CRICKET – ROYAL Challengers Bengaluru raced to their first Indian Premier League final since 2016 with an eight-wicket pounding of Punjab Kings in a lopsided Qualifier 1 yesterday, reports Timesnownews.com
Punjab Kings’ ultra-aggressive approach backfired on the day as RCB skittled out the home team for 101 in 14.1 overs.
RCB, who are yet to win the IPL despite reaching three finals (2009, 2011, 2016) since the league’s inception in 2008, gunned down the small target in 10 overs courtesy a belligerent fifty from opener Phil Salt (56 not out off 27).
With a near perfect performance, RCB marched to the title clash scheduled in Ahmedabad on Tuesday. Punjab Kings, who reached the play-offs for the first time since 2014, will get another shot at reaching the final in Qualifier 2 in Ahmedabad on Sunday.
The home team batters found it difficult to hit through the line but it seemed Salt was batting on a different surface, collecting boundaries for fun.