IPL 2024: Punjab’s second consecutive defeat on home ground
Rajasthan Royals continued their strong performance and defeated Punjab Kings by 3 wickets in a thrilling match. Despite being in a winning position, Rajasthan, which had lost to Gujarat Titans in the last match, once again faced such a situation but this time the team was successful in winning in the last over. Shimron Hetmyer (27 runs, 10 balls) hit 2 sixes in the last over to give Rajasthan its fifth win of the season, while Punjab suffered its second defeat at home and fourth overall defeat of the season.
Tayde inaugurated
Punjab, which was hoping to make a comeback after losing the last match at its new home ground Mullanpur, was without its captain Shikhar Dhawan this time. Dhawan was out of this match due to injury and in his place Atharva Tyde (15) was called to open but he too could not do anything. Jonny Bairstow (15) failed for the sixth consecutive match. Rajasthan’s pair of spinners Yuzvendra Chahal (1/31) and Keshav Maharaj (2/23) completely controlled Punjab’s middle order and reduced the team’s 5 wickets to just 70 runs.
Ashutosh’s tremendous influence
Jitesh Sharma (29), who has failed to make a significant impact this season, fought valiantly for a while but it was not enough as returnee Liam Livingston (21) brought an end to a short but sharp innings. Run Out In such a situation, Punjab was in danger of being reduced to a small score but impact substitute Ashutosh Sharma changed the picture of the match in the last 2 overs. Ashutosh scored 31 runs in just 16 balls and took the team to a reasonable score of 147 runs.
Rabada took command
Like Punjab, Rajasthan also came without its star opener Jos Buttler and in such a situation debutant Tanush Kotian was given the responsibility of opening. Tanush gave a good start to the team by making a half-century partnership with Yashasvi Jaiswal, but Tanush’s innings was very slow and he could score only 24 runs in 31 balls. Whereas Jaiswal (39) made a fast start but could not convert his innings into a big score. Jaiswal was dismissed by Kagiso Rabada (2/18). Rabada also took the wicket of Rajasthan captain Sanju Samson.
Hetmyer dashed Punjab’s hopes
The tight bowling of Rabada and Sam Curran did not give Rajasthan a chance to score runs quickly. However, with Riyan Parag at the crease, Rajasthan’s position was strong. Ryan took the team past 100 and when he seemed to be gaining momentum, he was dismissed by Arshdeep Singh. Soon Dhruv Jurel also started leaving. 5 wickets fell in the 18th over at the score of 117. Here Shimron Hetmyer and Rovman Powell returned to the team by hitting 4 consecutive fours. Then in the 19th over, Curran took the match to the last over by taking the wicket of Powell and then Keshav Maharaj. In the last over, Shimron Hetmyer hit sixes on the third and fifth balls and gave the team victory by 3 wickets.
