Rising Pune Supergiants vs Royal Challengers Bangalore, IPL 2016, Macth 16 at Pune: Kohli-AB’s third 100-plus stand and other highlights

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) edge past Rising Pune Supergiants (RPS) by 13 runs in Match 16 of Indian Premier League (PL) 2016 at Pune, thanks to KVirat Kohli and AB de Villiers match-winning partnership, RPS captain MS Dhoni won the toss and elected to bowl first. This was the fourth consecutive time RCB captain Kohli lost the toss in IPL 9. However, RCB got off to a flying start as Kohli and de Villiers continued their stellar show and stitched 100-plus partnership for the third time in 4 matches and posted 185 runs on the scoreboard. Later, RCB bowlers provided early inroads by dismissing in-form Faf du Plessis and Steven Smith in the batting Playing, and put RCB in the driver’s seat. Here are some highlights from the nail-biting encounter: LIVE CRICKET SCORECARD: Rising Pune Supergiants vs Royal Challengers Bangalore, IPL 2016, Match 16 at Pune

Third 100-run stand for Kohli and de Villiers in IPL 9: RCB’s most talismanic players were on a rampage yet again. Both batsmen took the RPS bowlers to the cleaners right from the word go. They stitched a 155-run stand off just 95 balls that was studded with 13 fours and 6 sixes. It was the fourth consecutive 50-run stand between this duo and third 100-plus stand in 4 matches: 157 (87) vs SRH, 107 (65) vs DD, 59 (39) vs MI, 155 (95) vs RPS.

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Third half-century for Kohli in IPL 9: Kohli was once again at his elegant best, as he scored third half-century of IPL 9. The young gun started off with caution and put a price on his wicket. Soon, he brought up his 50 off 47 balls, but later upped the ante and eventually plundered 80 off 63 before he holed out to Ajinkya Rahane at deep mid-wicket in the last over of the innings. Here’s Kohli’s stellar show in IPL 9: 75 (51) vs SRH, 79 (48) vs DD, 33 (30) vs MI, 80 (63) vs RPS. Live Cricket Updates Rising Pune Supergiants (RPS) vs Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) IPL 2016

de Villiers goes berserk once again: de Villiers was in the thick of the action yet again. He grabbed the RPS bowlers by their collar and went on a rampage. His 63-ball 80 was studded with 6 fours and 4 sixes. This was his third half-century in 4 matches. Here’s de Villiers’ commanding performances in IPL 9: 82 (42) vs SRH, 55 (33) vs DD, 29 (21) vs MI, 83 (46) vs RPS.

Kevin Pietersen was retired hurt: Pietersen came one-down after Faf du Plessis holed out a length ball to Harshal Patel at mid off. Kane Richardon to Pietersen. Richardson bowls back-of-length delivery and Pietersen shuffles and flicks to deep square leg. And, as he comes forward to take a run, he pulls off a calf muscle. We have often seen Pietersen struggling with the calf injury and today was just an unfortunate day for his injury to flare up. Given the kind of pitch the curators dished out, it would have been interesting to see Pietersen take the charge.

Rahane continues his good performance: Ajinkya Rahane brought up his second half-century of IPL 9 off just 37 balls. He coupled elegant boundaries with quick running between the wickets. Despite the early blows, Rahane made sure he stays at the crease and keeps the hopes alive. This was his 20th half-century in IPL.

Dhoni does Karate again: Captain Cool emulated what he did in RPS’ contest against KXIP. As Kohli tried to play a late cut past the wicket-keeper, Dhoni lifted his right leg to save a certain boundary. Read: MS Dhoni does it again; stops ball with his leg, Karate style!

25 runs off the 18th over: Kohli handed the ball to Harshal Patel when RPS needed 50 off 3 overs. Bhatia started the over with a meaty blow over long on, then followed it by a quick single to give Perera the strike. Perere fired on all cylinders and spanked a hat-trick of fours, followed by a massive six over long on.

(Kaustubh S. Mayekar, a reporter at CricketCountry, played cricket at U-16 level. Like his idol Rahul Dravid, he often shadow-practises cricket shots. His Twitter handle is @TheCricKnight.)