RR vs PBKS Review – Punjab hold their nerves to edge past Royals in a thriller
Punjab Kings pulled off a thrilling five-run win over Rajasthan Royals in the eighth match of the Indian Premier League 2023. Shikhar Dhawan’s 86* off 56 helped the Kings score 197/4 while batting first. Then Australian pacer Nathan Ellis took four wickets for 30 along with a brilliant last over from Sam Curran to restrict the Royals to 192/7 to clinch crucial two points.
Shikhar and Prabhsimran Singh gave Punjab Kings the desired start as both batters dominated the first ten overs. Prabhsimran smashed 60 off just 34 while Dhawan was a little defensive with his approach. Jason Holder gave the Royals an opening with Prabhsimran’s wicket in the 10th over with Jos Buttler taking a stunning catch at long off.
Bhanuka Rajapaksa walked off the pitch with an injury but Jitesh Sharma joined Dhawan to carry out a good start. The duo added 66 for the second wicket with Jitesh smashing a quick-fire 27. Rajasthan bowlers tried to contain Punjab Kings’ innings in the death overs but Dhawan’s unbeaten knock was enough for them to post a challenging total. Holder picked two wickets while pacers Trent Boult and KM Asif struggled for the wickets for the Royals.
In a surprise change, Ravichandran Ashwin came to open the innings with Yashasvi Jaiswal for the Royals. In-form left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh dismissed Yashasvi in the second over to give the Kings a positive start. Ashwin was not able to make any impact as he caught for a duck off Arshdeep’s delivery.
Buttler and Sanju Samson then tried to ease off pressure with a quick 31-run stand for the third wicket. Buttler looked destined for another big knock but was dismissed by Ellis in the sixth over with a brilliant follow-up up catch by the Australian.
But Samson kept the charge on from one end with a brilliant knock 42 off 25 before getting out on Ellis’ delivery. Ellis took two more wickets to put Punjab Kings in the complete control of the game. But some extra ordinary batting from Shimron Hetmyer and Dhruv Jurel balanced the game to the last over. Curran defended 16 runs in the last over as Rajasthan fell five runs short.
Best performers from the match:
Shikhar Dhawan
The veteran left-hander proved his worth again by smashing an unbeaten fifty. He scored 86 off 56 with the help of nine fours and three sixes as he produced crucial partnerships with Prabhsimran and Jitesh.
Nathan Ellis
The Australian pacer started ahead of Kagiso Rabada and proved his selection right with a match-winning spell. He took four valuable wickets while conceding just 30 runs to guide his team to a thrilling win.
What’s next for both teams?
Rajasthan Royals next face struggling Delhi Capitals at Guwahati’s Barsapara Cricket stadium on April 8 while Punjab Kings travel to Hyderabad to take on Sunrisers Hyderabad in their next game on April 9.
