PBKS vs RR: Who won yesterday's match in IPL 2023?

RR vs PBKS, IPL 2023 — Rajasthan Royals beat Punjab Kings by four wickets to keep their qualification hopes alive. Pic: (iplt20.com)

The Rajasthan Royals (RR) beat the Punjab Kings (PBKS) by four wickets in yesterday’s 2023 Indian Premier League (IPL) match at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala. With the win, RR stayed alive in the playoff race, while PBKS were officially knocked out.

Bowling first after winning the toss, Rajasthan allowed Punjab to recover from 50/4 to post a competitive 187/5. However, half-centuries from Yashasvi Jaiswal (50 off 36) and Devdutt Padikkal (51 off 30), combined with a brilliant knock from Shimron Hetmyer (46 off 28), lifted RR to a much-needed win in 19.4 overs. They now await the result of the other matches to find out whether they can finish in the top four.

Chasing 188, Jaiswal got Rajasthan off to a confident start, striking Sam Curran for three consecutive fours in the first over. At the other end, though, Kagiso Rabada trapped Jos Buttler (0) leg-before. The RR opener registered his third successive duck and fifth of the season - the most in a single edition of the IPL.

Jaiswal and Padikkal then featured in a defining second-wicket stand of 73. The latter struck Rabada for a six and four in the sixth over as Rajasthan ended the powerplay at 57/1. Padikkal raced to a 29-ball fifty before perishing to Arshdeep Singh, slicing a catch to backward point.

RR skipper Sanju Samson (2) played another poor stroke, heaving Rahul Chahar to deep square leg. Hetmyer came in and took some pressure off Jaiswal by striking a six each off Arshdeep and Nathan Ellis. The duo combined to hammer Curran for 18 runs in the 14th over.

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Jaiswal’s fine knock ended when he switch-hit Ellis to backward point. Hetmyer and Riyan Parag (20 off 12) then featured in a crucial fifth-wicket stand of 32. The latter whacked Rabada for two maximums in the 18th over before perishing to the PBKS pacer.

Hetmyer then slapped Curran for two fours in the penultimate over before a stunning catch by Shikhar Dhawan at cover ended his fine knock. RR needed nine off the last over bowled by Rahul Chahar. “Impact Player” Dhruv Jurel (10*) smacked the fourth ball over the spinner’s head for a maximum to seal the victory for Rajasthan.

Late surge lifts PBKS to 187/5

Batting first after losing the toss, Punjab recovered from a slow start to post a competitive 187/5. 46 runs came off the last two overs as PBKS finished with an absolute flourish.

Punjab got off to poor start as Prabhsimran Singh (2) chipped a return catch to Trent Boult in the first over. Atharva Taide and Dhawan looked good briefly before the former miscued a pull off Navdeep Saini to midwicket, having made 19 off 12. Dhawan (17) was then trapped leg-before by Adam Zampa as he missed an attempted sweep.

PBKS lost their fourth wicket in the seventh over when a struggling Liam Livingstone (9 off 13) was bowled by Saini as he attempted to break the shackles with a heave. Curran (49* off 31), Jitesh Sharma (44 off 28) and Shahrukh Khan (41* off 23) then featured in a fine rescue act for Punjab.

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Shahrukh and Curran combined to loot 28 runs off the penultimate over from Yuzvendra Chahal. Shahrukh took on Boult in the last over, which cost Rajasthan 18.

PBKS vs RR: Who won Player of the Match in yesterday's IPL 2023 match?

Saini stood out for Rajasthan with the ball, claiming 3/40. In the chase, Padikkal and Jaiswal scored fine fifties, while Hetmyer contributed an equally crucial 46.

For Punjab, Curran, Jitesh and Shahrukh contributed blazing 40s. Rabada picked up two wickets with the ball.

Padikkal was named the Player of the Match for his fantastic knock in the chase.