5 memorable moments from the RCB-KXIP match that don't fade away

This was an encounter where one team had nothing to lose while the other had everything to play for. While Royal Challengers Bangalore are already out of contention for the top 4 spots and were playing for pride, Kings XI Punjab still had a chance to qualify.

Batting first, Punjab made only 138 runs, which was not really a big score to defend. However, their bowlers did an extremely good job and restricted the Challengers to a puny total of 119 to ensure their season didn’t end early.

Extra Cover: IPL 2017, RCB vs KXIP: Player Ratings

Here are 5 memorable moments from the match that don't fade away, quite like the Axe Signature range of body perfumes:

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#1 Aniket Choudhary announces himself on the big stage

This Indian Premier League has been a tournament to forget for the Royal Challengers Bangalore. Nothing, not even their strongest forte – batting – worked out for them as it felt like they were shrouded with nothing but darkness.

However, it would be wrong to imply that there wasn’t a single positive in their tournament as the likes of Aniket Choudhary do give them a sense of relief. Aniket conceded 17 runs and took 2 wickets in 4 overs to restrict the Punjab franchise. He took the important wicket of Hashim Amla and complemented that by sending Mohit Sharma back to the pavilion later on.

#2 Axar’s hurrah

Axar Patel contributed with both bat and ball

At one point, it seemed as though Punjab would fail to mount a score of even 120. However, as it turned out, a tormenting spell of batting from Axar Patel saved his team the blushes.

In an innings where he could play only 17 balls, he scored a vehement 38 runs, hitting three fours and two sixes in the process. His death-overs blast allowed Punjab to make that extra 20 runs, which saved the game for them.

He wasn’t done there though. He desecrated the middle order of the Challengers with the ball in hand as he took 3 wickets in his 3 overs while giving away only 11 runs.

#3 Sandeep Sharma’s start

Sandeep Sharma was amongst the wickets yet again

Defending a target as low as 139 is not an easy job, even if it is on a relatively difficult batting track. With this match being a must-win game for the Kings XI, they needed a bowler who would take the responsibility of giving them a blazing start and Sandeep Sharma duly obliged.

Sharma bowled with such venom that the RCB top order had no answer to his fury. Chris Gayle, Virat Kohli, and AB de Villiers – three of the best exponents of the game – succumbed to the poison that his fangs spat.

He finished with figures of 4-0-22-3.

#4 Mandeep Singh’s resilience

Mandeep steadied the ship for RCB

Like we mentioned earlier, Royal Challengers Bangalore’s batting was at its worst this season. Despite having some of the biggest and best names in the game, Kohli and co. put up a terribly poor show all throughout the tournament —and tonight was no different.

However, among all the atrocity, Mandeep Singh put up a valiant effort to save his team, but alas…it was not to be. Nonetheless, his 40-ball 46 was a brave effort and should be praised as it consisted of five beautifully hit fours and two sixes.

#5 Glenn Maxwell does it again with the ball

Glenn Maxwell produced the goods with the ball

Maxwell is known for his clean hitting abilities. However, what he is infamous for is his inconsistency. The Australian batting all-rounder often goes missing after a patch of good games only to return to form again and begin another cycle.

However, in this IPL, whenever he couldn’t do it with the bat, he almost always made up for it with the ball and tonight was just one of those instances.Giving away only 15 runs, he took two wickets in his three overs – one of which was the dangerous Mandeep Singh – as he helped his team win and keep their hopes of a top 4 finish alive.