On the back of Shimron Hetmyer's match-winning cameo under pressure, the Rajasthan Royals defeated Punjab Kings by three wickets in a last-ball thriller in the Indian Premier League (IPL) match on April 13 (Saturday). Hetmyer scored 27 not out off 10 balls with the help of one four and three sixes. As a result, the Royals managed to win the game with just one ball remaining in the contest.
With yet another victory, Rajasthan Royals consolidated their position on the top of the points table. The Royals have won five of the six matches played so far. On the flip side, the Punjab Kings lost their fourth match of the season and still stuck with just two wins in six matches.
Yashasvi Jaiswal ensures steady start for RR
Chasing a tricky target of 148 runs, the Royals began their pursuit with caution. Playing his first knock in the IPL, Tanush Kotian struggled immensely before his miserable stay at the crease was ended by Liam Livingstone. The right-handed batter departed after scoring 24 runs off 31 balls.
Rabada leads Punjab's comeback
Kotian added a 56-run opening stand with Yashasvi Jaiswal, who anchored the team's chase and tried to regain his rhythm with the bat. Jaiswal looked in control during his 28-ball stay at the crease. The southpaw smashed four fours and scored 39 runs before being dismissed by Kagiso Rabada.
Sanju Samson smashed a six and a four during his knock of 18 runs off 14 balls before getting trapped in front of the sticks by Rabada.
The Royals went into a shell in the middle overs and things became extremely tricky at the back end. Riyan Parag was dismissed for 23 runs off 18 balls. Rovman Powell smashed two fours in his 11-run cameo before Hetmyer finished the game with a six.
Rabada was the pick of all bowlers as he bagged two wickets and conceded just 18 runs in four overs. Curran bagged two wickets while Arshdeep, Livingstone and Harshal Patel chipped in with a wicket each.
PBKS batters struggle against RR's quality attack
After being asked to bat first, the Punjab Kings' batting line-up never got going. Atharva Taide, who replaced Shikhar Dhawan played a couple of delightful cover drives but soon departed after scoring 15 runs off 12 balls. Jonny Bairstow's horrific run of form elongated as the England batter scored 15 runs off 19 balls. Prabhsimran Singh (10 runs off 14 balls), Sam Curran (6 runs off 10 balls) and Shashank Singh (9 runs off 9 balls) all struggled to find any sort of rhythm in their innings.
After struggling initially, Jitesh Sharma launched a couple of lusty hits before walking back to the pavilion with 29 runs off 24 balls. In his comeback game, Liam Livingstone scored 21 runs off 14 balls. The late impetus was provided by young Ashutosh Sharma who launched one four and three sixes in his knock of 31 runs off 16 balls. Courtesy of Ashutosh's late blitz, PBKS posted a score of 147/8 in 20 overs.
For the Royals, Keshav Maharaj and Avesh Khan bagged two wickets while Trent Boult, Kuldeep Sen and Yuzvendra Chahal chipped in with a wicket each.
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