After all that had happened in IPL 2024 prior to Saturday, 148 should not have been a danger. particularly when the faltering Punjab Kings (PBKS) were defending and the in-form Rajasthan Royals (RR) were pursuing. But because of the Mullanpur stadium’s unpredictable pitch and PBKS’s superior bowling display, RR experienced some nervous moments during their run chase.
RR eventually reached the goal with three wickets remaining and one ball remaining, taking first place with five victories from six games. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shimron Hetmyer played crucial knocks to get Rajasthan over the finish line in a tense chase after an all-around bowling effort by RR that restricted the hosts to 147/8. Avesh Khan and Keshav Maharaj took two wickets apiece, while Trent Boult, Kuldeep Sen, and Yuzvendra Chahal claimed a scalp each.
At the top of the order, Jaiswal returned to form with a 28-ball 39, but in the game’s last over, Hetmyer displayed his finishing ability. Arshdeep Singh of Punjab started by hammering the yorker twice in a row for dot balls with RR needing ten off the final six balls. Hetmyer smashed a six to release all the strain after Arshdeep made a little mistake off the third ball. Hetmyer completed the match in spectacular fashion two balls later, smashing a rank full toss over the fine leg boundary for six. He was named player of the match for his 10-ball 27 not out.
Hetmyer didn’t seem to be needed while Jaiswal was hitting well early in the innings. In this match, Jaiswal was utilized as an impact player. He and Tanush Kotian, who began in Jos Buttler’s absence and was brought into the team for off-spinner R Ashwin, put up an opening partnership of 56. Buttler and Ashwin were tending to minor discomforts.
Had it not been for Kagiso Rabada’s dismissals of Jaiswal and Sanju Samson in consecutive overs, RR’s chase may have been more simpler. Despite being in incredible form this season, Riyan Parag was dismissed on Saturday after scoring 23 off 18 balls thanks to a brilliant catch made by Rabada at deep midwicket off Arshdeep. Hetmyer was required to attend the celebration at that moment, and he did not let us down.
Before a ball was even thrown, Punjab was dealt a blow when captain Shikhar Dhawan was ruled out of the match, leaving Sam Curran in command. As in the other matches, Punjab’s top-order failed miserably, tottering at 52/4 in 9.3 overs. Specifically, Jonny Bairstow’s mediocre run should be taken seriously. Before handing left-arm spinner Maharaj his maiden IPL wicket, he took 19 balls for 15. Thanks to the efforts of Jitesh Sharma (29 off 24 balls), Liam Livingstone (21 off 14 balls), and Ashutosh Sharma, Punjab’s final score had some respectability.
After making a significant contribution in the previous games, Ashutosh came through with a late burst of 31 (16 balls), which featured three sixes and a four, to get the hosts close to the 150-run threshold. With the 72 runs off the final six overs, Punjab could enter the second innings full of hope. Maharaj and Avesh were the two bowlers whom RR preferred.
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