on the ball and gets another boundary at fine leg.

Most wickets against KXIP in IPL:

27 – UMESH YADAV*
26 – Sunil Narine 
22 – Lasith Malinga, Amit Mishra, Dwayne Bravo

FOUR! Southee returns to the attack and and bowls an angling in delivery to Mayank who smacks it to deep mid-wicket boundary for four runs. FIFTY up for KXIP.

After 4 overs,Kings XI Punjab 48/1 ( Lokesh Rahul 21 , Mayank Agarwal 1)

Gayle smashes Umesh for a big six on the first ball and then perishes while on look-out for another one. The danger man is back to the hut. Mayank joins Rahul in the middle. Umesh has got the big wicket but he continues to bowl too full to Rahul and on his pads. 12 off the over despite the wicket of Gayle.

FOUR! Length is too full this time by Umesh and Rahul flicked it off his legs. Too easy for him. That goes to deep mid-wicket boundary for four runs.

OUT! Gayle is gone. Gayle is gone and Kohli is ecstatic. Umesh bowls length delivery, Gayle tries to clear the long-on ropes, does not connect well and has been caught near the ropes. De Villiers takes a very good catch. Gayle c de Villiers b U Yadav 23(10)

The run fest never stops at Bangalore. Punjab are getting those boundaries without breaking a sweat. The RCB bowlers have been wayward as well and have given at least one if not two boundary balls each over so far in the powerplay. If Gayle and Rahul get going Punjab can chase down 202 with an over to spare. Kohli needs to think about Yuzvendra Chahal real soon.

SIX! Carnage, full-toss and Gayle picks it up early, smashes it over the long-on boundary for a big maximum.

After 3 overs,Kings XI Punjab 36/0 ( Lokesh Rahul 17 , Chris Gayle 17)

Saini into the attack and he too leaks three boundaries in the over. Rahul coming into groove with two good shots in the over. Punjab off to a blistering start. They need to carry on as the middle-order does not have strength to surpass the 203-run target.

FOUR! Too full from Saini and Rahul smashes it over the covers again, more power this time and gets another boundary in the off side.

FOUR! Lovely shot from Rahul, four more as he carresed it through the off side, beating the fielder at covers.

FOUR! Saini into the attack, tad short, enough for Gayle, who rocks back and smacks it over the mid-on fielder for a boundary.

After 2 overs,Kings XI Punjab 23/0 ( Lokesh Rahul 9 , Chris Gayle 12)

Umesh Yadav bowls from the other end and he starts off badly. Wide and then two back-to-back boundaries. Improves line and length and bowls four dots. 9 off the over.

Umesh Yadav has taken 26 wickets against KXIP in IPL – the joint most by any player alongside Narine.

FOUR! Another bad ball, on the legs and Rahul here flicks it to behind the stumps for back-to-back boundary.

FOUR! Back of the length delivery, slanting in and Rahul guides it for four to deep backward square leg boundary

After 1 overs,Kings XI Punjab 14/0 ( Lokesh Rahul 1 , Chris Gayle 12)

Southee comes running in to begin the proceedings. Rahul collects single off the first ball. Yorker length to Gayle on the next delivery. Gayle gets off the mark with a boundary a swing of the bat in the off side. Gets one more four but with a mere touch of the bat. And then Southee goes too wide, Gayle clears front leg and hits it over backward point for third boundary of the over. Great start for RCB. 14 off it.

FOUR! Fuller and again room given, Gayle clears leg and fetches four runs  in deep backward point region.

FOUR! Deft touch from Gayle this time, finds the gap behind the stumps and the ball runs over to the third man boundary.

Chris Gayle against RCB in IPL: 40, 34, 18, 99*

FOUR! Fuller in length from Southee and way too much room as well, Gayle swings the blade, and the ball goes to third man boundary for four runs.

Alright, Chris Gayle and KL Rahul come out to begin the chase of 203 runs. Massive total but is there any total which Gayle can’t surpass on his day? Tim Southee, back in the side, and now into the attack.

