Sawt Falasteen - Impact sub Kohli shines as Bengaluru move top of IPL

The 37-year-old Kohli was only able to play as a batter due to an injury suffered in Bengaluru's previous win over Mumbai Indians.

After sitting out of the first innings, he got his team off to a strong start in a modest chase of 147 after opening partner Phil Salt departed for seven in the second over.

Bengaluru raced to their fourth win in five matches with 29 balls to spare to move level on points with Rajasthan Royals but top of the 10-team table on net run-rate.

Kohli, who made 50 in the previous match, hit six fours off new-ball bowlers Mohammed Shami and Prince Yadav before he crunched his only six off spinner Digvesh Rathi.

Kohli looked in control but missed out on his fifty after being caught in the deep off Avesh Khan.

Kohli is the leading run-scorer this season with 228, including two half-centuries in five matches.

The former India captain remains one of the biggest draws in the IPL, although he now only plays the ODI format in international cricket.

Bengaluru lost two more wickets, including skipper Rajat Patidar for 27, before Tim David and Romario Shepherd -- who both scored 14 not out -- steered the team home.

Earlier, Rasikh Salam returned figures of 4-24 to help bowl out Lucknow for 146 in exactly 20 overs.

Salam, who dismissed Lucknow opener Aiden Markram for 12, was ably supported by senior seam bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar (3-27).

Lucknow skipper Rishabh Pant was hit on the elbow by a short delivery from Josh Hazlewood and retired hurt, grimacing in pain, after just three balls.

Pant later returned but quickly fell to a stunning outfield catch by Salt off Kumar.

Mitchell Marsh top-scored with 40, but the Lucknow batters largely struggled in a below-par performance.

C.AbuSway--SF-PST