Jaiswal 68, Hetmyer finishing job keep Royals in third place
Kings had put up a competitive total thanks to Jonny Bairstow, Jitesh Sharma and Liam Livingstone despite Yuzvendra Chahal's three-for
Kings had put up a competitive total thanks to Jonny Bairstow, Jitesh Sharma and Liam Livingstone despite Yuzvendra Chahal's three-for
Scorer: MV Raghav | Commentator: Vishal Dikshit
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
Is there a late twist? 8 needed off 7, here's Riyan Parag. Around the wicket to him
"My stuff is still left in the room," the 25-year old said, indicating that he will be returning to India to see out the rest of the season
Kings had put up a competitive total thanks to Jonny Bairstow, Jitesh Sharma and Liam Livingstone despite Yuzvendra Chahal's three-for
Punjab Kings, on the other hand, have chopped and changed, and struggled to narrow down on combinations
Chahal's form has dipped slightly, Agarwal doesn't have the runs - which side's senior members will stand up?
Fantasy suggestions for the match between Punjab Kings and Rajasthan Royals