Pace v Spin today:

Pace : 12-0-150-2 (Eco. : 12.50)
Spin : 8-0-46-2 (Eco. : 5.75)

48 runs in the last 3 overs for RCB. If AB doesn’t get you, Stoinis will. The Punjab bowlers were a deer staring at headlights. They kept serving it up in the hitting slot for these two batsmen. An AB de Villiers masterclass is never complete without a show of his immortality. Tonight it was a waist-high full toss that AB somehow managed to deposit on Chinnaswamy’s roof even as he took his eyes off the ball and one hand off the bat. This is a ground where defending totals is hard so you can never feel safe, but with Punjab middle-order low on confidence, Kohli would feel they have enough.

Last five overs today:

RCB : 80 runs (RR : 16.00)
AB de Villiers : 46 runs off 15 balls (SR : 306.67)

Most 50-plus scores against KXIP in IPL:

9 – David Warner
8 – Chris Gayle
7 – Gautam Gambhir, AB de Villiers*

After 20 overs,Royal Challengers Bangalore 202/4 ( AB de Villiers 82 , Marcus Stoinis 46)

Sheer carnage towards the end of RCB innings, Viljoen just seemed to have ran out of ideas, leaving R Ashwin fumming. RCB hammer 27 off the final over. Kings XI have made things difficult for them now, they need to score over 10 runs an over. Big ask but the likes of Gayle and Rahul could make things interesting.

SIX! There it goes. Stoinis finishes off with a six to propel RCB past the 200-run mark. Again in the hitting range for Stoinis, who prefers the long on region. Swings it across the line.

FOUR! This is turning out to be a mammoth over here. Viljoen has absolutely no control over his line or length. Full around the waist down the leg side and it is helped away for another four.

SIX! Poor from Hardus. Keeps bowling that length ball and that is simply asking for trouble. Stoinis clobbers it down the ground over long on for a bigge

FOUR! Stoinis swipes it away for a boundary. It was the full toss from Viljoen and he has worked it away to fine leg fence. They have gone past the 100-run past.

SIX! De Villiers will smack them all day long. Viljoen once again bowling the length ball. A gift for AB to free his arms and belt it over wide long on

After 19 overs,Royal Challengers Bangalore 175/4 ( AB de Villiers 75 , Marcus Stoinis 26)

The over started off with couple of plays and misses and Pooran failed to collect the deliveries cleanly leading to couple of byes but it was ABD show after that. Belting a hat-trick of sixes off Shami

SIX! Make that three in a row! High full toss from Shami and AB was first looking to smack the ball out of the park but seemed like he was taking evasive action in the end, trying get out of the way. He almost ended up fending it away onto the roof of the Chinnaswamy stadium. Jeez!

SIX! Action replay. Identical to the previous ball. Another biggie for AB! This one was timed better. Shami under pressure.

SIX! Shami’s idea was right to keep it wide of ABD but the slower delivery and the back of a length gave enough time for De Villiers to smack it over long off. He strikes it off the back foot. Throws his wieght back and smacks it

After 18 overs,Royal Challengers Bangalore 154/4 ( AB de Villiers 57 , Marcus Stoinis 26)

Viljoen’s over starts with a four and a monstrous six. De villiers’ presence forces couple of wide outside off stump. RCB go past 150 with a 16-run over.

SIX! Holy! De Villiers gives it his all. That’s outta here. Right in De Villiers’ arc and the ball has been banished over long on for a maximum

AB de Villiers’ last eight innings at Bangalore in IPL:

50* (and counting today), 25, 17, 63, 70*, 69, 68, 90*

FIFTY! Viljoen’s attempted yorker ends up in a low full toss and the line was also towards the leg side. ABD helps the ball away to fine leg boundary. Another fine innings but still some work expected from Mr. 360.

The margin for error is minuscule for the bowlers on this ground, especially against someone like AB who picks length so quickly. But Ravi Ashwin managed to get through his quota of four overs without conceding a single boundary.  A superlative effort from the Punjab captain.

After 17 overs,Royal Challengers Bangalore 138/4 ( AB de Villiers 46 , Marcus Stoinis 23)

Ashwin completes another excellent day at the office. He finishes with a economy rate of under four when he has bowled most of deliveries against the likes of AB de Villiers and Marcus Stoinis. De Villiers’ extravagant attempt of reverse scoop falls flat, but he made sure he had some part of his back leg behind the crease to survive for the last three overs.

