IPL 2021: 'Giant Slayer' Harpreet Brar dismisses Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell and AB de Villiers in 7 balls

Punjab Kings (PBKS) spinner Harpreet Brar may not have been the most well-known player in the team’s lineup for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 league encounter against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). There is a very slim possibility of that happening now, following his heroics during the course of the match. The 25-year-old accounted for the dismissals of Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell and AB de Villiers in just seven deliveries, which is extraordinary, to say the least.

Brar had not recorded a single wicket in the cash-rich league till this game, despite having played three matches. Two appearances were registered in the 2019 season with one game in the 2020 edition. However, the spinner has certainly got the most envious opening three wickets in the cash-rich league now with Kohli, Maxwell and De Villiers dismissed.

Kohli and Maxwell dismissed off consecutive deliveries

The RCB skipper tried going down the pitch, with a premeditated whip across the line. The ball sneaked through, going on to uproot the leg-stump. Brar got his maiden IPL wicket in the form of Kohli, just like Jasprit Bumrah. However, the spinner followed that up with a supreme delivery to dismiss Maxwell off the next ball. The Australian misread the length completely, staying flat-footed as the ball spun away to hit the outside of off-stump beautifully. Brar bowled a double-wicket maiden, leaving De Villiers in two minds with his variations in line and length.

The spinner dismissed the South African off the first delivery of his second over, following a short delivery which stuck a bit in the pitch. De Villiers attempted to slap the delivery for some quick runs, hitting the ball straight down the throat of KL Rahul, who was fielding at short cover. Brar finished his spell of four overs, with 19 runs conceded at an economy rate of 4.80.

RCB failed to recover from the dismissals of their top batsmen, losing the game by a margin of 34 runs. PBKS have now recorded their third win in IPL 2021, with the Bangalore-based franchise registering its second defeat in the ongoing edition. Rahul will certainly be pleased, following a rare win for the franchise from Punjab.