In the Indian Premier League (IPL 2024), it’s gradually becoming customary. When the Rajasthan Royals and Punjab Kings play, it’s impossible to look away or pick a clear winner. The game played in Mullanpur on April 13 was also not an exception. Rajasthan dominated the first part of the play, but as the second innings progressed, their pulse rate steadily accelerated. Shimron Hetmyer played some outstanding cricket towards the finish to help the inaugural champions win the match by three wickets, but they were uncomfortable with the bat at one point as PBKS was putting them under a lot of pressure.
Jonny Bairstow and Atharva Taide failed to provide PBKS with a strong start when batting first. Prabhsimran Singh, Sam Curran, and Shashank Singh were among the players that struggled, while Jitesh Sharma and impact player Ashutosh Sharma performed well and assisted the team in putting up a decent score. PBKS scored 147 runs in the first innings thanks to strong bowling performances from Keshav Maharaj, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Avesh Khan.
Also read: IPL 2024: Rajasthan Royals’ 2nd Innings Highlights against PBKS in Match 27
In the chase, rookie Tanush Kotian scored 24 runs off of 31 deliveries, although Rajasthan was without Jos Buttler’s services. That is hardly what one would anticipate from an opener, and it puts further pressure on the other players. While the middle order failed to make an impression, Yashasvi Jaiswal scored 39 runs off of 28 deliveries. Hetmyer ultimately bore the brunt of the blame as he struck an undefeated 27 runs off of 10 deliveries to secure the victory for RR.
Speaking Points
1. Ashutosh Sharma keeps getting better
For a considerable amount of time, it was thought that Ashutosh Sharma was not involved in PBKS’s intentions. But the team management called him in late, and he struck 31 runs off 16 deliveries, helping the club reach 147 runs on board, which at one point seemed unachievable as wickets were falling like house of cards. He kept getting better at the bat, and PBKS should have greater faith in him given his form.
2. The form of Avesh Khan before the T20 World Cup
In the IPL 2024, Avesh Khan has shown promise thus far. In his three outstanding overs against PBKS, he let up a couple of runs in the last over, but otherwise, he appeared composed and assured. Since Mohammed Shami is not allowed to play in the T20 World Cup, India is in dire need of a pacer, and Avesh is undoubtedly making a name for himself.
3. Hetmyer, the victorious
This season, Hetmyer lifted his hands and completed the task whenever Rajasthan needed a finisher. Being in fantastic form right now, he was crucial to RR’s victory in their fifth IPL 2024 encounter, which solidified their position at the top of the standings.
Losing skipper Sam Curran said:
The wicket was slightly slow, but we didn’t start well with the bat and didn’t finish well in the end. It was a good effort from the lower order, getting (close) to 150 was excellent, the bowling was good, we kept them down, unfortunately another close loss. We stuck to our plans, bowled and fielded well, but I’m confident we’ll bounce back in the next game.
Three games is a hard way to fully work out the conditions (at the new venue), but we’ve adapted well, we won the first match and lost two matches by close margins (by 2 runs and 3 wickets), hard to take, but the boys will be lifted by how well we’ve played in the last couple of games.
Winning captain Sanju Samson said:
(High-catches) We had fee funny instances from last year and this year. But I am really happy that everyone is eager to go and catch it. The stadium is full of noise and we can’t look who is coming. I need to tell my fast bowlers that it’s easier to catch with the gloves. We all were (tensed during the run-chase). Against Punjab in the last 3-4 years, each and every game is very close.
They bowled really well, it was a funny game. (On Hetmyer) He has been doing ti for years and years, experience and composure. Rovamn and Hetty – having them was good. Tanush had a fabulous Ranji Trophy. He’s been impressing everyone. We didn’t want to unsettle the batting order. Very happy to see him (Jaiswal) get those 30s and 40s.
POTM Shimron Hetmyer said:
It’s just practice, I try as much as possible in the nets. I try my best to hit sixes. I am happy that I helped my team today. They (pressure) creep in the first couple of balls, afterwards I try to keep it as clear as possible. I spoke to Boulty and he said, “I got it.” I said I’ll try my best to get a single (off the penultimate ball), even if we don;t win it, at least tie it. Being away from family, the only you could keep yourself up is by just enjoying every moment.
India
