Maxwell power takes RCB to 164/7 against Punjab Kings
Sharjah, Oct 3: Glenn Maxwell's six-hitting prowess was on display as his 33-ball 57 propelled Royal Challengers Bangalore to a challenging 164 for 7 in their Indian Premier League game against Punjab Kings here on Sunday.
Opting to bat, RCB suffered a middle order collapse after openers Devdutt Padikkal (40; 38 balls, 4x4; 2x6) and Virat Kohli (25; 24 balls, 2x4; 1x6) added 68 runs for the first wicket.
But Maxwell, who is in the midst of one of his best IPL seasons, hit four sixes and three fours, to complete 50 off 29 balls.
He and AB De Villiers (23 off 18 balls; 1x4; 2x6), the two best T20 batters, conjured 73 runs for the fourth wicket and brought their side back on track.
Kohli started with a four, while Padikkal hammered Arshdeep Singh (0/42 in 3 overs) for a back-to-back six, over deep mid-wicket and a boundary, an elegant cut, in the third over, in which RCB fetched 13 runs.
Padikkal then launched into leggie Ravi Bishnoi (0/35 in 4 overs), striking two boundaries, in similar fashion, over his head.
Kohli, who got a reprieve in the fifth over as young Sarfaraz Khan, dropped a tough chance at short-mid wicket, then was in his element. The duo tore into the Punjab Kings attack, as they raced to 55/0 after Powerplay.
In the eight over, Padikkal was given not out, despite a wiggle, which was seen off his glove, by the third umpire, off Bishnoi.
But Punjab pegged back RCB by picking three quick wickets, all by Moises Henriques (3/12 in 4 overs). He first cleaned up Kohli and off the next ball forced Dan Christian, to give a regulation catch to Sarfaraz Khan. Henriques then dismissed Padikkal, who nicked one to Rahul, as RCB was tottering at 73/3.
Maxwell then took charge and ensured the highest total by any team at Sharjah during this season.
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Indian opposition condemns Khamenei killing; Modi government yet to comment
New Delhi: The Indian National Congress has condemned the joint US-Israel strikes that reportedly killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Saturday.
In a statement, the Congress said it “unequivocally condemns the targeted assassination” of the Iranian leader, describing it as “in a military strike carried out without a formal declaration of war.”
The party termed the development a serious escalation and raised concerns over the implications for regional stability.
Meanwhile, the Government of India has not issued any formal statement specifically on Khamenei’s reported killing so far.
On Saturday, the Narendra Modi government had expressed concern over the escalating tensions in the Middle East, as the United States, Israel and Iran exchanged missile strikes. However, it stopped short of directly commenting on the reports regarding the Iranian leader’s death.
India has traditionally maintained working relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran, alongside its ties with the United States and Israel. Further official reaction from New Delhi is awaited.
