IPL 2022, Punjab Kings vs Royal Challengers Bangalore: Smith, Shahrukh sizzle after top order sets tone for Punjab's 5-wicket win against RCB

Punjab Kings had made their intentions clear at the IPL auction table, adding batting depth and muscle needed to chase down big targets. On Sunday, Punjab Kings found the perfect opportunity to test their new recruits while chasing 206 against Royal Challengers Bangalore at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. AS IT HAPPENED | SCORECARD | POINTS TABLEThey ticked most of the boxes with the top-order batters getting to fluent starts, and the middle order quickly recovering from a mini collapse, to pull off a sensational five-wicket win with an over to spare. Punjab got off to a solid 71-run start from the new opening pair of Mayank Agarwal (32) and Shikhar Dhawan (43) before Sri Lankan Bhanuka Rajapaksa stroked a fiery 22-ball 43.

While Mohammed Siraj's twin blows halted Punjab's march for a while, Shahrukh Khan (24 not out off 20 balls) and Odean Smith (25 not out off 8 balls) ensured the side did not face any more hiccups. Earlier, Faf du Plessis overcame a sedate start to slam his eighth half century against the Kings, and power his side to a formidable 205 for 2. In the run-up to the tournament, Virat Kohli had rated his successor as an able captain, and the 37-yearold justified his elevation as the captain of the franchise.

The former South Africa captain's knock had all the ingredients of a master craftsman's ability to change gears at will, as he renewed his rivalry with Punjab with a destructive 88 off 57 balls, dealing mostly in sixes. Kohli was content playing second fiddle to the Proteas batter, who raced to his fifty with consecutive maximums off Odean Smith. Shahrukh gave a life to Faf when he was on seven, but eventually made up for the dropped chance with a fine running catch to dismiss the right-hander