IPL 2021, Match 48: RCB vs PBKS, Stats Review: KL Rahul, Glenn Maxwell go to new milestones as RCB qualify for playoffs

Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals, you have company! Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) became the third team to qualify for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 playoffs. Virat Kohli’s men defeated Punjab Kings by six runs to secure their spot. It was a team effort from RCB with contributions coming in from different parts. At the same time, PBKS’ hopes of going to the next stage are all but over.

Speaking of the game, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) elected to bat after winning the toss. Skipper Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal justified the decision by playing some brilliant shots in the powerplay overs. The duo added 68 runs for the first wicket, setting a great platform for the batters to come. However, PBKS bounced back at this period and the scoring rate went down.

Nevertheless, Glenn Maxwell joined forces with AB de Villiers and the duo gave RCB some late impetus. The former scored a half-century as RCB posted 164-7 in their allotted 20 overs. PBKS’ chase started off nicely with KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal attacking bowlers from the outset. However, like RCB’s innings, momentum shifted after the first wicket went down.

PBKS’ middle order couldn’t come to the party and RCB regained command. While Shahrukh Khan and Aiden Markram did play some big shots in the end overs, PBKS were restricted to 158/6 losing the game by six runs.

Meanwhile, here are the important stats and numbers from the RCB vs PBKS clash in IPL 2021:

3 – RCB became the third team after Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals to qualify for IPL 2021 playoffs.

164 – Royal Challengers Bangalore posted 164/7, the highest team score at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in IPL 2021.

38 – Yuzvendra Chahal is now the joint-highest wicket-taker in IPL in UAE alongside Jasprit Bumrah (38 wickets).

2 – KL Rahul became the second player after Ruturaj Gaikwad to complete 500 runs in IPL 2021. With 528 runs, he’s also the new holder of the orange cap.

22 – Rahul’s tally of 22 sixes is also the most by any player this season. Gaikwad holds second place with 20 sixes.

4 – Rahul also became the second player after David Warner to score over 500 runs in four consecutive IPL seasons.

3/12 – Moises Henriques recorded his best figures in this game, 3/12.

14 – AB de Villiers got run out for the 14th time in IPL. Only Shikhar Dhawan (16), Gautam Gambhir (15), and Suresh Raina (15) have endured more run-outs in the competition.

18 – Mohammed Shami now has 18 wickets in IPL 2021, third-most for any bowler. Only Avesh Khan (18) and Harshal Patel (26) are ahead of him on this list.

3 – Glenn Maxwell becomes the third RCB player to register three consecutive scores of 50 or more IPL. Virat Kohli and KL Rahul are the other two holding the feat.

2 – Maxwell completed 400 runs for the second time in an IPL season. In the 2014 edition, he accumulated 552 runs.