A fiery four-wicket haul by Nathan Ellis and a skilful exhibition of death bowling by Sam Curran in the final over helped Punjab Kings overcome a late flourish by the duo of Shimron Hetmyer and Dhruv Jurel to clinch a five-run win over Rajasthan Royals in a final over thriller at Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati on Wednesday.
Punjab Kings have clinched their second successive win in IPL 2023. Chasing 198 runs, Yashasvi Jaiswal started the innings with a huge first-ball six. However, pacer Arshdeep Singh dragged Rajasthan Royals backwards, taking scalps of Yashasvi (11) and Ravichandran Ashwin (0), who was sent to open ahead of Jos Buttler. RR was reduced to 26/2 in 3.2 overs.
Jos Buttler came to bat at number three and attempted to rebuild the innings with skipper Sanju Samson. The duo started attacking PBKS bowlers, with Samson hitting a six on the second ball and smashing two successive fours each to Harpreet Brar and Nathan Ellis in the next two overs.
RR crossed the 50-run mark in 5.1 overs.
Buttler was caught and bowled by Ellis for 19 off 11 balls, with one four and a six. RR was 57/3 in 5.4 overs.
RR at the end of six overs was at 57/3, with Paddikal (0*) and Samson (25*) unbeaten at the crease.
Samson and Paddikal continued to accumulate runs, taking their side halfway through the innings without any further damage.
At the end of 10 overs, Samson (41*) and Paddikal (10*) were unbeaten at the crease.
However, the skipper Samson’s lone warrior effort came to an end. His knock of 42 runs in 25 balls with five fours and a six ended after being caught by substitute Matthew Short at long-off. Nathan Ellis got his first wicket. RR was 91/4 in 11 overs.
Local boy Riyan Parag was next up on the crease. RR touched the 100-run mark in 11.5 overs with help of a six from Parag.
