Leader Online Desk: Punjab Kings (PBKS) became the second team to exit the playoff race. Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) defeated PBKS by 60 runs in Dharamsala on 9 May to end their challenge in the tournament.
Virat Kohli's bat wreaked havoc at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium and played a key role in PBKS' defeat. Virat scored 92 runs off 47 balls and hit seven fours and six sixes in the process. King Kohli has rained runs in the 17th season of IPL. This performance of his will be a good side for Team India in the upcoming T20 World Cup.
Meanwhile, along with the bat, Kohli has dominated the field with his agile fielding. In Thursday's match, he gave PBKS's star batsman Shashank Singh a run-out with his perfect direct throw to give the whole match a different twist. Which paved the way for RCB's victory.
Kohli was adjudged Player of the Match for his brilliant batting and strong fielding. Punjab Kings co-owner Preity Zinta was present when Kohli stepped forward to accept the award. At that time, Kohli was seen apologizing to Preity Zinta for Punjab Kings' loss before receiving the trophy. The video and photo of the conversation between the two is going viral on social media.
No team has yet qualified for the playoffs of IPL (IPL 2024). However, the door to the playoffs is not completely closed for RCB. It is believed that this team can still reach the playoffs. But they will have to win all the next matches and depend on the defeat of other teams. Meanwhile, two teams, Mumbai Indians and Punjab Kings, have dropped out of the race. Punjab have failed to reach the IPL playoffs for the tenth consecutive season.
— ISHN (@Deshdrohit) May 9, 2024
