Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) were clinical with the ball in the first half of their Qualifier 1 match against Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh. After winning the toss, RCB’s bowling attack shredded PBKS’ top order, sending seven hitters back to the pavilion before the ninth over. The next victim of the collapse was Nehal Wadhera, whose expulsion by Yash Dayal brought a stop to Punjab’s dreadful powerplay.

With PBKS at 38 for 4, Wadhera was responsible for stabilising the innings. In the seventh over, facing Dayal, the southpaw attempted to use the tempo and hammered a drive off a short delivery. However, the delivery was pitched just outside off, hitting the inner edge of his bat and crashing into the leg stump.

Nehal Wadhera went for 8 off 10 balls, leaving Punjab with only 50 on the board.

Both RCB and PBKS entered this match looking for their first IPL triumph after years of disappointment in the competition. While RCB went undefeated in all of their road games this season, PBKS made the playoffs for the first time in 11 years under Shreyas Iyer and Ricky Ponting. Bengaluru’s bowlers caused problems for the opposition bowlers right away.

Dayal struck early, dismissing Priyansh Arya with a catch at cover by Krunal Pandya. Josh Hazlewood returned to the XI and dismissed Shreyas Iyer and Josh Inglis in quick succession, taking advantage of the bounce. Hazlewood’s statistics at one time were 1.1 overs, two wickets for four runs.

Suyash Sharma, a leg spinner, has been on fire, dismissing three PBKS batters in two overs, including a double wicket over. Meanwhile, at the end of the 11th over, PBKS’ scoreboard read 78/8. The Rajat Patidar-led squad will be attempting to finish the tail and drop the home team’s total to below par in order to advance to the playoffs.