The IPL 2021 is sailing smoothly in the UAE. Meanwhile, Punjab Kings clashed against former champion Rajasthan Royals in Dubai in what has been a fine display from the latter.
Former champion Rajasthan Royals (RR) came up with a magical performance against Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Match 32 of the 2021 Indian Premier League (IPL) at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday. An excellent batting show, aided by a mystic bowling performance, allowed RR to pull off a dramatic two-run win over PBKS.
Former champion Rajasthan Royals (RR) came up with a fine batting display against Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Match 32 of the 2021 Indian Premier League (IPL) at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday. A great show by the openers, especially Yashasvi Jaiswal (49) and Mahipal Lomror (43), helped RR post a commendable total of 190.
Winning the toss, PBKS skipper KL Rahul elected to bat first. While PBKS handed debuts to Ishan Porel, Aiden Markram and Adil Rashid, RR handed the debut cap to Evin Lewis.
Openers Lewis and Jaiswal were off to promising starts, contributing to a 54-run stand before the former fell to pacer Arshdeep in the sixth over. Meanwhile, just 14 runs later; skipper Sanju Smason fell for a mere four to pacer Porel in the eighth over.
Nonetheless, it was followed by a 48-run stand between Jaiswal and Liam Livingstone before the latter departed for 25 at 116 to Arshdeep. Jaiswal followed him, 29 runs later, off spinner Harpreet Brar in the 15th over.
Hereon, there were hardly any partnerships built. While at 166, Riyan Parag departed for four to seamer Mohammed Shami in the 17th over, three runs later, Mahipal Lomror fell for 46 to Arshdeep again in the 18th over.
In the following couple of overs, the remainder of RR batsmen were cleaned up by Shami and Arshdeep, while the latter finished with a fifer. Although RR was shot out for 185, it left PBKA with a heft target of 186 to be chased down.
PBKS utilised six bowlers. While Arshdeep was highly influential, claiming a five-for, Shami was highly economical.
As PBKS came out for the chase, it was a phenomenal batting display by the openers. Rahul and Mayank Agarwal contributed to a 120-run opening stand, aided by three dropped catches.
Rahul was the first to depart, for 49 in the 12th over to pacer Chetan Sakariya. In contrast, six runs later, Agarwal too was dismissed for 67 off Rahul Tewatia in the following over, having scored his tenth IPL half-century.
Nevertheless, a 57-run stand for the third wicket was witnessed between Aiden Markram and Nicholas Pooran before the latter fell for 32 to pacer Kartik Tyagi in the final over. At the same score, Deepak Hooda departed for a duck.
Needing ten off 15 at a point, the equation came down to three off one. With Fabian Allen on strike, Tyagi bowled a beautiful yorker for a dot and sealed the win by just a couple of runs in a dramatic fashion.
RR put seven bowlers into the attack, which ultimately paid off. While Tyagi was the most successful, spinner Lomror was the most economical of all.
Brief scores: RR 185 in 20 overs (Lewis- 36, Jaiswal- 49, Lomror- 43; Arshdeep- 5/32, Shami- 3/21) defeats PBKS 183/4 in 20 overs (Rahul- 49, Agarwal- 67, Pooran- 32; Tyagi- 2/29) by two runs.
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