Tata IPL 2024 Match 27, PBKS Vs RR – Match Report

April 14, 2024

A well-controlled bowling display, combined with an impressive finish by Shimron Hetmyer scoring 27 runs off 10 balls, led Rajasthan Royals (RR) to a thrilling victory over Punjab Kings (PBKS) in a nail-biting last-over encounter during Match 27 of the TATA IPL 2024 at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur.

Rajasthan Royals (RR) showcased precision and teamwork in their bowling, limiting Punjab Kings (PBKS) to 147/8 after choosing to field first. PBKS fought valiantly, reducing the equation to 10 runs off the final over with an excellent bowling display. In a tense finish, finisher Hetmyer remained composed, striking two crucial sixes off Arshdeep in the last over to guide RR to victory, securing their fifth win of the season.

In pursuit of 148 runs, Rajasthan Royals (RR) began steadily with openers Yashasvi Jaiswal, playing as an Impact Player, and Tanush Kotian reaching 43/0 during the Powerplay. Their partnership of 50 runs off 47 balls signaled a promising start, although the struggle for boundaries started to mount. This frustration led to Kotian’s dismissal as he attempted a big shot but failed to connect, getting bowled by Livingstone. RR’s scoring slowed down, reaching 66/1 by the halfway point as boundaries became harder to come by.

Skipper Sanju Samson broke free from the pressure, hitting a six and a four off Livingstone to gather 13 runs in the over. In a strategic move, Curran reintroduced Rabada in the following over, resulting in the dismissal of the settled Jaiswal (39 off 28). Samson faced Rabada again, but this time fell victim to a slower delivery, getting dismissed LBW. Rabada concluded his spell with remarkable figures of 4-0-18-2.

The required run rate was steadily increasing, and Punjab Kings (PBKS) had a chance to dismiss Riyan Parag two overs later. However, Livingstone couldn’t hold on to a tough chance at long-on, and Curran narrowly missed catching a leading edge off his own bowling. With 43 runs needed from 24 balls, Parag took the aggressive route. He managed to top edge a delivery over the wicketkeeper’s head for a six off Arshdeep, followed by a couple of runs off an inside edge to fine leg. However, Arshdeep got his revenge as Parag mistimed his pull shot, resulting in a catch by Rabada at deep mid-wicket. Arshdeep almost claimed a second wicket in the over when Dhruv Jurel was initially given out caught behind, but a review showed it had hit his thigh pad.

Needing 34 runs from 18 balls, Harshal Patel struck by dismissing Jurel with a superb running catch by Shashank Singh on the second delivery of the over. However, Hetmyer added to Harshal’s emotions by hitting a boundary and a six off the last two balls, reducing the required runs to 20 off 12 balls in an eventful over.

The penultimate over began with Rovman Powell showcasing brilliance, hitting two consecutive fours off Curran’s first two deliveries. However, Curran quickly turned the tables by dismissing Powell with a well-executed bouncer on the next ball. After two singles, Curran struck again by getting Keshav Maharaj caught at long-on.

Needing 10 runs from the final over, Arshdeep delivered two brilliant yorkers right at the start, resulting in two dot balls against Hetmyer. However, Hetmyer responded aggressively by hitting a flat six to long-on on the third ball, reducing the equation to 4 runs needed off 3 balls. The following delivery was thumped to long-on, where Curran fumbled, allowing the batters to take two runs. With 2 runs required off 2 balls, Hetmyer struck a full toss over the long leg fence for a six, sealing the victory for RR. He finished unbeaten on 27 off 10 balls, steering RR to a hard-fought win in a tense contest.

At the start, Rajasthan Royals’ skipper, Sanju Samson, won the toss and chose to field at the beginning of the game.

RR made a promising beginning, limiting the home team to 38/1 during the Powerplay. Opening batsmen Atharva Taide and Jonny Bairstow had put on 27 runs before Avesh Khan claimed RR’s first wicket by dismissing Atharva Taide, who top-edged his pull shot in the fourth over. Taide had shown early promise with a couple of well-struck fours in the second over but failed to capitalize on his start. Following Taide’s dismissal, the home team faced increasing challenges.

The scoring rate was slow, and the mounting pressure led to Prabhsimran Singh’s dismissal. In the seventh over, he attempted a big shot off Yuzvendra Chahal but mistimed it, resulting in a catch at deep mid-wicket by Dhruv Jurel. Shortly after, Keshav Maharaj claimed Jonny Bairstow’s wicket, inducing a catch at extra cover.

Rajasthan Royals (RR) reaped the benefits of their disciplined and accurate bowling when Keshav Maharaj took his second wicket in his second over, dismissing Sam Curran with a catch at deep mid-wicket. At the halfway stage, Punjab Kings (PBKS) struggled to reach 53/4.

Jitesh Sharma broke the boundary drought by hitting a four off Maharaj, sending the ball to long-off after five overs. Shashank Singh continued the momentum by smashing another four over extra cover in the same over. However, when Samson reintroduced Sen into the attack, he struck immediately, dismissing Shashank with a mistimed pull to deep mid-wicket. Sen nearly took two wickets in two balls when he induced an outside edge off Liam Livingstone’s bat, but Samson couldn’t hold on to a tough diving catch.

After a period of tight bowling, Sharma found his rhythm and struck two sixes, one against Chahal and the other against Sen. Livingstone also increased his scoring rate, hitting a four and a six off Sen’s bowling, resulting in the duo accumulating 17 runs from that over.

Just as Punjab Kings (PBKS) seemed to be gaining momentum, Avesh Khan returned to disrupt the home side’s rhythm, claiming the wicket of Jitesh Sharma (29 off 24) with a catch at mid-off.

Punjab Kings (PBKS) introduced Ashutosh Sharma as their Impact player, substituting Prabhsimran Singh. However, wickets continued to tumble at the opposite end. Sanju Samson executed an outstanding run-out, reminiscent of Dhoni’s style, to dismiss Livingstone. Samson flicked a wide throw onto the stumps, and Livingstone was found short of the crease upon review.

Three balls later, Rajasthan Royals (RR) had a chance for another wicket, but Samson dropped Ashutosh after a mix-up with Avesh. Both fielders went for a high catch off a miscued shot from Ashutosh.

Ashutosh capitalized on the opportunity, smashing two sixes and a four before getting out on the final ball of the innings as PBKS reached a total of 147/8. His quick 31 runs off 16 balls in the final phase provided a significant boost, whereas PBKS faced difficulties in gaining momentum throughout the innings.

Rajasthan Royals (RR) made a strategic change by bringing in Yashasvi Jaiswal as their Impact Player to open the batting, replacing Kuldeep Sen. All-rounder Tanush Kotian partnered with Jaiswal as the opening pair.

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