After 16 matches in this year’s IPL, the points table has started showing signs of being interesting till the very end. It was Kohli’s turn to visit the adjoining city in the same state to play against the Rising Pune Supergiants. Dhoni’s men haven’t registered a win after their victory in their first game against Mumbai Indians at their home. A battered and bruised RPS were determined to repeat the heroics of the first game but again failed to do so.

Kohli would be a lucky captain to have not won the toss and win the game. It’s the ideal route which every captain wants to opt this year. However, a spirited Dhoni couldn’t pull off a win against the likes of Kohli and AB de Villiers. The result of a Kohli and AB partnerhip could have been worse for RPS had it not been for Thisara Perera who picked up both the batting mainstay of RCB in a matter of 6 balls! The Duo left the wicket with the scoreboard reading 182 in the last over of their innings. Kohli finished at a personal score of 80(60) and Ab 83(46). RPS had a daunting task to complete when they came in to bat.

Chasing a stiff total, the home side got off to a disastrous start that saw captain MS Dhoni walk out to bat before the completion of the third over. The team’s three overseas batsmen – Francois du Plessis, Kevin Pietersen and Steve Smith – were back in the dugout in the space of just six balls. After losing Faf, Pietersen was forced to head back after what looked like a calf muscle issue. The wicket sparked extended celebrations as RCB realized they had one foot in the door. Three quick wickets forced Ajinkya Rahane and Dhoni to play with caution and the two tried to salvage the RPS innings with a 91-run stand before Rahane was stumped off debutant Tabraiz Shamsi. The home needed 70 off the last five overs and this is when Dhoni departed. The loss of Dhoni was crucial for RPS as it meant that the onus was now on Thisara and Bhatia to perform. Thisara Perera almost delivered the goods as he smashed three fours and two sixes in the 18th over bowled by Patel. However, with just 25 needed from 12, Shane Watson removed Perera 34 (13) and that signaled the downfall for RPS. Kane Richardson kept it tight in the final over and gave away just 7 runs taking 2 wickets.