After 16 overs,Royal Challengers Bangalore 133/4 ( AB de Villiers 45 , Marcus Stoinis 19)

Murugan Ashwin is brought on to bowl his final over. Couple of sixes in last two overs should hold RCB in good stead as they head in slog overs. M Ashwin’s final over is taken for 11 runs. RCB would still believe they can get to 180.

SIX! Never bowl that short to AB! Long hop from Murugan and De Villiers pulls powerfully over mid wicket. The ball was heading nowhere but deep in the stands.

AB is teeing off at the Chinnaswamy now. He has been extremely watchful through the middle overs but the reintroduction of friendly pace at hittable length from Rajpoot was all the invitation he needed to switch gears. RCB can get plenty here if AB and Stoinis stay till the end.

After 15 overs,Royal Challengers Bangalore 122/4 ( AB de Villiers 36 , Marcus Stoinis 17)

An over that KXIP had to get over with and an over RCB were targetting. Rajpoot ends the over well after conceding 11 runs off the first three balls, only two more runs added off the final three balls. He finishes his quota.

SIX! That has gone all the way! Again halfway down the pitch and AB has smoked this over mid wicket for a biggie! RCB faithful find their voices.

FOUR! Nothing delivery from Rajpoot. Delievered halfway down the track and ABD rocks back and pulls it to mid-wicket fence.

Rajpoot comes bacl to bowl his final over but hang on?? Nobody knows where the ball is. The umpire didn’t have it, the bowler is clueless. Bizarre scenes in the middle. The broadcasters seize the opportunity to fulfill some financial commitments.

Kings XI Punjab are tightening their stranglehold on the game. There is sustained pressure from both ends now. There were no boundaries between the 8th and the 13th over of the game. Stoinis finally broke the spell with a six over long-off. RCB need a lot more of those from the powerful Australian all rounder in the last six overs.

After 14 overs,Royal Challengers Bangalore 109/4 ( AB de Villiers 25 , Marcus Stoinis 15)

Change of ends from Murugan Ashwin. Stoinis picks up a flighted delivery to send it into the crowd. RCB collect 10 runs off the over and go past the 100-run mark in the 14th over. Time out taken.

SIX! After 49 deliveries, Stoinis breaks the shackles with a biggie. Tossed up leg break that is a little too full from M Ashwin is slammed over long off for a maximum by Stoinis.

DROPPED! Tough chance for Nicholas Poora and would be harsh to put it against him but what a terrific delivery from M Ashwin. The leg break lands on middle and off and turns sharply, ABD was looking to work the ball on the leg side, gets an outside edge from the closed blade and hits Pooran’s right thigh.

De Villiers dropped by Pooran on 23.

After 13 overs,Royal Challengers Bangalore 99/4 ( AB de Villiers 23 , Marcus Stoinis 7)

The rotation continues. viljoen is back on. Slowly but surely these two will have to start thinking about boundaries. It has been over six overs (39 balls precisely) since the last boundary for RCB. Only a solitary boundary since the fielding restrictions have been lifted. Another tidy over from KXIP’s perspective. Hat-trick of five-run overs.

After 12 overs,Royal Challengers Bangalore 94/4 ( AB de Villiers 21 , Marcus Stoinis 5)

R Ashwin continues from his end. R Ashwin with his bagful of tricks keeps the batsmen on their toes. He delivers a leg break to ABD, who isn’t trying anything fancy and simply taps the ball to short third for a single. Likewise Stoinis is happy to knock the ball around. Five runs from it.

RCB today:

First five overs : 52/1
Next five overs : 32/3

They also registered the second highest PP score of this season – 70/1.

After 11 overs,Royal Challengers Bangalore 89/4 ( AB de Villiers 18 , Marcus Stoinis 3)

It is the time for RCB to stabilise their innings. R Ashwin continues to remain proactive in the field and his bowling changes. Murugan Ashwin is back on in place of Viljoen. Only five runs from it.

RCB’s fortunes have nosedived in the space of 3 overs. It started with Parthiv’s dismissal in seventh over. Punjab capitalized on the opening by picking a wicket each in the next two overs. RCB have the cushion of runs to be watchful for a few overs here thanks to the Parthiv blitz at the start. Punjab have fought back well with the spinners. Ravi Ashwin, in particular, has shown his class by sowing a million seeds of doubts in the batsmen’s brain with his variations.

