Faf du Plessis and Virat Kohli, Royal Challengers Bangalore’s current and former captain, stitched a 118-run stand against the Punjab Kings the team posted a 205-run total in the first innings at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy, Mumbai. 

Du Plessis was dismissed at 88 off 57 balls while Kohli remained unbeaten at 41 off 29 balls. Dinesh Karthik, one more senior player who was in the race to become the captain, chipped in with a quick fire 32 not out off 14 balls.

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For Punjab Kings, Rahul Chahar and Arshdeep Singh took a wicket apiece.

After being put to bat first, Du Plessis, making his captaincy debut for RCB, and Anuj Rawat gave the 2016 runners-up a solid platform. The two added 50 runs for the first wicket before the latter was dismissed in the seventh over. 

Kohli, then, came out to bat. Unburdened by the responsibility of leading the team, the 33-year-old looked fluent from the first ball. The former skipper hit two fours and one maximum during his stay at the crease. 

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Faf du Plessis was struggling during the powerplay. It was during Liam Livingstone’s only over that the South African changed gears. The Englishman went for 14 runs. 

Du Plessis was at 17 runs off 30 balls at one point. His next 34 runs came in 11 balls. He smashed all bowlers – Harpreet Brar, Arshdeep Singh and Odean Smith – around the park. The 37-year-old was dismissed by Arshdeep. 

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Replacing De Plessis, Dinesh Karthik looked set from ball one. The former Kolkata Knight Riders captain delivered the finish RCB wanted. Amid the hard-hitting, leg-spinner Rahul Chahar bowled a brilliant spell. He gave 22 runs in his four overs. 

Brief Scores: Royal Challengers Bangalore: 205 for 2 in 20 overs (Faf du Plessis 88, Virat Kohli 41 not out, Dinesh Karthik 32 not out; Rahul Chahar 1/22, Arshdeep Singh 1/31).