"Warra comeback" - Fans erupt as Navdeep Saini takes three wickets against PBKS in a must-win game for RR

Navdeep Saini starred with the ball in a must-win IPL 2023 game for the Rajasthan Royals (RR) versus the Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala on Friday, May 19.

The speedster emerged as the pick of the bowlers for the Royals, returning with 3/40 as they restricted PBKS to 187/5 in their allotted 20 overs after opting to bowl.

Saini first dismissed Atharva Taide and then took the big wicket of the in-form Liam Livingstone. He also dismissed the dangerous-looking Jitesh Sharma, who smashed 44 off just 28 balls.

It was only the second game for Saini in IPL 2023, having played his first game against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on April 2. He gave away 34 runs in his two overs in that contest and was subsequently dropped from the XI.

Fans on Twitter hailed Saini for his excellent comeback in a crucial tie for RR in the race to the IPL 2023 playoffs.

For the uninitiated, Saini was retained by RR for Rs 2.6 crore after he returned with three wickets in two games during the IPL 2022 campaign.

Navdeep Saini’s three wickets helped RR restrict PBKS to 187/5

Clinical bowling from Navdeep Saini helped the Rajasthan Royals restrict the Punjab Kings to 187/5 in their allotted 20 overs. Besides Saini, Trent Boult and Adam Zampa also returned with one apiece.

For PBKS, Jitesh Sharma scored 44 off 28 balls at a strike rate of 157.14, including three sixes and as many boundaries. Shahrukh Khan also slammed 41 off 23 deliveries at a strike rate of 178.26, including two sixes and four boundaries.

Sam Curran top scored with an unbeaten 49, featuring four fours and two sixes. Meanwhile, Atharva Taide and Shikhar Dhawan chipped in with 19 and 17, respectively.

Now, the onus will be on Rajasthan's batters to chase 188 and keep their hopes alive for qualifying for the knockout stages of the tournament.

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