Royal Challengers Bangalore defeated Punjab Kings by 5 runs in the 48th match of the IPL 2021 & have qualified for the playoffs. After the win, Bangalore captain Virat Kohli said, "Qualification feels amazing. I don't think after 2011, we haven't done it with games to spare, but it's a great position to be in. Eight wins out of 12 games is a great campaign for the team. Now we have two more opportunities to finish in the top two and that gives the added motivation to play even more fearlessly. The first huddle for any team is qualification."

"15-20 runs on this ground can be crucial, we have to plug in those areas. There's a qualifier and eliminator to be played here. As a side, we have had an endeavour to improve, in losses as well as wins. We knew the wicket would get slower and slower, it's not going to be easy to hit."

"KL and Mayank batted really well, but we knew we were just two wickets from coming back into the game. Our bowlers came back brilliantly and held their composure brilliantly. Look, the resurgence of Siraj ever since he has succeeded in Test cricket, his body language has been different, that's what I keep telling guys. You can bowl in any format. Harshal's inclusion has been outstanding. Yuzi has bowled well and Shahbaz has been great. This year the guys have taken the ownership and responsibility."

Brief Score:

Royal Challengers Bangalore- 164/7 in 20 overs. (Maxwell - 57(33), Padikkal - 40(38), Henriques - 3/12, Shami - 3/39)

Punjab Kings - 158-6 in 20 overs. (Agarwal - 57(42), KL Rahul - 39(35), Chahal - 3/29)
Full Scorecard