Bengaluru’s quick turn of pace keeps IPL hopes alive

Royal Challengers Bengaluru kept alive their slim playoff hopes in the Indian Premier League with a four-wicket victory over Gujarat Titans in a low-scoring thriller.

Bengaluru pacers came to the party when Gujarat were put into bat and bowled out for 147 runs in 19.3 overs.

Faf du Plessis, the Bengaluru captain, then led the way with 64 off 23 balls, as the hosts finished with 152-6 in only 13.4 overs. Virat Kohli scored 42 runs in 27 balls and shared an opening partnership of 92 with du Plessis in 5.5 overs.

Bengaluru moved off the bottom of the table with their fourth win in 11 games, and are now seventh, eight points ahead of Punjab Kings on net run-rate. They are mathematically still in contention to advance.

Gujarat lost their third consecutive game and dropped to ninth in the 10-team table. They also have eight points and potentially can still make the playoffs.