Rajasthan Royals struggled against Punjab Kings to clinch a hardworking three-wicket win in their IPL match at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Stadium in Mullanpur on Saturday.

Player of the Match Hetmyer scored an unbeaten 27 off just 10 balls hitting three sixes and a four to help the Royals notch their fifth win of the IPL 2024 campaign. Yashasvi Jaiswal top-scored for the Royals with 39 runs as Keshav Maharaj finished with impressive figures of 2/23 in four overs.

Electing to bowl first, the Royals struck in the fourth over with Avesh Khan sending back Atharva Taide who was looking in good nick. PBKS could hit only four boundaries as they managed 38/1 in the first six overs.

Spinners Yuzvendra Chahal and Maharaj tied the Kings down as the Royals picked up three wickets in the next five overs. Maharaj took his first wicket in the IPL dismissing Jonny Bairstow and then sent back skipper Sam Curran to reduce the Kings to 52/4.

Jitesh Sharma and Liam Livingstone added 33 runs for the sixth wicket in quick time. Ashutosh Sharma coming in as the impact substitute continued the Kings’ late burst with a 16-ball 31.

Punjab Kings amassed 61 runs in the last five overs that left the Royals with a target of 148 to achieve. For the Royals, Maharaj took two wickets whereas Avesh picked up 2/34. Chahal picked up a wicket to go on top of the leading wicket-takers chart in IPL 2024.

The Royals had a new opening pair with debutant Tanush Kotian walking out alongside regular opener Yashasvi Jaiswal. The Mumbai pair put together 56 runs, the highest opening partnership for the Royals this season.

Jaiswal departed in the 12th over for a well-made 39 off 28 balls, which included four boundaries, for the highest score of the match. Soon, skipper Sanju Samson was also dismissed for 18 as the Royals slid to 89/3. 

Riyan Parag and Dhruv Jurel added 24 off 20 balls for the fourth wicket to help the Royals be in the chase. But both Parag and Jurel left in quick succession to keep the Kings interested. 

Needing 33 off 16 balls, Hetmyer and Rovman Powell played match-winning cameos to ensure the Royals finished on the right side of the contest with a ball to spare. Powell, playing his first match for the Royals this season, hit two boundaries to score 11 off 5 balls. 

For the Kings, Kagiso Rabada shone with the ball picking up 2/18 in his four overs and Sam Curran finished with 2/25.

Rajasthan Royals continue on top of the IPL 2024 points table with 10 points from six matches.

The Royals are up against Kolkata Knight Riders in their next game at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on April 16.

PBKS vs RR IPL 2024 brief scores: Punjab Kings 147/8 (Ashutosh Sharma 31, Keshav Maharaj 2/23, Avesh Khan 2/34) lost to Rajasthan Royals 152/7 (Yashasvi Jaiswal 39, Shimron Hetmyer 27, Kagiso Rabada 2/18, Sam Curran 2/25).

Source: Online

BDST: 1322 HRS, APR 14, 2024
SMS