RCB vs PBKS, 27th Match at Mohali, IPL, Apr 20 2023 - Match Result

7:27pm Right. That will be that from us for this game. The Delhi Capitals, though, are lining up to play the Kolkata Knight Riders later in the evening, and make sure you join us for that match as well. Until next time, this is me (Shashwat) signing off on behalf of Ranjith, Thilak and everyone else at ESPNcricinfo! Goodbye and take care!

Mohammed Siraj, Player of the Match: (On Taide's wicket) The first ball was a little short. Then, I tried to bowl a little fuller because I was getting shape. If I pick wickets in the powerplay, the opposition is put under pressure. The lockdown was very important for me. I was quite down before that because I used to be expensive earlier. I focussed on my gym training, on my bowling and I wanted to do well. Even in the ODIs, my rhythm was good, my confidence was high and I have brought that into this season of the IPL. I am a good fielder; I just make a few mistakes once in a while (smiles). I always try to keep improving on every aspect so that I can remain a part of the team.

Virat Kohli, Royal Challengers Bangalore captain: This (win) does not make us an invincible team or the league position before today did not make us a bad team. The table cannot define your mood, when you have just played five or six games. Maintain our processes and stay in the moment. In the first half, the conditions changed drastically. Faf batted outstandingly well. We thought of extending our partnership for as long as possible so that it could give us an extra 20 runs. After overs 7-8, as soon as the ball was getting bashed into the square, the ball really started getting scuffed up. We changed our strategy then to bat deeper. Had we stayed in, we could have given a crack at 190-200. We felt 175 was a good score on this pitch. I told them that was more than enough. All we had to do was be confident and hold the ball in hand looking to get wickets. The way you win games in T20 cricket is by taking wickets. At the half-way stage, the idea was to take the game to the opposition in the first six overs. We broke the game open right there and our fielding was brilliant as well.

Sam Curran, Punjab Kings captain: (On the score) I thought we bowled really well as a group. The way Faf and Virat played was good. I did not think they got away from us too much. In the end, we just did not bat well enough. They bowled pretty well as well but we lost wickets. The conditions were quite strange as well. we thought it would rain at one stage, with all the lightning and thunder. (On the pitch) It was a really good wicket with good-sized boundaries, you want a fair contest between bat and ball. Just a couple of things with the bat that we might regret but we move on to Saturday. The games come thick and fast, so it is about learning from this.

Wanindu Hasaranga: When we were batting first, I saw the wicket gripping so I tried to bowl my wicket-taking options every time. (On the run out) That was unbelievable. RCB is always a good franchise and I am enjoying very much.

7:03pm The scoreboard might say that RCB have won this game by 24 runs but it was full of twists and turns. Siraj breathed fire in the powerplay and accounted for Livingstone and Taide, with Short falling to Hasaranga. Prabhsimran, though, continued on his merry way, putting the bowlers under pressure whenever he could. That ploy to keep attacking, however, ultimately backfired as PBKS simply did not have enough wickets in hand towards the end. Jitesh tried his best to keep his side afloat but could not get them past the finish line.

While PBKS were a little reckless with their stroke-play, RCB must be lauded for how they bowled. Their bowling changes worked, and it started right in the powerplay when Kohli brought Hasaranga on. Siraj was used as a partnership-breaker and they held their nerve just when it mattered at the end.

26 needed off 12 and it is now all down to Jitesh

Ellis is the new batter in

Harshal to bowl the 17th over

This game is perhaps on a knife-edge. PBKS have the run-rate in control but only have three wickets to work with. RCB, thus, would know that if they can get the better of Jitesh, they will be very likely winners. Everything to play for in these last four overs!