IPL: RCB pip Kings XI to record first win

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) got their IPL campaign underway with a tense four-wicket win over Kings XI Punjab in Bangalore. After defeat in their opening game, Virat Kohli’s men got home in the dying stages on Friday’s game.

Opener KL Rahul stroked 47 (30 balls; 2x4s, 4x6s) and skipper Ravichandran Ashwin made 33 (21 balls; 3x4s, 1×6) in Kings XI’s 155 all out, with Umesh Yadav getting 3-23, and Chris Woakes, Washington Sundar and Kulwant Khejroliya taking two apiece.

Opener Quinton de Kock gave RCB a rousing start with 45 (34 balls; 7x4s, 1×6), but it was AB de Villiers who made the difference in the run-chase, as wickets fell regularly in the middle and death overs.

The South African cracked 57 off 40 balls (2x4s, 4x6s) to take RCB close to the target, before Sundar took them over the line with a boundary and three balls to spare. Ashwin took 2-30.

The IPL will continue this weekend with four games. On Saturday, Mumbai Indians and Delhi Daredevils face off at 06:30h and Kolkata Knights Riders collide with Sunrisers Hyderabad at 10:30h. 

On Sunday, RCB play Rajasthan Royals at 06:30h and Kings XI Punjab take on Chennai Super Kings at 10:30h. Of course, you can catch all the action live on E2.