After 10 overs,Royal Challengers Bangalore 84/4 ( AB de Villiers 15 , Marcus Stoinis 1)

Marcus Stoinis strides out to the middle. The game can be divided into two halves. The Powerplay was completely dominated by the home side despite losing their captain in but since then KXIP have roared back strongly. R Ashwin slips in another good over, giving away only three singles.

After 9 overs,Royal Challengers Bangalore 81/4 ( AB de Villiers 13 , )

Viljoen replaces Murugan Ashwin and he too procures a wicket. RCB are sliding away here. Good start for Viljoen with the ball, only four runs and a wicket.

OUT! Nath undone by Viljoen’s well-disguised slower ball. It was the sucked ball outside off, drawing Nath forward, who only chips it to covers for the simplest of catches. KXIP right on top.

Akshdeep Nath c Mandeep b Viljoen 3(7)

Ashwins combine to pull things back for Kings XI

Getting the better of the Ashwins was always going to be biggest challenge for RCB batsmen. M & R have already picked up an important wicket each

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) April 24, 2019

After 8 overs,Royal Challengers Bangalore 77/3 ( AB de Villiers 11 , Akshdeep Nath 1)

Both the Ashwins begin with a wicket off their first over. This is good comeback from KXIP after the explosive innings by Parthiv Patel. Two quick wickets brings Akshdeep Nath in the middle. Responsibilty on ABD’s shoulder to  play the long innings.

OUT! R Ashwin gets the key wicket of Moeen Ali. It has gone straight through with the arm. Moeen played for the off-break but Ashwin’s delivery from round the stumps, pitches on off and holds its line. Ball thuds into the middle stump and Moeeen has been made to look stupid here. Big celebrations from KXIP captain. He is delighted and how!

Moeen Ali b Ashwin 4(5)

After 7 overs,Royal Challengers Bangalore 75/2 ( AB de Villiers 10 , Moeen Ali 4)

Murugan Ashwin’s breaks the second wicket stand taking the wicket of the dangerous Parthiv Patel, who played a sublime innings until he faltered against the googly. Moeen Ali joins ABD in the middle.

Parthiv was taking no prisoners tonight. The introduction of spin finally put an end to his inning but not before the micro master blaster had taken RCB off to a flier with some pure hitting. He judges length quickly and takes a clean swing at anything he finds in his hitting zone. He is single-handedly carrying RCB forward this season. In comes Moeen Ali for his last game of the season. He would be keen to make a mark here.

FOUR! Moeen Ali off a streaky start. The ball runs down the third man fence off a thick outside edge.

OUT! The change in the bowling attack has produced a much-needed wicket for the Kings XI. Murugan Ashwin bowls the wrong’un and Parthiv ends up closing the face of the bat rather too early, the ball spoons up after getting a leading edge to cover. Parthiv hangs his head low as he knows that he has to make the long walk back. He was batting so well. End of an enterprising innings.

Parthiv Patel c Ashwin b Murugan Ashwin 43(24)

After 6 overs,Royal Challengers Bangalore 70/1 ( Parthiv Patel (W) 43 , AB de Villiers 9)

Parthiv batting in top gear today. He has taken the full toll of the last over of the Powerplay. Shami on the recieving end of some ruthless treatment as his over is carted for 18 runs.

SIX! This is fabulous attacking batting. It is the pick up shot across the line to mid wicket fence for a maximum. It was length ball and Parthiv swings it across the line for a biggie.

FOUR! Little bit of width and Parthiv pounches on it. He is striking the ball so well here. Full and outside off from Shami and this has been scythed over covers

FOUR! Oops! Shami slips in a high full toss almost a no-ball and Parthiv has sliced this past point for another boundary. All eyes did hover towards square leg umpire but he was unmoved.

FOUR! BANG! Wow! That is high quality shot. Mohammed Shami from round the stumps, angles the ball in from wide of the crease. Parthiv gets on top of the bounce and cracks it wide and over mid off for a boundary.

