Formidable Royal Challengers Bangalore led by India captain Virat Kohli became first team to be thrown out of contention for play-offs after a humiliating 61 -run defeat against Rising Pune Supergiant in an Indian Premier League encounter, here today.
Pawan Negi (32) played a 19-ball cameo but Gujarat Lions conceded just 73 runs while picking five wickets in the final 10 overs to restrict Bangalore to 134 before they were bowled out. Apart from Kohli, who came up with an uncharacteristic 48-ball-55, studded with four boundaries and a six, none of the other RCB batsmen could reach the double-digit mark.
Gujarat won the toss and chose to field first.
Kohli, as expected, was extremely disappointed with his team's performance.
Royal Challengers Bangalore have now been bowled out three time in the IPL this season.
To chase an easy target of 158 runs, captain Kohli and Travis Head, who replaced Chris Gayle in this game, came into bat.
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"I think it's for everyone to see we lost that game", saidVirat Kohli in the post-match presentation ceremony. The surprising thing in all this is how the entire team is just not able to crack the mystery of their below-par performance. We are aware and will try to keep them in the form they are in at the moment. It's lack of intent by the guys, fearful of getting out after failing and that's never a good feeling. He was well supported by South African spinner Imran Tahir as the RPS bowlers seemingly did as they pleased.
That means Royal Challengers could still lose another one - they have a game each against the two top teams of the tournament - and yet potentially make it without even relying on net run rates.
♦ DD do not win more than four matches from their remaining 7 matches.
Tripathi was dropped by Kohli early on in his innings and he made the Royal Challengers pay as he scored 37 from 28 deliveries. But the 26-year old has also had to make up for his partner's struggles. Making an impression as quickly as possible is the need of the hour since there is no guarantee that the said player will ever get a second chance.
Tiwary, as he has done often this season, was on hand to give the required push towards the back-end of Pune's innings as he made an unbeaten 44 from 35 deliveries.
Despite three 40-plus partnerships, Pune batsmen simply failed to get going, even as the bowlers maintained a consistent line and length to tightened the noose.
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