In a thrilling encounter at Mullanpur, the Rajasthan Royals managed to secure a hard-fought three-wicket victory over the Punjab Kings in the IPL 2024 match on Saturday. Despite facing a challenging target of 148, Rajasthan Royals, aided by some power-packed performances, reached 152 for seven in their chase.
The Punjab Kings bowlers utilized the sticky pitch cleverly, taking the pace off the ball and making scoring difficult for the Royals. With 49 runs required off the last five overs, the Royals had to rely on power-hitters like Rovman Powell and Shimron Hetmyer to cross the finish line, which they achieved on the penultimate ball of the match.
Yashasvi Jaiswal and Tanush Kotian provided a steady start to the Royals’ chase, adding 56 runs in 8.2 overs. However, Kotian lost his wicket to Liam Livingstone, while Jaiswal fell victim to Kagiso Rabada after playing a promising flick.
Skipper Sanju Samson also couldn’t make a substantial contribution, falling leg-before to Rabada. Despite these setbacks, Hetmyer’s explosive innings of 27 not out off 10 balls, including three sixes, guided the Royals to victory.
Earlier, Punjab Kings struggled to build momentum against Rajasthan’s bowling attack led by Avesh Khan and Maharaj. Despite efforts from Ashutosh Sharma, Jitesh Sharma, and Livingstone, Punjab Kings managed an underwhelming total.
Atharva Taide provided a quick start to Punjab’s innings but was dismissed by Avesh Khan. The Kings’ batting line-up struggled to accelerate, managing only 38 runs in the powerplay and 53 for four in the first ten overs.
Trent Boult’s disciplined bowling and the accuracy of spinners Maharaj and Yuzvendra Chahal further restricted Punjab Kings’ scoring opportunities. However, late contributions from Livingstone and Ashutosh Sharma helped Punjab Kings post a competitive total.
Despite their efforts, Rajasthan Royals’ collective performance ensured they clinched a thrilling victory, showcasing their determination and resilience in the IPL 2024 encounter.