Lucknow Super Giants skipper Rishabh Pant finally delivered what was expected of him right from the start of the season. The mercurial southpaw hammered a spectacular century that saw his team post an impressive 227-3.
However, his effort went in vain as Royal Challengers Bengaluru, requiring a win to make the Top-2, attained the target with six wickets and eight balls to spare, thanks to a superb half-century by Virat Kohli, followed by a brilliant century partnership between stand-in skipper Jitesh Sharma and Mayank Agarwal that helped RCB snatch a win from the jaws of defeat in a dramatic manner.
RCB’s Virat Kohli during his 30-ball 54 yesterday
With this win, RCB finished in second spot and will play toppers Punjab Kings in Qualifier 1 in New Chandigarh on Thursday, while the Eliminator 1 will feature Gujarat Titans against Mumbai Indians at the same venue on Friday.
The last league match of the IPL turned out to be a battle between the rival captains, Pant and Sharma. Pant scored a superb century (118 off 61 balls with 11 fours and eight sixes), though too late for his already eliminated team. However, Sharma hogged the limelight for his unbeaten 85 off just 33 balls. While chasing, Kohli gave RCB a fine start, collecting 54 off 30 balls to lay the foundation. Agarwal and Sharma then carried the battle forward as they sent the listless LSG bowlers to all parts of the ground.
LSG’s Rishabh Pant celebrates his century. Pics/AFP
Luck also favoured RCB as Sharma, who was caught off a no-ball by Vignesh Rathi, hammered the next ball for a six to complete his half-century. A couple of balls later, Vignesh ran out Sharma at the non-striker’s end, but Pant sportingly withdrew the appeal.
Brief scores
LSG 227-3 in 20 overs (R Pant 118*, M Marsh 67) lost to RCB 230-4 in 18.4 overs (J Sharma 85*, V Kohli 54, M Agarwal 41*, P Salt 30; Will O’Rourke 2-74) by 6 wickets
