Maxwell fires, Wade reprimanded in key RCB win

Virat Kohli has rediscovered his scoring touch, smashing 73 off 54 balls to lead the Royal Challengers Bangalore to a crucial eight-wicket win over the Gujarat Titans that has kept RCB's playoff hopes alive.

Australian Glenn Maxwell also thrashed an unbeaten 43 off just 18 balls as Bangalore cruised to their victory target of 169 with eight balls to spare.

Maxwell (1-28 from four overs) also got the better of countryman Matthew Wade, dismissing the left-hander for 16 in a controversial moment during Gujarat's innings.

Having attempted to sweep Maxwell, Wade was struck on the pad and given out LBW by the on-field umpire before he immediately reviewed the decision, and appeared to mouth the words "smashed it" to his batting partner.

Image Id: 843D67D48E154088B139A9AFBB3031D0 Image Caption: Wade indicates to Maxwell that he got an edge // BCCI-Sportzpics

While the commentators also seemed convinced Wade had got an edge on the ball, the technology did not show enough evidence to overturn the on-field decision and Wade was sent on his way.

The Tasmanian was clearly unhappy with the decision and was shown on the broadcast swinging his bat in frustration in the dressing-room.

He was later reprimanded for breaching the IPL's Code of Conduct, a sanction he accepted.

Needing to win their final league game to stay in the competition, Kohli opened the innings for RCB and hit eight fours and two sixes to give his side a platform to chase down the total and move up to fourth place.

Maxwell said they'll be watching the Mumbai Indians v Delhi Capitals game "pretty closely" on Sunday.

Delhi, who have a better net run rate, could move level on points and reclaim fourth spot if they beat the bottom side.

"We feel like we deserve to be in the final four and hopefully Mumbai will do the right thing by us and get us into the final four," Maxwell said.

Gujarat and second-placed Lucknow Super Giants have already qualified for the playoffs, while the Rajasthan Royals are third with a game in hand.

Gujarat had earlier made 5-168 after captain Hardik Pandya won the toss and scored 68 not out off 47 balls.

Maxwell could have been out first ball but Rashid Khan's sharp delivery failed to dislodge the bails and went for four byes after hitting the leg stump.

Image Id: 0A8F61D5236346F0AA0B6AB052632535 Image Caption: Kohli hit top form for RCB against Gujarat // BCCI-Sportzpics

The Australian blazed five fours and two sixes and carried Bangalore home.

Earlier, Josh Hazlewood, who took 2-39 for Bangalore, had conceded 17 runs off the final Gujarat over.

Kohli has had a poor season by his standards, including three ducks in the tournament. The knock on Thursday night was only his second fifty in 14 IPL innings, although he has passed 7000 runs for RCB along the way.

"I was disappointed that I haven't done much for my team and that is what bothers me. Today was a game where I was able to create an impact for the team," said Kohli.

"I have worked really hard. Before this game, I batted non-stop in the nets for 90 minutes. I came in very free and relaxed."

The 2022 Indian Premier League will be broadcast live in Australia on Fox Sports and live streamed on Kayo

Australians in IPL 2022

Delhi Capitals: Mitchell Marsh, David Warner

Gujarat Titans: Matthew Wade

Kolkata Knight Riders: Pat Cummins, Aaron Finch

Lucknow Super Giants: Marcus Stoinis, Andrew Tye

Mumbai Indians: Tim David, Daniel Sams, Riley Meredith

Punjab Kings: Nathan Ellis

Rajasthan Royals: Nathan Coulter-Nile

Royal Challengers Bangalore: Glenn Maxwell, Josh Hazlewood, Jason Behrendorff

Sunrisers Hyderabad: Sean Abbott