Smith, the West Indies allrounder, cracked a stunning 25 from just eight balls to help see Punjab over the line after being set an intimidating 206 to win in Mumbai
Mumbai: Royal Challengers Bangalore 205-2, Punjab Kings 208-5 - Punjab Kings won by five wickets
Odean Smith introduced himself to the Indian Premier League with a bang as Punjab Kings equalled their record chase to see off Royal Challengers Bangalore.
Smith, the West Indies allrounder, cracked a stunning 25 from just eight balls to help see Punjab over the line after being set an intimidating 206 to win in Mumbai.
He bludgeoned three sixes and a four as the Kings cantered to victory with an over, and five wickets, to spare.
Smith's performance was the grand finale of a match which belonged to the batsmen.
Faf du Plessis made a wonderful half-century in a losing cause (screengrab/BCCI)
Earlier, Faf du Plessis had made a formidable start to life in RCB colours. Batting at the top of the order, the former South Africa captain made 88 from 57 balls - including seven sixes - to give RCB a platform from which they ought to have been favourites.
Du Plessis started timidly but accelerated through the gears at an extraordinary rate, sharing in a second-wicket stand worth 118 in 10.1 overs with Virat Kohli (41*).
Dinesh Karthik provided a further injection of momentum at the death, striking 32 not out from 14 balls, and Bangalore must have been happy with the position they found themselves in at the interval.
Punjab were not about to roll over, however. Mayank Agarwal and Shikhar Dhawan put on 71 for the first wicket in 7.1 overs before Bhanuka Rajapaksa used the middle overs to keep his team in the hunt with 43 from 22 deliveries.
A small middle-order wobble gave RCB a slight upper hand, with Punjab reduced to 156 for 5 with one ball of the 15th over remaining, but Smith's arrival changed the complexion of the contest.
Between him and partner Shahrukh Khan, 52 runs came in 4.1 overs. RCB had no retort.
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