After 5 overs,Royal Challengers Bangalore 52/1 ( Parthiv Patel (W) 25 , AB de Villiers 9)

Rajpoot continues to leak boundaries. RCB race past fifty in the fifth over. Parthiv is once again looking very solid in the middle. Rajpoot’s third over costs 14 runs.

SIX! Parthiv Patel spots the slower one that is bowled right in the slot and Parthiv slams it for a straight six. Easy runs.

FOUR! ABD collects his first boundary. Short of a good length from Rajpoot and De Villiers swipes it away through mid wicket for a boundary.

Barely a chance to catch your breath if you are the Chinnaswamy. Parthiv went after Rajpoot from the word go. Punjab had an indisciplined start with their seamers bowling too full or too wide and Rajpoot overstepping twice in a row. Hardus Viljoen committed the gravest sin on a cricket field of dropping Virat Kohli, but luckily for him and KXIP Virat gave another chance, and Mandeep made no mistakes on this occasion. RCB are still going at a healthy rate thanks for Mr consistent Parthiv Patel. On this pitch, they can’t afford to take their foot off the pedal, especially with the man called Universe Boss in the opposition side.

After 4 overs,Royal Challengers Bangalore 38/1 ( Parthiv Patel (W) 18 , AB de Villiers 2)

Shami nearly pulled off a Nitish Rana, by dismissing Kohli and new man AB De Villiers off consecutive deliveries. ABD so nearly chopped the ball back on to his wickets as he looked to cut a ball that was drifting into him. Good over from Shami, three runs and a wicket.

AB de Villiers has hit six fifties from his last nine innings at Bangalore in IPL. (479 runs, 53.22 average)

AB de Villiers has amassed 598 runs against KXIP from 18 innings at an average of 46.00.

OUT! Gone! Virat Kohli doesn’t hang around long. Shami gets his man. Back of a good length delivery outside off and Kohli aimed to drive it over the infield, miscues it big time. His bottom hand comes off and Mandeep Singh completes a simple catch at covers.

Kohli c Mandeep b Shami 13(8)

After 3 overs,Royal Challengers Bangalore 35/0 ( Parthiv Patel (W) 17 , Virat Kohli (C) 13)

Fairly long over from Rajpoot. Couple of no balls in over and a brief distraction caused by the swirling spidercam which upsets Parthiv, who makes sure everyone is aware of his displeasure. Eight runs from an eight ball over.

Parthiv Patel’s last six innings against KXIP in IPL:

19, 40*, 38, 37, 81, 59

FOUR! Another one for Parthiv. Has an affinity to play the pick up pull short and just as Rajpoot drops one shot he has directed it to fine leg fence.

After 2 overs,Royal Challengers Bangalore 27/0 ( Parthiv Patel (W) 12 , Virat Kohli (C) 12)

Rapid start for the Royal Challengers here. Remember they are playing without Dale Steyn and would require some extra runs in the bank but here both the openers are dealing in boundaries. Viljoen’s drop is looking as if it is going to cost dearly to the Punjab side. Mohammed Shami’s first over goes for 15.

FOUR! Shami slides it on Parthiv’s pads and that has been tickled away to fine leg fence. Superb start for the home side.

FOUR! Getting bad to worse for the visitors**.** Virat Kohli loves playing the cover drives and you know what the end result is more often than not. Successive fours.

FOUR! Kohli rubs salt to Shami’s wounds. Kohli punches it past point for a boundary. Very good looking shot from the RCB captain

DROPPED! Hardus Viljoen drops Kohli on three. It could have been a fantastic start for Mohammed Shami and Kings XI. Virat flicked it off his pads to Viljoen at midwicket, who absolutely makes a meal of it. Big miss this!

After 1 overs,Royal Challengers Bangalore 12/0 ( Parthiv Patel (W) 8 , Virat Kohli (C) 3)

A very positive start from the RCB openers, Parthiv Patel bashing couple of boundaries, taking the attack to Ankit Rajpoot while Kohli gets underway with a square drive for a brace. Ashwin looking to attack as well, placing two slips for his opposite number. Rajpoot hasn’t quite got the away shape to right-hander he is searching for.

FOUR! Thwacked down the ground! Almost took Kohli at the non-striker’s end. Parthiv showing early intent. Hitting straight and hard down the ground past mid off for successive boundaries.

