So that’s it from this game! Bangalore lose and Punjab put up a strong display to move up to fifth place. The action continues on Saturday, 1st May 2021 as Chennai will be facing off against Mumbai in Delhi. A mouth-watering clash. Do join us at 1930 IST (1400 GMT). Until then, cheers and take care!

HARPREET BRAR IS THE MAN OF THE MATCH! He says that his family members will be happy with his performance and it is their blessings, which is why he is here. Adds that the bowler has the chance to get the comeback and he just thought about the same. Says that his first wicket in the League was of Kohli, which was brilliant. Says that he had it on his mind to just hit the balls, when he was batting. 

KL Rahul, the Punjab skipper, says that he is happy with how Brar bowled and also with how he batted. Adds that he has been trying to speak to the boys and just pass on his learnings to the young guys and it is important for him to support his boys, as a skipper. On batting against Bangalore, Rahul says that there is nothing in particular and they have played them in must-win games the last 4 times and he wants to perform in these clutch games. Feels that having Gayle out there with him is wonderful and he just keeps getting better and better and he looks hungry out there, whenever he plays for Punjab. 

Virat Kohli, the Bangalore skipper says that Punjab got off to a decent start but they pulled things nicely but gave away a lot of runs in the end. States they got away from their plans and concentrated more on what the batters are doing which cost them. Adds Punjab bowled really well and did not give a lot away but as batters, they could have tried something different. Admits it was difficult to hit through the line. Mentions the composition of his team is such that Patidar can control the innings at number 3 and Maxi at 4 and ABD at 5 has worked for them and it gives them more balance. States they gave away 25 runs too many in the end with just one batter out there and even with the bat they batted a little too slow and it could have been a lot worse had Jamieson and Patel not struck some meaty blows.

Earlier in the day, after being inserted, Punjab were off to a flier courtesy of Gayle and Rahul. There was a collapse in between but the partnership between Brar and Rahul took them to 179 which was enough in the end.

Chris Jordan is in for a chat! He says it is a great win, they know every game is important and they wanted to win today. States it is nice to push the 140 KPH but he did not concentrate a lot on that and just wants to do well for his side. Adds when they got to 179 they were very happy as at one stage they would have taken 150 to 160 but they still needed to bowl well and they did and they were a little bit untidy towards the end and they need to work on it. Adds runs on the board give the bowlers a boost. If the batters get it wrong, the bowlers try to bail them out and the batting tries to do the same if the bowling does not work and that’s how a team is built.

The Punjab bowling was excellent right from the word go. They kept it tight in the Powerplay and then later on the spinners did their job. Brar was without any doubt the pick as he finished with a three-fer but have to say, it was a combined effort from the bowlers.

They needed just under 120 in the last 10 and just as it was time for Kohli and Rajat to up the ante, the skipper fell, and then the procession began. They were 5 down in no time and it was an uphill task from there and they have fallen well short of the target in the end.

A thumping win for Punjab! 180 was always going to be tough on this wicket and Bangalore did not start all that well as they lost Padikkal early. Kohli and Patidar then built a partnership but it was very slow going.

The physio is out in the middle, having a look at Riley Meredith, as he is down in pain! It seems that Riley Meredith is off the pitch and Mohammed Shami will complete the over.