IPL 2022: PBKS boost playoff hopes after Livingstone and Bairstow fireworks against RCB in 54-run win

Punjab Kings came out all guns blazing to hammer Royal Challengers Bangalore by 54 runs in Match 60 of IPL 2022 at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai on Friday, May 13. With the big win, Punjab Kings have boosted their chances of reaching the playoffs while hurting the hopes of RCB.

Mayank Agarwal's PBKS have moved to the 6th spot with 12 points from 12 matches while RCB are still at the 4th spot with 14 points from 13 matches but with a negative net Run rate that will hurt their chances if there is a tie on 14 points for the playoffs spots.

Chasing a mammoth total of 210, RCB's innings never got going after former captain Virat Kohli got out for 20 off 14 deliveries in an unfortunate manner. Kohli looked brisk as he came out with a positive attitude and hit 2 boundaries and a six to get things underway for the former finalists.

RCB vs PBKS, IPL 2022 Highlights

KOHLI, RCB FAIL TO SHINE

However, Kohli was dismissed by Kagiso Rabada in the 4th over. The South Africa bowler was on top of his game for PBKS on Saturday. The right-arm fast bowler finished with figures of 3/21. Rishi Dhawan, who came into PBKS mix only in the 2nd half of the season, proved his worth with the ball, picking up 2 crucial wickets of that of RCB captain Faf du Plessis (10) and young Mahipal Lomror.

RCB slipped to 44/3 in the powerplay and despite a 60-run stand between the highly-rated Rajat Patidar (26 from 21) and Glenn Maxwell(35 off 22), they were not able to even get close to the target. RCB managed only 155 and lost 9 wickets in their quota of 20 overs, losing by a mammoth margin of 54 runs. RCB's 2-match winning run came to an untimely end.

Jonny Bairstow led the charge for Punjab Kings with a 29-ball 66 after Royal Challengers Bangalore captain Faf du Plessis won the toss and decided to bowl. This was Jonny Bairstow's second successive half-century and he was involved in a rapid 60-run partnership with Shikhar Dhawan (21 off 15).

Jonny Bairstow's English teammate Liam Livingstone (70 off 42) also joined in the party on a flat pitch and smashed his fourth fifty of the season as PBKS finished with 209 for 9 off 20 overs.

RCB's bowlers suffered at the hands of Jonny Bairstow and Liam Livingstone but Wanindu Hasaranga was exceptional. He finished with 2 for 15 off 4 overs and now has the joint most wickets with Yuzvendra Chahal in IPL 2022.

Meanwhile, Josh Hazlewood leaked 64 runs off his 4 overs to register the joint most expensive spell this season with Marco Jansen of Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Harshal Patel was also brilliant for Royal Challengers Bangalore and he finished with figures of 4 for 34 off his 4 overs. His four wickets were Mayank Agarwal, PBKS's top-scorer Liam Livingstone, Harpreet Brar and Rishi Dhawan.

Had it not been for the efforts of Harshal Patel, the Purple Cap winner in 2021 and Wanindu Hasaranga, the current Purple Cap holder in 2022, PBKS would have got a lot more than their eventual total.

THE JONNY-LIAM SHOW

Jonny Bairstow had started the season poorly but he is now well and truly back in form for Punjab Kings. After a quick 56 against Rajasthan Royals last Saturday, Jonny Bairstow smashed a 29-ball 66 against Rajasthan Royals on a flat Brabourne pitch.

After electing to bowl, RCB captain Faf du Plessis saw Jonny Bairstow destroy his bowlers with 4 fours and 7 sixes to hammer 66 off only 29 balls before he fell to Shahbaz Ahmed. He started the carnage against Josh Hazlewood in the second over before turning his attention to the rest of the bowling line-up.

Meanwhile, Jonny Bairstow's opening partner Shikhar Dhawan hit 2 fours and a six to score 21 off 15 before falling to Glenn Maxwell after. The two added 60 for the opening wicket off just 5 overs.

Bhanuka Rajapaksa lasted just three balls and fell to Wanindu Hasaranga as RCB tried to mount a fightback after a frenetic start from the PBKS openers.

Liam Livingstone joined Jonny Bairstow at a point when PBKS threatened to run away towards a massive score but the RCB spinners Wanindu Hasaranga and Shahbaz Ahmed applied the brakes.

Shahbaz Ahmed snared the dangerous Bairstow who got a thick edge to a wide ball and was caught by Mohammed Siraj at backward point.

However, Jonny Bairstow's England teammate Liam Livingstone continued to attack as PBKS raced towards a challenging total.

PBKS skipper Mayank Agarwal hit 19 off 16 balls but he was sent back by Harshal Patel in the 15th over leaving Jitesh Sharma to launch final assault for PBKS with Liam Livingstone.

Wanindu Hasaranga did not let Jitesh stay at the crease for too long - he charged down the track to the RCB leg-spinner and missed a wrong'un. On a night when all the RCB bowlers leaked runs on a batting friendly pitch, Hasaranga returned spectacular figures of 2 for 15 off his 4 overs and joined Yuzvendra Chahal at the top in the battle for the Purple Cap.

Meanwhile, PBKS lost Harpreet Brar to Harshal Patel but Liam Livingstone brought up his fourth fifty of the season.

Harshal Patel was brilliant for RCB in the death overs and finished with four wickets including that of Livingstone for 70 off 42 balls.

Punjab Kings, thanks to Liam Livingstone and Jonny Bairstow, reached 209 for 9 off their 20 overs.