PBKS vs RR IPL 2024: Punjab Kings defeated Rajasthan Royals by 5 wickets. In this low-scoring match, RR scored 144 runs while playing first. Rajasthan’s innings was faltering, but the crucial 50-run partnership between Riyan Parag and Ravichandran Ashwin in the middle overs contributed significantly in setting a target of 145 runs in front of Punjab. Captain Sam Curran scored the most runs for Punjab chasing the target, whose innings of 63 runs came out of his bat in 41 balls. During this, he also hit 5 fours and 3 sixes. He had a 63-run partnership with Jitesh Sharma, who scored 22 runs in 20 balls. Avesh Khan and Yuzvendra Chahal took two wickets each for RR. This was Rajasthan Royals’ fourth consecutive defeat in IPL 2024.
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A score of 145 runs looks small, but it was not easy for Punjab Kings to achieve this target on a difficult pitch. Punjab Kings had a very bad start as the team lost 3 big wickets within 39 runs in the powerplay overs. Prabhsimran Singh scored 6 runs, Riley Russo 22 runs in 13 balls and Shashank Singh was out for zero today. Meanwhile, Jonny Bairstow played a very slow innings of 14 runs in 22 balls. In the middle overs, there was a 63-run partnership between captain Sam Curran and Jitesh Sharma, on the basis of which Punjab scored 103 runs in 15 overs. Punjab needed 42 runs to win in the last 5 overs. Meanwhile, in the 16th over, Yuzvendra Chahal gave a big blow to Punjab by dismissing Jitesh Sharma for a score of 22 runs. In the 18th over, Sam Curran completed his fifty in 38 balls. The team needed only 15 runs in the last 2 overs. Apart from Curran, Ashutosh Sharma was still at the crease. Avesh Khan conceded 2 sixes in the 19th over, due to which Punjab Kings won this match by 5 wickets.
The hard work of Rajasthan bowlers went in vain
Rajasthan bowlers, who came out to defend the target of 145 runs, tightened the screws on Punjab from the very beginning. Trent Boult, as always, once again got the team a wicket in the first over. Prabhsimran was out after scoring 6 runs. After the first blow, Johnny Bairstow and Riley Russo showed good hands and handled the innings. Russo was out on 36 runs and then Punjab’s star batsman Shashank Singh was sent back by Avesh Khan without opening the account.
The captain single-handedly turned the match around
Captain Sam Curran continued to answer the bowlers firmly at one end. Jitesh Sharma supported him for some time but then lost his wicket on a score of 22 runs. Ashutosh Sharma, who emerged as a star this season, supported the captain and took the match close. Sam Curran did the rest of the work.
Rajasthan’s batting faltered
Rajasthan, who won the toss and elected to bat first, faltered badly against Punjab Kings. Opener Yashasvi Jaiswal returned after being dismissed on the fourth ball of the first over, while captain Sanju Samson also managed to score only 18 runs. Half the team had returned before scoring 100 runs. Rajasthan had lost 5 wickets for 97 runs.
Riyan Parag saved the honor alone
On one side where the batsmen were having trouble staying on the pitch, on the other side Riyan Parag was seen facing the Punjab bowlers with courage. He held one end and played an important role in taking the score to 144 runs by scoring 48 runs with the help of 6 fours in 34 balls.
Harshal Patel got the Purple Cap
Before the match against Rajasthan Royals, Harshal Patel had taken 20 wickets in 12 matches. Now by taking 2 wickets in the match against RR, he has come on top of the Purple Cap race. He now has 22 wickets in the season and is followed by Mumbai Indians’ Jasprit Bumrah in second place. Bumrah has so far taken 20 wickets in IPL 2024. Apart from Harshal Patel, Punjab Kings’ Arshdeep Singh is also in the top-5, who currently has 17 wickets to his name.
Hopes for top spot in the table are over
Rajasthan Royals now have 16 points after 8 wins in 13 matches. Whereas table topper Kolkata Knight Riders have 19 points after 9 wins in 13 matches. Even if KKR loses its last match in the league stage, RR can no longer reach the top of the points table as the team can now only reach 18 points.
