IPL 2021: Yuzvendra Chahal's three-wicket haul helps RCB beat PBKS, seal playoffs berth

Yuzvendra Chahal is sending a strong statement of intent out to selectors having been not included in India’s squad for the T20 World Cup 2021, which is set to be held soon in the UAE. Chahal accounted for a three-wicket haul to help Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) pull off a triumph by a margin of six runs against Punjab Kings (PBKS) in an IPL 2021 encounter. The spinner helped account for the vital dismissals of Mayank Agarwal, Nicholas Pooran and Sarfaraz Khan while defending a total of 165, which certainly had a sizeable impact on the final scoreline. Harshal Patel and Mohammed Siraj were quite economical with their spells, which was invaluable from RCB’s viewpoint. The Bangalore-based franchise has qualified for the playoffs yet again with this triumph, and will be eager to win a maiden league title this season.

“I just believe in me”

“I just believe in me. That’s what I was missing in the first half. I have just backed my strength and just varied my line today. On this wicket, 160 is a very good score. We knew if we got early wickets, we could get them. In the middle overs, we decided to go more for dot balls. (On Mayank) He’s a great batsman and it’s always challenging to bowl to him. I didn’t want to give him loose balls. Wanted him to hit boundaries if he could. We had a good momentum. After the first two games, we have bounced back well. Batting, bowling and fielding. We are just focused on taking it game by game,” said Chahal as quoted by Cricinfo.

Mayank was the top run-getter for PBKS, accumulating 57 runs off 42 deliveries in an innings comprising of six boundaries and two sixes. Skipper KL Rahul was the second leading run-scorer, with 39 runs from 35 balls in a knock which included a four and two maximums.

“Harshal’s inclusion has been outstanding”

“Feels amazing. After 2011, we haven’t done it with games to spare. Eight wins out of 12 games is a great campaign. We have two more opportunities to finish in the top two. Should give us motivation to play even more fearlessly. When you don’t have any wickets on the scoreboard, you can take more risks. Which myself and Dev [Padikkal] have to. 15-20 runs on this ground can be crucial. We have to plug those areas,” said Kohli after the win.

“As a side, we have had an endeavour to improve, whether in losses or wins. We knew the wicket would get slower and slower. KL and Mayank batted really well, but we knew we were just two wickets from coming back into the game. (On the bowlers) The resurgence of Siraj, ever since he has done well in Test cricket. Harshal’s inclusion has been outstanding. Yuzi has chipped in, as has Shahbaz. Garton has come in. If the players don’t step up, then the campaign goes off track,” he added.

It will be interesting to see if RCB can win their maiden edition of the IPL this season.