RR vs PBKS: Punjab Kings have defeated Rajasthan Royals by 5 wickets. In this low-scoring match, RR had scored 144 runs while playing first. Rajasthan’s innings was faltering, but the important 50-run partnership of Riyan Parag and Ravichandran Ashwin in the middle overs contributed significantly in setting the target of 145 runs for Punjab. Captain Sam Curran scored the most runs for Punjab while chasing the target, who scored 63 runs in 41 balls. During this, he also hit 5 fours and 3 sixes. He had a partnership of 63 runs with Jitesh Sharma, who scored 22 runs in 20 balls. Avesh Khan and Yuzvendra Chahal took two wickets each for RR. This was the fourth consecutive defeat of Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2024.
The score of 145 runs seems small, but it was not easy for Punjab Kings to achieve this target on a difficult pitch. It was a very bad start for Punjab Kings as the team lost 3 big wickets within 39 runs in the powerplay overs. Prabhsimran Singh scored 6 runs, Riley Rousseau scored 22 runs in 13 balls and Shashank Singh was out on the score of zero today. Meanwhile, Jonny Bairstow played a very slow inning of 14 runs in 22 balls. There was a 63-run partnership between captain Sam Curran and Jitesh Sharma in the middle overs, 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 on the score of 22 runs. Sam Curran completed his fifty in 38 balls in the 18th over. The team needed only 15 runs in the last 2 overs. Apart from Curran, Ashutosh Sharma was still at the crease. Avesh Khan hit 2 sixes in the 19th over, due to which Punjab Kings won the match by 5 wickets.
Harshal Patel got 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 in the race for Purple Cap. He now has 22 wickets in his name in the season and after him is Jasprit Bumrah of Mumbai Indians. Bumrah has taken 20 wickets so far in IPL 2024. Apart from Harshal Patel, Arshdeep Singh of Punjab Kings is also in the top-5, who currently has 17 wickets in his name.
Hope of top spot in the table is 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 reach only 18 points.
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IPL 2024: Riyan Parag scored runs equal to five seasons this year! Strong claim for Team India