Rahul, Gayle and Brar lead Punjab Kings to victory over Kohli’s Challengers

Captain KL Rahul, West Indies superstar Chris Gayle and slow left-armer Harpreet Brar led Punjab Kings to a 34-run win over Virat Kohli’s Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League on Friday.

Rahul hit an undefeated 91 from 57 balls in an innings which featured seven boundaries and five sixes.

Opening the batting, it was the third time that Rahul had ended his innings unbeaten in clashes with Bangalore.

Gayle, coming in at number three, made 46 from 24 balls with six boundaries and two sixes, sharing an 80-run partnership with Rahul.

Some impressive late hitting from Brar (25), batting at seven, helped boost Punjab’s total to 179-5 off their 20 overs.

Kohli top-scored for Bangalore with 35 off 34 balls with three fours and a six.

Harshal Patel contributed a late cameo of 31 off just 13 balls but the damage had been done by then as Punjab’s spinners slammed the brakes on their opponents.

Wrist spinner Ravi Bishnoi finished with 2-17 off his four overs with the impressive Brar claiming 3-19.

Brar dismissed stars Kohli, Glenn Maxwell (0) and AB de Villiers (three) without conceding a run.