Jonny Bairstow and Liam Livingstone thrash Royal Challengers Bangalore to take Punjab Kings to a comfortable 54-runs victory

Punjab Kings relied on Jonny Bairstow and Liam Livingstone's half-centuries to cross the 200-runs mark. Then, with a bumper total in hand, Punjab Kings' Kagiso Rabada bowled confidently and scalped three wickets. In contrast, Rahul Chahar and Rishi Dhawan clinched two each to stop Royal Challengers Bangalore at 155 runs.

Jonny Bairstow and Liam Livingstone prove a nightmare for Royal Challengers Bangalore.

Royal Challengers Bangalore won the toss and decided to bowl first at the iconic Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai.

However, their decision to take the ball first quickly backfired as Jonny Bairstow came in the mood to demolish bowlers in his wake.

The Englishman came in to open the innings with India's Shikhar Dhawan and played so dominatingly that he hit seven sixes in just six overs.

Shikhar (21 off 15) also entered the six-hitting frenzy and hit one for himself before getting bowled out by Glenn Maxwell on the final delivery of the fifth over. 

Meanwhile, Bairstow continued demolishing Maxwell, Mohammed Siraj, and Josh Hazlewood even after the breakthrough.

After being hit for four sixes in his spell, Siraj had a night to forget, while Josh Hazlewood conceded 22 runs in his first over, registering his worst numbers in the Indian Premier League (0/64 in 4 overs).

Bangalore was able to get Jonny Bairstow by the tenth over at 66 off 29 balls, an inning that saw the Englishman hitting four fours and seven sixes with a strike rate of 227.59, but already did the damage.

Meanwhile, another Englishman, Liam Livingstone, took the baton from his compatriot and went on a frenzy against Bangalore bowlers. 

Although Hasaranga and Shahbaz Amhed kept on bowling impressively, Livingstone was able to keep himself going. Livingstone collected 70 runs in his 42-balls inning and stayed on the crease until the twentieth over to ensure his side crossed the 200-runs mark.

Royal Challengers Bangalore fizzle out in quick succession.

Virat Kohli opened for Royal Challengers Bangalore along with skipper Faf du Plessis. However, both veterans were disappointed with their performances as they could collectively score only 30 runs.

Rajat Patidar (26) and Glenn Maxwell (35) scored 64 runs between them, but both left the game quickly.

Royal Challengers Bangalore collapsed quickly when Dinesh Karthik was out for 11 runs on Arshdeep Singh's delivery after being caught by the short third-man.

The team could only score 155 runs as they gave up nine wickets in twenty overs.

With 12 points from as many games, Punjab's net run-rate increased to +0.210, but RCB has 14 points from 13 games, and its net run-rate is -0.323.

The Royal Challengers Bangalore team will have to win their final game against table-toppers Gujarat Titans to reach 16 points, but they will also need luck with a few favorable results.