Maxwell, Chahal star in RCB's 6-run win over Punjab, seal playoffs berth

SHARJAH: Riding on impressive performances by Glenn Maxwell (57 off 33) and Yuzvendra Chahal (3/29), Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) beat Punjab Kings by six runs in the 48th match of the IPL 2021 and sealed the playoffs berth, at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, here on Sunday.

With this win, RCB, who now have 16 points, joined Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals in the playoffs. For the second consecutive season, the Virat Kohli-led RCB have made it to the last-four stage.

It will now be a four-way battle between Punjab Kings, Kolkata Knight Riders, Mumbai Indians, and Rajasthan Royals for fourth place in the points table.

Chasing a challenging total for victory, openers KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal came all guns blazing and gave Punjab Kings a solid start. The duo didn't allow RCB bowlers to put pressure on them and took Punjab to 49/0 after 6 overs.

Shahbaz Ahmed, in the 12th over of the innings, provided the much-needed breakthrough after he dismissed Rahul. The Punjab skipper scored 39 off 35 and added 91 runs for the opening stand with Mayank.

Continuing his brilliant form, Mayank then smashed his fifty in 36 balls. But, he was not getting support from the other end. Nicholas Pooran, who came to bat next, couldn't do much and got out to Yuzvendra Chahal for only 3 runs.

This was the 5th match in a row that RCB failed to pick a wicket in the powerplay. They haven't been able to do it since the resumption of the IPL in the UAE.

Earlier in the day, openers Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal gave Royal Challengers Bangalore a flying start. The duo played some beautiful shots and took RCB to 55/0 at the end of the powerplay.

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