CHAPTER 97: RCB VS. PUNJAB KINGS – THE CHASE BEGINS

RCB’s batters stepped onto the field, knowing the task ahead. Punjab had posted 185 runs—a competitive total, but one well within RCB’s chasing capabilities. Raj stood near the boundary, adjusting his gloves, mentally mapping out every phase of the chase.

RCB had successfully chased totals like this before, but Punjab’s bowling attack was designed to create early difficulties. Unlike Rajasthan, who relied on spin control, Punjab had an approach built on fast bursts of pace, deceptive lengths, and unexpected variations.

"This won’t be an easy chase. We execute every phase exactly as planned."

The openers took their positions at the crease. The chase had officially begun.

This chase required precision. Punjab’s bowling attack wasn’t about raw pace—it was about disrupting rhythm, forcing hesitation, and applying psychological pressure.

RCB’s key strategies:

Controlled powerplay without unnecessary risk – Punjab’s fielding strength lay in cutting off gaps, meaning RCB had to start efficiently rather than aggressively.

Middle-over acceleration using structured partnerships – Building momentum without reckless boundaries.

Final assault at the right moment – Punjab’s bowlers adjusted heavily in the last five overs. RCB had to ensure they didn’t get trapped into last-over desperation.

Virat Kohlie and Faf Duplesi took their positions at the crease. The first ball was about to be delivered.

Punjab’s lead pacer sprinted in, delivering a hard-length delivery angling toward middle-stump.

Kohlie reacted instantly, stepping forward and tapping it toward deep mid-wicket.

Single taken.

Next ball—short-pitched, rising toward Duplesi’s ribs.

Duplesi adjusted quickly, controlling his pull shot toward square leg.

Four runs.

Punjab had expected hesitation, but RCB was already countering efficiently.

Recognizing that RCB was focused on maintaining stability, Punjab shifted their field to deny easy scoring opportunities.

Their adjustments:

Tighter off-side field to cut off Kohlie’s driving lanes – Punjab knew Kohlie relied on free-flowing cover drives, so they blocked his angles entirely.

Two-deep fielders set for Duplesi’s aerial flick shots – Cutting off boundary attempts before they happened.

Quick bowler rotations every two overs – Never allowing RCB’s batters to settle against one bowling style.

But RCB was prepared. They rotated strike efficiently, ensuring Punjab never dictated the tempo.

Score Update – Powerplay Progression

RCB – 54 for no loss (6 overs)

Virat Kohlie – 27*(17), 3 fours

Faf Duplesi – 24*(19), 2 fours

RCB had neutralized Punjab’s initial attack, maintaining perfect control.

Raj glanced at the scoreboard.

"We execute phase two now. No mistakes."

The powerplay had ended, and RCB stood at 54 for no loss after six overs. Kohlie and Duplesi had ensured a disciplined start, navigating Punjab’s tight field placements and unpredictable bowling variations. But now, as the field spread and Punjab introduced their middle-overs containment strategy, the chase entered a more tactical phase.

Raj observed from the dugout, arms crossed, scanning Punjab’s defensive shifts. Their bowlers weren’t relying on raw pace anymore—they had switched to forcing hesitation, cutting off free-flowing strokes, and slowing strike rotation.

"This is where we dictate the tempo. If we let them control us, the chase gets harder."

The players took their positions, and Punjab’s lead spinner prepared to bowl. The battle was about to evolve.

Recognizing that RCB had successfully countered their pace attack, Punjab now relied on their spinners and tactical field placements to force a slower scoring rate.

Deep mid-wicket fielder positioned to block Kohlie’s boundary attempts – Punjab wanted to remove his ability to accelerate.

Short third-man and backward point compression – Cutting off Duplesi’s late cuts and guided strokes.

Slower variations in spin bowling – Removing pace from deliveries to disrupt timing.

Raj signaled to his batters. The key to breaking Punjab’s control was maintaining calculated strike rotation rather than attempting unnecessary risky shots.

