Punjab Kings (PBKS) wicketkeeper-batter Bhanuka Rajapaksa played a cameo of 31 runs off just nine balls against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on April 1 (Friday). His innings was comprised of three sixes and three boundaries.
The PBKS wicketkeeper-batter had come to bat after skipper Mayank Agarwal’s dismissal. Rajapaksa got off the mark with a boundary off the last ball of the second over bowled by Kiwi pacer Tim Southee. In the very next over Bhanuka smashed another boundary.
Bhanuka vs Mavi
In the fourth over of the innings, the left-handed batter scored 22 runs off first four balls. Young KKR pacer Shivam Mavi had to face a tough challenge as he was bowling his first over of the match. Bhanuka started the over with a boundary. The southpaw then smacked three consecutive sixes. Mavi came back with a befitting reply on the fifth ball of the over. The wicketkeeper-batter tried to hit Mavi’s back-of-a-length-delivery over extra-cover but ultimately his mistimed shot was caught by Southee.
Notably, Mavi was brought in as an extra bowler in place of wicketkeeper Sheldon Jackson.
On the other hand, Bhanuka had previously made a spectacular IPL debut for PBKS against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). The 30-year-old wicketkeeper-batter had scored 43 runs off 22 balls to help his side in successfully reaching a huge target of 206. The Sri Lankan was roped in by PBKS for a base price of Rs 50 lakh at the mega auction for IPL 2022.
Match details
In the match against KKR, the Punjab-based franchise had registered a total of 137 in 18.2 overs. KKR pacer Umesh Yadav picked up four wickets to restrict PBKS to a small total.
In reply, KKR reached the target with 33 balls remaining. West Indies all-rounder Russell displayed his amazing batting skills after scoring 70 runs (not out) off 31 balls. His innings was comprised of 2 boundaries and 8 sixes.
Chasing 138, the Shreyas Iyer-led side lost their two opening batters within a score of 38. But Russell’s super show eventually helped his side in reaching the target in 14.3 overs.
In the season opener against Chennai Super Kings (CSK), the Kolkata-based franchise had clinched a six-wicket victory. In second match, KKR had to concede a three-wicket defeat against RCB.
