Rajasthan Royals (RR) defeated Punjab Kings (PBKS) by 3 wickets in their IPL 2024 match at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur.
RR chased down PBKS’s total of 147/8 with 1 ball to spare, consolidating their position in the top half of the points table while PBKS are virtually out of playoff contention.
Batting first, PBKS secord 147/8 in their 20 overs. Shikhar Dhawan top-scored with 45 runs while Sikandar Raza made 35. For RR, Yuzendra Chahal was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 3/27. Avesh Khan and Keshav Maharaj also bowled well, taking 2 wickets each.
In reply, RR chases down the target with 1 ball to spare despite a late collapse. Yashasvi Jaiswal top-scored with 41 while Shimron Hetmyer remained unbeaten on 27 off just 10 balls with 1 four and 3 sixes to take RR over the line.
With this win, RR consolidated their position in the top half of the points table while PBKS are virtually out of playoff contention.
In the overall head-to-head, RR has won 16 out of the 27 matches played between the two teams, while PBKS has won 11. RR has a good record against PBKS at home, winning 5 out of 6 games at the Sawai Man Singh Stadium in Jaipur. However, RR lost wickets regularly and found themselves in trouble at 99/6. Shimron Hetmyer then played a brilliant cameo, smashing 27 off just 10 balls with 1 four balls 1 four, and 3 sixes to take RR over the line. Jaiswal top-scored with 41 while Sanju Samson made 25.
The match was a close affair with both teams fighting hard. RR bowlers did well to restrict PBKS to a manageable total on a slow pitch. However, RR batters struggled against the PBKS bowlers who cleverly used variations to trouble them. Ultimately, Hetmyer’s late heroics proved to be the difference between the two sides.
In the overall head-to-head, RR has won 16 out of the 27 matches played between the two teams, while PBKS has won 11. RR has a good record against PBKS at home, winning 5 out of 6 games at the Sawai Mansigh Stadium in Jaipur.
Some key stats from the match:
- RR’s highest team score against PBKS is 226/6 (IPL 2020)
- PBKS’s highest team score against RR is 223 (IPL 2020)
- Sanju Samson’s 119 off 63 balls against PBKS in IPL 2021 is the best individual batting effort for RR.
- Arshdeep Singh’s 5/32 against RR in IPL 2021 is the best bowling figures for PBKS.
The win will boost RR’s confidence as they look to secure a playoff berth. PBKS, on the other hand, will need to regroup quickly and win their remaining matches to keep their slim playoff hopes alive.