We have the presentation finally:
Sanju Samson: We all knew he was due for a good innings. He spent some quality time training and lots of hours in the nets, we all knew that he is due for runs so very happy for him. I wanted to chase in some games and win it, we chased it second time, I think? But happy to chase, it was a really good wicket and really great intent shown by almost every batsman. I have been learning a lot (as captain), things have been getting clearer and clearer. Having a very same side for almost every game, having the same bowling line-up helps to identify the situation and batsmen and to use the longer and shorter side (of the boundaries) and definitely need to keep on changing the bowlers according to the situation. There is no set strategy that fast bowlers have to bowl in the death. Anyone having a great temperament and experience can do the job for the team. Chahal said he was even ready to bowl the 20th over. So he's confident and doing well for the team. I just wanted to go out there and express myself and play a few shots and that's what I did. I enjoyed it. That's what we spoke about in the meeting, talking about what should be the mindset of the team going into the business end of the tournament. It's very obvious to think about the points table so when things get busy, we need to keep on coming back to the basics which is focusing on one game at a time and just looking at the controllables. Let's see where we end up at the end of the league stage.
Yashasvi Jaiswal is the Player of the Match: To be honest, I didn't know I'll be the Man of the Match but it's an amazing feeling whenever I go and bat, with all my pride I go and bat. When I hit Rahul Chahar over the covers was my favourite shot. I just try to make it simple and play good cricketing shots. I would really like to dedicate this innings to Zubin (Bharucha, head of criket at RR) sir. He has helped me a lot during all the times whenever I was sitting with him, and whenever I was down. He has been pushing me always. It's been a pleasure for me to perform like this and I want to dedicate this to him. He has helped me a lot and motivated me a lot, pushing me every day and saying, "you can do it and you will do it, just keep working hard."
That's all from us for the first game of today's double-header. Don't forget, there's LSG vs KKR going on as well, in Pune. Have a great weekend, stay safe. It's goodbye from me, Vishal Dikshit, and Ekanth.
7.26pm It's the first win for Rajasthan Royals while chasing this season, and since 2nd October 2021. The chase got a little nervy and shaky in the middle when Padikkal couldn't get going, but Hetmyer took the baton once Jaiswal fell and took his team over the line. Royals end their losing streak of two games to revive their campaign and retain the third spot with a healthy run rate of 0.326. They still have some issues - especially Padikkal's strike rate and the dot balls he has been eating up - but for now they can breathe easy. Punjab Kings continue their trend of winning and losing every alternate match. Arshdeep was absolutely superb yet again in the death overs with his wide yorkers and wickets, Bairstow has found form at the opener's spot but they are slipping down the table with their inconsistency.
1 off 5 and there are some field changes. Long-off comes up among other changes
Eight off six is just two shots away from victory and Hetmyer is on strike. Dhawan has one left. But Dhawan is not going to bowl it, it's Rahul Chahar! Square leg, midwicket and long-on in the deep, just like long-off and deep cover
END OF OVER:19 | 3 Runs 1 Wkt | RR: 182/4 (8 runs required from 6 balls, RR: 9.57, RRR: 8.00)
- Riyan Parag0 (1b)
- Shimron Hetmyer24 (12b)
- Arshdeep Singh4-0-29-2
- Kagiso Rabada4-0-50-1
Is there a late twist? 8 needed off 7, here's Riyan Parag. Around the wicket to him
D Padikkal c Agarwal b Arshdeep Singh 31 (61m 32b 3x4 0x6) SR: 96.87
Probably a case to bowl the yorker on the stumps now, if you need wickets and not just dot balls
Frustration for Arshdeep
Afeef: "Not often you see Rabada conceding 50 runs in a T20 innings"
Sri: "How about Padikal does a Ashwin by retire out??" He has just started to score though, and Royals are closing in
Just 11 off 12. One left for Arshdeep and Rishi Dhawan
END OF OVER:18 | 16 Runs | RR: 179/3 (11 runs required from 12 balls, RR: 9.94, RRR: 5.50)
- Devdutt Padikkal30 (29b)
- Shimron Hetmyer22 (10b)
- Kagiso Rabada4-0-50-1
- Arshdeep Singh3-0-26-1
Third man comes in and mid-off drops deep now. Yorker coming up?
Three in the deep on leg, including long-on. Fine leg in the circle
27 off 18, with one over probably from Rishi Dhawan. Royals still on top. Rabada continues
Nagraj Todur: "Umpiring is too ordinary in this match especially while calling wides!! Hope it won't cost PBKS and they win this match easily!!"
END OF OVER:17 | 12 Runs | RR: 163/3 (27 runs required from 18 balls, RR: 9.58, RRR: 9.00)
- Devdutt Padikkal21 (26b)
- Shimron Hetmyer15 (7b)
- Arshdeep Singh3-0-26-1
- Kagiso Rabada3-0-34-1
Third man and fine leg are in
Arshdeep again