5 memorable moments from RCB vs KXIP that don't fade away

It seems like a new force has taken birth in the IPL. The force was always there, but it wasn’t as unstoppable as it is now. The potential was always there, and it is now being realized.

With a team that consists of stars like Shane Watson, Virat Kohli, AB de Villers and Chris Gayle, this is a team that should have won the IPL at least once already, but for some unknown reasons, they have failed in their bid.

And this year could be this year as they now look like the brute force of nature that can’t be stopped by anyone or anything. Whatever that has come in their path in recent games has been brushed aside as Kings XI Punjab became their latest prey.

In this 15-over an innings match, there were plenty of memorable moments that don't fade away, quite like the Axe Signature range of body perfumes. Here are 5 of the best:

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Gayle-storm

Yes, Chris Gayle is officially back. After enduring a horrid start to the tournament, he is back with a bang—and it couldn’t have come at a better time.

With a terrific net-run-rate, RCB are sure to reach the play-offs with a win in their next game. With the form their batsmen are in, they could go on to win the tournament with relative ease. Before, it was only the trio of Virat Kohli, AB De Villiers and Shane Watson weaving magic—now the Calypso King has also joined the party.

As a rain-inflicted environment forced the game to be cut down to 15 overs per side, a target of 180 was said to be a competitive one on a belter of a track. And Chris Gayle made sure they not only reached that, but surpassed it as he blasted his way to a 32-ball 73, hitting an astonishing 8 sixes and 4 fours to reach there.

Is Kohli human?

Some things in life are inscrutable. Like the truest source of our being, the existence of parallel Universes, the popularity of auto-tuned songs…and the man that is Virat Kohli.

The term ‘man’ is loosely based here as once can’t really know what exactly he is. His consistency is scary and he has shown things in the IPL that no other batsmen have even attempted. He started the tournament with 0 centuries in 20 overs cricket. Right now, he has four—with the latest one coming in last night’s game against KXIP where he scored an unbelievable 113 off 50 balls, an innings during which he became the top run-getter in IPL history.

There is also a good chance that he could end this tournament with a 1000 runs in his bag.

Saha’s stand

The Kings XI Punjab were defeated even before they came on to bat. However, they had to fight. Murali Vijay got them off to a flier with two boundaries in the first two balls of the innings. However, he didn’t last long as Sreenath Aravind got his wicket.

In came Wriddhiman Saha—the man in form. He has been Punjab’s bright spot in a tournament that brought nothing but gloom to them. He may have lasted only 10 balls, but he scored 24 runs in the process and kept the run rate ticking for the Kings XI Punjab.

Chahal’s fury

Yuzi Chahal is having a fine tournament. Despite claims that the Royal Challengers Bangalore have no quality bowlers, Chahal has risen to the need of the hour and has done a splendid job thus far. With 16 wickets in 10 games, he has been in phenomenal form for his team and gives the fans hope for the best.

With a huge total to defend against the Kings XI Punjab, he took full advantage of the situation as he grabbed 4 wickets in his 3 allotted overs. And he gave away only 25 runs in the process—something was admirable under the circumstances.

Watson’s experience

If there is one pacer in the Royal Challengers Bangalore team who has been consistent, it is Shane Watson. Before Chahal came in and provided a helping hand, it was Watson who was leading the bowling unit with his invaluable experience and intelligence.

It was no different against the Kings as he gave away only 7 runs in his 2 overs while taking 2 wickets. Giving away only 7 runs on a pitch like that was an astonishing feat in itself, taking a further 2 wickets makes it extraordinary.