Rajat Patidar, RCB beat Punjab Kings by 23 runs in Dharamshala

rajat patidar returned as Royal Challengers Bengaluru beat Punjab Kings by 23 runs at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala. Punjab Kings still stayed in the playoff race, but the defeat leaves their final league game against Lucknow Super Giants carrying the weight of their season.

Shashank Singh Drives the Chase

Shashank Singh kept Punjab Kings in the hunt with an unbeaten 56 off 27 deliveries. He brought up a rapid half-century, and his innings gave the chase some life after the side had slipped to 19/3 inside four overs.

The vice-captain had support from Suryansh Shedge, who made 35, and Marcus Stoinis, who scored 37. Cooper Connolly also provided momentum with a lively cameo, but Punjab Kings still closed on 199/8 in their 20 overs.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru Reach 223

Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s total of 223 set the target Punjab Kings had to chase. Harpreet Brar took 2/35 and struck with his second delivery of the evening, giving Punjab Kings a brief opening before the innings tilted back toward Bengaluru.

The final margin was 23 runs, the difference between a chase that stayed alive deep into the innings and one that never quite caught up to the rate. Punjab Kings remained firmly in contention for a playoff berth despite the loss.

Lucknow Super Giants Await

Saturday brings the last league game for Punjab Kings, and it comes against Lucknow Super Giants in Lucknow. That is the fixture that now carries their playoff hopes, with the side needing another strong batting response after reaching 199/8 here.

For Punjab Kings, the task is straightforward in shape and unforgiving in scale: recover from a 23-run defeat, keep the late-inning hitting in form, and turn a tense chase into a result that keeps the season moving.