Punjab Kings scored 147/8 in 20 overs, where as Rajasthan Royals scored 152/7 in 19.5 overs.
So, finally Rajasthan Royals beat Punjab Kings by three wickets.
Rajasthan Royals displayed a stellar bowling performance but almost stumbled in their pursuit of 147 on a slow, two-paced surface at Mullanpur.
What initially appeared to be a straightforward chase turned tense, with the league leaders needing 34 off 18 balls.
Shimron Hetmyer’s blistering 10-ball 27* sealed the team’s fifth win of IPL 2024 on the penultimate delivery, leaving Punjab Kings with their fourth defeat of the season and lingering in the bottom half of the table.
Notable Absences:
Key players from both sides were absent due to minor injuries.
While PBKS saw the return of Liam Livingstone, they lost their captain, Shikhar Dhawan.
Atharva Taide filled the vacant opening slot, with Sam Curran taking over the captaincy.
Meanwhile, Rajasthan Royals missed Jos Buttler and R. Ashwin, with Tanush Kotian and Rovman Powell making their IPL debuts in their place.
Despite this, the visitors had the advantage of chasing a target after Sanju Samson won the crucial toss.
Struggles in the Powerplay:
Punjab Kings continued to face difficulties in the powerplay, evident from their low scores in IPL 2024.
With the absence of their leading opener, Shikhar Dhawan, PBKS’ powerplay performance suffered further.
While Taide showed promise initially, the team struggled to capitalize, ending the powerplay at a modest 38/1.
Spinners Dominate:
Spin proved to be a potent weapon for Rajasthan Royals, with Yuzvendra Chahal and Keshav Maharaj making significant breakthroughs.
Chahal deceived Prabhsimran Singh, while Maharaj accounted for Jonny Bairstow and stand-in captain Sam Curran.
Maharaj’s economical spell put PBKS under pressure, with the team reduced to 53/4 at the halfway mark.
Lower-Order Fightback:
Punjab Kings relied on their lower-middle order to salvage their innings, with Jitesh Sharma and Liam Livingstone leading the revival.
Despite losing wickets, Ashutosh Sharma’s late onslaught propelled PBKS to a competitive total of 147.
Challenging Start for Royals:
In the absence of Jos Buttler, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Tanush Kotian opened the chase for Rajasthan Royals.
While the team managed a steady start, Kotian’s struggles led to his dismissal, putting pressure on the batting lineup.
Rabada’s Impact:
Kagiso Rabada’s return saw him dismiss key batsmen Jaiswal and Samson, tightening the game for Punjab Kings.
His economical spell shifted the momentum in favor of the hosts, setting up a thrilling finish.
Hetmyer’s Heroics:
With the game hanging in the balance, Shimron Hetmyer’s explosive batting turned the tide in favor of Rajasthan Royals.
His aggressive innings in the final overs, supported by Rovman Powell, secured a crucial victory for the team.
In the end, Punjab Kings faltered under pressure, allowing Rajasthan Royals to clinch a nail-biting win and maintain their position at the top of the table.
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