Punjab’s spinner fired in the first ball—flatter, drifting toward off-stump.

Kohlie leaned forward, judging the flight early, and tapped it into the gap between point and cover.

Single taken.

Next ball—sharp turn, forcing Duplesi onto the back foot.

Duplesi anticipated it quickly, adjusting his stance and sweeping it toward fine leg.

Two runs.

Punjab’s containment plan was active, but RCB wasn’t allowing them to dictate movement.

By the 10th over, Punjab’s bowlers had executed their containment plan efficiently, but RCB had maintained stability, ensuring that their scoring rate didn’t dip too low.

Their approach included:

Avoiding aerial strokes against spin – Punjab’s spinners were baiting attacking shots, but RCB was keeping the game grounded.

Targeting gaps between fielders – Instead of forcing boundaries, RCB was finding spaces for calculated runs.

Slow acceleration without forced risks – Punjab hadn’t broken their momentum, meaning RCB’s batters remained in control.

Raj watched from the boundary. The game was progressing exactly as planned.

"Now, we prepare for acceleration."

Punjab knew they needed a wicket before RCB officially launched their scoring phase, so they brought back their pace attack.

The first ball of over 13 arrived—full-length, swinging inward.

Duplesi attempted to flick it toward mid-wicket, but mistimed.

Caught. OUT!

Punjab had their breakthrough, but Raj was already walking toward the crease, ready to take control.

"They wanted a challenge? Let’s see if they can stop me."

RCB’s chase was entering its most critical moment.

Score Update – RCB’s Position Before Acceleration

RCB – 112 for 1 (13 overs)

Virat Kohlie – 55*(39), 6 fours

Faf Duplesi (out) – 48 (34), 4 fours

Raj walking in at No.3

Raj tapped his bat against the pitch, locking eyes with Punjab’s bowlers.

"We finish this properly. No rush. No mistakes."

Raj walked to the crease with measured steps, tightening his gloves, his eyes fixed on the field placements Punjab had set up. The dismissal of Duplesi in the 13th over had given Punjab an opening, and they were now adjusting their game plan to try and disrupt RCB’s run chase.

Punjab’s bowlers were well aware of Raj’s ability to dictate the tempo of an innings. They had no intention of allowing him to settle in easily. Their captain stepped forward, signaling to the fielders to compress run-scoring angles, ensuring Raj didn’t get easy boundaries early

.

Raj assessed the setup carefully. Punjab was expecting him to force shots to regain momentum, but that wasn’t his approach. He tapped his bat against the turf, signaling to Kohlie at the other end.

"We absorb their pressure now, accelerate when it’s time."

Punjab’s Adjustments – Maximum Containment Strategy Against Raj

Punjab had shifted their approach specifically to target Raj’s ability to rotate strike effortlessly. Their fielding placements were designed to stall him for at least two overs, slowing RCB’s chase before the acceleration phase.

Deep mid-wicket fielder moved wider – Punjab had studied Raj’s flick shots and wanted to cut off his ability to score easy twos.

Off-spin variation introduced – Instead of sticking with pace, Punjab’s captain brought in a slower bowler to force mistimed strokes.

Quick bowling rotations every two overs – Preventing Raj from settling against any single type of delivery.

The bowlers had their strategy in place. Raj had his response ready.

Overs 14-16 – Raj’s Calculated Entry into the Chase

Punjab’s off-spinner stepped in for the 14th over, tossing a flighted delivery toward off-stump.

Raj read it immediately, leaned forward, and placed a controlled drive past cover.

Two runs taken.

Punjab had expected a more aggressive stroke, but Raj wasn’t playing into their containment tactics.

Next ball—flatter trajectory, cutting inward.

Raj adjusted quickly, rolling his wrists over the shot and guiding the ball past point.

Three runs.

Punjab had anticipated boundary attempts, but RCB was dictating the tempo instead of forcing risk.

