IPL 2020, Match 31: Chris Gayle, KL Rahul fifties help KXIP register a morale boosting win against R

A class act by Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) batsmen powered them to a much-needed win, a thumping eight-wicket verdict against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in an Indian Premier League (IPL) match on Thursday, but not before they made it difficult for themselves and won off the very last ball of the game.

This was KXIP's just second win from eight games, and despite the outcome the KL Rahul-led side languishes at the bottom of the eight-team standings. On the other hand, RCB remain static at their third spot with 10 points in their kitty.

Chasing the 172-run target, KXIP were off to a flying start as Rahul and Agarwal once again did what they been doing so far, adding 56 runs in the initial six overs.

Just when KXIP were approaching the three-digit mark, Yuzvendra Chahal came with a much needed breakthrough for RCB, dismissing a well-settled Mayank in the eighth over with Punjab's scorecard reading 78/1.

Agarwal's knock contained four boundaries and three maximums. The joy was, however, short-lived for RCB as Chris Gayle (53), who had missed the previous games, joined his skipper in the middle and shared a crucial 93-run partnership for the second wicket, steering their side closer towards a much-needed win.

However, just when KXIP leveled the score with a ball remaining, Gayle fell short of the crease and AB de Villiers did no mistake to cut short his stay, adding another twist to the contest.

Nicholas Pooran (6 not out), however, sealed a victory for KXIP, smashing Chahal for a maximum over the long-on boundary.

Earlier, Kohli's 48 along with some valuable contributions by Chris Morris (25) and Shivam Dube (23) took RCB to 171/6.

Despite a good start, thanks to openers Aaron Finch (20) and Devdutt Padikkal (18), RCB kept losing wickets at regular intervals once the duo departed.