De Kock largely batted with minimal support for about 90 per cent of the LSG innings, despite eking out half-century stands for the first wicket with his captain and for the third with Marcus Stoinis, who threatened briefly before perishing to fellow-Aussie Glenn Maxwell. The off-spinner, who bowled his full complement of overs for the first time in four matches, was RCB’s most successful bowler with two for 23 while Yash Dayal, the left-arm quick, was also impressive, finishing with one for 24 in a display marked by cunning changes of pace.

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Indeed, had Anuj Rawat not put Pooran down on two off a steepling skier—the easiest of three chances that went down—LSG would have been in deeper trouble. The keeper was well within his rights to call for the catch as he ran nearly 30 yards to short square-leg, but the ball just popped out and Pooran expressed his thanks in no uncertain terms.

He smashed Topley for three sixes in the 19th over, the last of them landing on the roof over deep mid-wicket, and smacked Mohammed Siraj for two more in the final over.