Punjab realized Raj wasn’t hesitating, and that was becoming a problem. Their containment strategy was meant to stall RCB’s acceleration, but Raj had ensured the scoring rate remained stable.

They adjusted once again:

Third-man fielder pushed finer – Preventing late cuts.

Bowling mix switched back to pace – Hoping for an extra bounce against Raj’s timing.

Extra cover repositioned tighter – Removing his angle for clean drives.

But Raj saw their setup clearly.

The first ball of over 17 arrived—wide, fast, expecting Raj to chase the shot.

Raj stretched forward but guided it past backward point with a soft touch.

Four runs.

Punjab’s captain clapped his hands, signaling immediate field adjustments.

Next ball—sharp length, pushing Raj into a defensive stance.

Raj didn’t hesitate—he stepped forward and flicked it past fine leg.

Boundary again.

RCB had officially entered acceleration mode.

Score Update – RCB’s Position Before the Final Overs

RCB – 138 for 1 (18 overs)

Virat Kohlie – 76*(48), 8 fours

Raj

– 32*(21), 2 fours

RCB needed 47 runs from 18 balls.

Raj tightened his gloves.

"Now, we finish this properly."

The tension inside the stadium was palpable. RCB needed 47 runs from 18 balls, and Punjab’s bowlers were making their final adjustments, tightening their field placements and rotating their pace attack to break RCB’s acceleration.

Raj stood at the crease, carefully analyzing every movement from the opposition. Kohlie remained composed at the other end, knowing their team needed a calculated finish rather than a reckless rush. Punjab had not allowed easy boundaries in the middle overs, but now their bowlers had no choice but to defend desperately against RCB’s rising momentum.

"They expect last-over panic. We don’t give them that luxury."

The first ball of the 19th over was about to be delivered.

With only two overs remaining, Punjab shifted into full containment mode, relying on field compression and deceptive bowling variations. Their last attempt to stall RCB’s acceleration included:

Consistent wide yorkers – Reducing Raj’s ability to play direct shots down the ground.

Leg-side boundary protection – Preventing Kohlie from finding gaps for flick shots.

Alternating pace deliveries – Switching between sharp speed and slower off-cutters to disrupt timing.

Raj could sense their approach immediately. Punjab was playing for mistakes, expecting RCB to force high-risk shots. But that wasn’t happening.

Punjab’s pacer sprinted in, delivering a fast, wide delivery, angling toward off stump.

Raj waited, tracking the ball, then adjusted his stance at the last second and sliced it past backward point.

Four runs.

Punjab’s captain gestured frantically, demanding a field change. RCB wasn’t falling into their trap—they were playing around it.

Next ball—short-pitched, forcing Raj into a pull stroke.

Raj stepped back quickly, controlling the shot, placing it toward deep square.

Two runs.

Punjab had expected mistimed shots—instead, they had allowed calculated placements and scoring precision.

Punjab’s bowler ran in fast, knowing they had one last chance to stall the chase.

First ball—full-length, outside off, expecting Kohlie to reach for it.

Kohlie adjusted his stance, stepped forward, and guided it through covers.

Four runs.

The Punjab dugout shifted nervously. RCB was one shot away from sealing the match.

Raj adjusted his gloves, exhaling slowly. He tracked the bowler’s grip, reading the delivery even before it arrived.

Next ball—sharp length, pushing Raj into a defensive stance.

Raj didn’t hesitate—he stepped forward and flicked it toward fine leg.

Boundary. Match over.

Final Score – RCB Secures Victory

RCB – 187 for 1 (19.4 overs)

Raj finishes unbeaten at 47(26), guiding the acceleration phase.

Kohlie anchors the chase with 80(52), ensuring stability.

RCB dominates the run chase, proving their control over high-pressure matches.

Raj removed his gloves as he walked toward the dugout, greeted by handshakes and applause.

This victory wasn’t just a chase—it was a showcase of calculated execution under pressure.

To be continued....