Livingstone returns from injury in Punjab defeat

Faf du Plessis and Virat Kohli are the leading run-scorers of this year's IPL so far

Liam Livingstone made his return from injury in Punjab Kings' 24-run defeat by Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League.

He made just two as Punjab slumped to 150 all out, attempting to chase 175.

Faf du Plessis scored 84 from 56 balls and Virat Kohli 59 from 47 to set up Bangalore's 174-4.

The form of Du Plessis and Kohli has been crucial for Bangalore, with the pair topping the run-scoring charts.

Former South Africa skipper Du Plessis has 343 runs at an average of 68.6, while India superstar Kohli has 279 at 55.8.

The platform set by their opening stand proved vital as their middle order stuttered, with no other batter passing double figures as Punjab's bowlers dragged back some control at the end of the innings.

England's Sam Curran captained Punjab for the second consecutive game because of Shikhar Dhawan's injury and bowled economically, conceding just 27 runs from his four overs.

But Punjab's openers could not find the same consistency as Atharva Taide was dismissed by India seamer Mohammed Siraj from the second ball of the innings and they slumped to 43-4 inside the six-over powerplay.

Siraj finished as player of the match with 4-21 and a direct-hit run out, and was supported by Sri Lanka spinner Wanindu Hasaranga's 2-39 as Punjab's chase failed to fully recover, despite Jitesh Sharma's 41 off 27 balls.

The win takes Bangalore up to fifth in the table with three wins from six, while Punjab have the same results but are in seventh on net run-rate.