IPL 2024: Rajasthan Royals win battle against Punjab Kings

Shimron Hetmyer’s dynamic performance clinched a thrilling three-wicket victory for Rajasthan Royals (RR) over Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the final over of the Indian Premier League (IPL) match at Mullanpur Stadium on Saturday. This marked PBKS’s second loss at their home ground this season.

RR solidified their top spot on the points table with their fifth win, amassing 10 points, while PBKS lingered in eighth place with two wins and four losses.

Chasing a target of 148, RR’s openers, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Tanush Kotian, provided a steady start, prioritizing stability over risky shots. By the end of the powerplay, RR had scored 43 without loss, with Jaiswal at 23* and Kotian at 18*.

The partnership broke in the ninth over when Kotian was bowled by Liam Livingstone for 24 off 31 deliveries, bringing RR’s score to 56/1. Progress slowed, but captain Sanju Samson and Jaiswal pushed the score to 66/1 by the tenth over.

The middle overs saw quick dismissals, with Jaiswal falling for 39 to Kagiso Rabada and Samson being trapped LBW by Rabada for 18. By the 13th over, RR was precariously placed at 89/3.

Riyan Parag and Dhruv Jurel brought up the team’s 100 in the 15th over, but tight bowling by PBKS increased the pressure, with Parag and Jurel dismissed by the 17th over with the score at 115/5.

Hetmyer and Rovman Powell staged a counter-attack, with Hetmyer’s crucial hits in the 18th over reducing the required runs. Despite Powell’s dismissal for 11, Hetmyer’s unbeaten 27 off 10 balls, including a boundary on the penultimate ball, secured RR’s win with a total of 152/7 in 19.5 overs.

Earlier, PBKS’s innings was bolstered by a late surge from Ashutosh Sharma, who hit a quick 31, but they only managed 147/8 due to effective bowling from RR, particularly Avesh Khan and Keshav Maharaj who both took two wickets.

This match underscored the volatile nature of T20 cricket, with RR managing to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat in a closely contested game.