Sam Curran, the stand-in captain for Punjab Kings (PBKS), made a crucial breakthrough by dismissing Rajat Patidar just before the rain interval in their IPL 2024 clash with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at Dharamsala on Thursday, May 9.
Rajat Patidar had just hit his half-century and intended to keep batting with purpose. He launched his bat at Sam Curran’s wide delivery, hoping to send the ball behind the point region. However, the batsman only managed an underedge, and wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow made a routine catch.
Sam Curran was ecstatic following the ejection, and he let Rajat Patidar know it. Here is the video of the dismissal:
Patidar hit 55 runs in just 23 balls, with three boundaries and six sixes. He scored 76 runs with Virat Kohli for the second wicket in just 32 balls.
Punjab Kings could have had Virat Kohli dismissed for a duck
One of the primary reasons why PBKS surrendered 119 runs in 10 overs was a failure to capitalize on fielding opportunities. Debutant Vidhwath Kaverappa was outstanding with the new ball and should have had top RCB batsman Virat Kohli for his first IPL wicket.
Virat Kohli was dropped twice by Punjab fielders Ashutosh Sharma and Rilee Rossouw, both from Kaverappa’s bowling. The teenager took the wickets of Faf du Plessis and Will Jacks, but he might have also had Rajat Patidar if Harshal Patel hadn’t lost a sitter at fine leg.
Kaverappa’s stats of 2/36 do not do justice to his debut, but they are the one bright spot in an otherwise poor performance on the field. With 119/3 on the board and 10 overs remaining, RCB will look for Kohli to score big and build up a massive first-innings total.