Virat Kohli is one of the seven players to have scored 600-plus runs against KXIP in IPL. (619 runs, 30.95 average)

FOUR! Length ball that is slanted across Parthiv, who makes great use of the width present and slices it past point for the first boundary of the innings.

Amidst huge cheers at the Chinnaswamy Parthiv Patel and captain Virat Kohli walk out to the middle. Captain R Ashwin ensures he gets his field right. Ankit Rajppot will start the proceedings for Kings XI

Two teams that have everything to play for. RCB and KXIP find themselves in the lower half of the table. Kohli and Ashwin are two of the most intense competitors on the circuit, but curiously both of them just talked about having fun and enjoying themselves on the field. The pitch looks full of runs, and RCB would be disappointed to lose their good look charm, Dale Steyn, who bowled a brilliant first spell in their win against Chennai in the last match.

RCB finally pick the talented Washington Sundar who many of us think should have played more games. For Punjab, Sam Curran sits out to make way for Nicolas Pooran, another exciting West Indian, who somehow hasn’t made an impression in the IPL yet. Perhaps tonight could be his night.

RCB Playing 11 today

Royal Challengers Bangalore XI: Parthiv Patel(w), Virat Kohli(c), AB de Villiers, Marcus Stoinis, Akshdeep Nath, Moeen Ali, Washington Sundar, Tim Southee, Navdeep Saini, Umesh Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal

Dale Steyn is out with a niggle and Tim Southee replaces him**. Washington Sundar** replaces Pawan Negi

RCB have defeated KXIP in the last three clashes between the two teams in IPL.

RCB vs KXIP head to head

RCB have a 11-12 record against KXIP in IPL.

Kings XI playing 11 today

Kings XI Punjab XI: KL Rahul(w), Chris Gayle, Mayank Agarwal, David Miller, Mandeep Singh, Nicholas Pooran, Ravichandran Ashwin(c), Hardus Viljoen, Murugan Ashwin, Ankit Rajpoot, Mohammed Shami

Sam Curran gives way to Nicholas Pooran, and Ankit Rajpoot returns in place of Harpreet Brar

RCB vs KXIP toss result today

Toss: Kings XI Punjab win toss and R Ashwin has elected to field

On Sachin Tendulkar’s 46th birthday, revisit the Desert Storm in Sharjah that stands the test of time. Click here to read this birthday special piece by Shantanu Srivastava.

“I have worked very hard on my fitness in the last 12 months. I have lost a lot of weight. So I have made a lot of changes. As far as bowling improvements are concerned, I strongly believe that we need to constantly work on it. We need to regularly talk to coaches, mentors and should follow those tips,” Mohammed Shami told our correspondent Ujwal Singh in an interview. 

Click here to read the full interview.

Shane Watson’s controlled aggression helps him have the last laugh against Rashid Khan.

Shane Watson proved that a successful T20 batting masterpiece can have a soft intro that leads to a crescendo, a kind of abbreviated version of the Test style but with the same flow. Read more from Rajesh Tiwary on Watson here .

In action today is RCB’s Yuzvendra Chahal who has great chance of climbing up the purple cap list. Mohammed Shami and R Ashwin from KXIP will also look to break into top five. Check out full list here .

Here’s the IPL 2019’s updated Purple cap list

David Warner has been terrific with the bat in IPL 2019. He holds the pole position in the Orange Cap list. 

Below is the updated list of players in contention of Orange Cap. Click here to see the full list. 

Chennai Super Kings are back to their winning ways with a good win against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Tuesday night. They get back to top of the table with 16 points and are almost through to the playoffs.

Below is the updated points table after the last night’s match. 

Although AB de Villiers and Kohli did not click with the bat in their last game, their failures would prompt them to put up a big total for the Royal Challengers at home against KXIP.

Read the RCB vs KXIP match preview here .

Today’s IPL match live blog between RCB vs KXIP 

Hello and welcome to the coverage of Match No 42 between RCB and KXIP. Virat Kohli’s team confidence will be up after pulling off a nervy 1-run victory against Chennai Super Kings. On the other hand, Punjab look for another two points to make sure they inch closer to the last-four. ​