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Xtra Time Web Desk: Anil Kumble seemed to be the most relieved man once Nicholas Pooran’s shot eluded the outstretched arms of Chris Morris and landed over the ropes, as it helped Kings XI Punjab register its second win in IPL 2020.  KL Rahul’s boys pulled off an 8 wicket win over Royal Challengers Bangalore in Match 31 of ongoing edition of IPL to stay alive in the cash rich league. Punjab was cruising for a comfortable win with 7 runs to get from 12 balls. Both KL Rahul (59 off 43) and Chris Gayle (51 off 40) were well set with half centuries under belt. They both managed 5 runs from the penultimate over bowled bu Udana. With two needed off the final over bowled by Yuzuvendra Chahal, gave away just one run from his first five balls. Gayle found himself short of crease and was run out off the fifth ball. Pooran showed tremendous nerves as he stepped out and send Chahal for a six over long on, giving a much needed win for Punjab.

Earlier, batting first RCB scored 171/6 with captain Virat Kohli top scoring with 48 runs off 39 balls. It was his 200^th match for RCB. While scoring 49 runs, Kohli became the highest scorer as captain in the history of IPL with 4266 runs. Chasing 172 win, Kings once again got a steady start from Mayank and Rahul, adding 78 runs for the first wicket in 8 overs. Chris Gayle, playing in his first match this season, gave enough evidence that he has not lost the ability to clear the boundaries. In his 45 ball knock, Gayle hit 5 sixes on his way to scoring 53 runs.

Talking after the match, KXIP captain KL Rahul said, “I have no idea, it's (heart beat) the highest it can be. I don't even have words. We knew we had to scrape and get over the line. We are a far better side than where we are in the points table. It just got too close for comfort, happy that we crossed the line. As a group, we have been disappointing. It can get frustrating. Our skills were good, but we didn't capitalize on the big moments. It becomes a habit - winning and not winning. There are ups and downs and this has been the roller-coaster. We wanted this win to get some confidence in the group.”

According to the losing captain Virat Kohli, “It was quite surprising, because it went down to the wire. A bit of pressure can confuse you; it was a good performance by Kings XI in the end.”

There was quite a few strange tactics from RCB, like sending AB de Villiers to bat at No 6. Talking about the move, Kohli said, “We had a chat, it (AB batting at no. 6) was a message about the left-hand, right-hand combination. Sometimes these decisions you take, don't come off.”