Navdeep Saini’s fabulous penultimate over kept Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) afloat as they beat Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) by 17 runs in an Indian Premier League encounter at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru yesterday.

Chasing a daunting 203 runs for victory, KXIP were off to a flying start as Chris Gayle scored a quickfire 23 off 10 balls (4 fours, 1 six). He was dismissed by Umesh Yadav.

K.L. Rahul and Mayank Agarwal then added 59 runs for the 2nd wicket. Agarwal was dismissed for 35. His innings included 5 fours and 1 six. K.L. Rahul followed his Karnataka mate soon. He was dismissed for 42 runs off 27 balls (7 fours, 1 six). David Miller and Nicholas Pooran then added 68 runs quickly to keep KXIP in the run-chase.

However, twin strikes by Navdeep Saini in the 19th over gave RCB a required boost. Umesh Yadav confirmed RCB’s win by taking two wickets in the final over to limit KXIP to 185/7 in 20 overs.

With this win, RCB stay in the race for playoffs. Earlier, RCB scored 202/4 in 20 overs, courtesy a 122-run partnership between AB de Villiers and Marcus Stoinis.