Rajasthan Royals denied Punjab Kings two key points with a six-wicket victory in a challenging chase of 190 runs. Yashasvi Jaiswal led the charge with a fifty on return, giving RR a 14-point lead after 11 games.
The Mumbai Indians were also eliminated from the tournament as a result of RR’s victory.
Amazing powerplay for RR
RR took advantage of the powerplay opportunities. Jos Buttler carried on doing what he’d been doing all season: attacking the opposition.
In the first over, he didn’t spare Sandeep Sharma, the most economical bowler in the powerplay this season, hitting him for two fours and a six to get the chase started.
Buttler smashed Kagiso Rabada for 6, 4, 4, 2, and 4 in the fourth over before the batsman tried one too many daring blows, aiming to scoop a full wide delivery.
Sanju Samson then got right to work, and they finished the powerplay with a score of 67/1, their highest of the season.
Yashasvi, the fantastic player
Jaiswal was released earlier this season after only three games due to a lack of significant scoring.
In a huge chase, he replaced Karun Nair against PBKS and opened the batting with Buttler. On his return to the side, he had a point to prove, and he did so emphatically with a calm 40-ball 68, keeping the boundaries coming and holding his end until the 15th over.
Hetmyer the star
When Jaiswal left, it was anyone’s game. Padikkal couldn’t get going and was 16 off 17 balls when Hetmyer joined him in the middle.
With 47 runs required from 30 balls, Arshdeep and Rabada will bowl 24 of them. With 28 needed in three overs, Hetmyer took on Arshdeep’s 17th over to change the equation.
Off Rabada’s 18th over, Padikkal hit two fours and Hetmyer hit a full toss down the leg for six, easing it out for RR with 11 needed in the last two overs.
Padikkal was caught, but Hetmyer leveled the score with a six at wide long-on early in the last over and eventually guided his team to victory. He didn’t move.
Chahal destructive bowler
Chahal then returned to the attack, dismissing Bhanuka Rajapaksa in flight as he attempted to attack the spinners, bringing an end to the 42-run stand in 31 balls.
At the other end, Bairstow seemed in fantastic form, scoring his first fifty of the season off 34 balls.
PBKS was kept afloat by Mayank Agarwal and Bairstow, but not convincingly.
Chahal then bowled both Bairstow and Mayank in his third over, leaving Punjab with no choice. Punjab had also appeared to be holding back Liam Livingstone until Chahal ended his spell. Chahal, on the other hand, scored 3-28.
Source: NDTV
