**27th Match of IPL: Punjab Kings vs Rajasthan Royals**
The contest took place at Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur, Chandigarh, on the 13th of April, 2024. Rajasthan Royals won the coin toss and opted to bowl first .
**Teams:**
*Rajasthan Royals (Starting XI):*
Sanju Samson (captain/wicketkeeper), Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Tanush Kotian, Keshav Maharaj, Trent Boult, Avesh Khan, Kuldeep Sen, Yuzvendra Chahal
*Punjab Kings (Starting XI):*
Jonny Bairstow, Atharva Taide, Prabhsimran Singh, Sam Curran (captain), Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma (wicketkeeper), Shashank Singh, Harpreet Brar, Harshal Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Kagiso Rabada
**Impact Substitutes for Both Squads:**
*Rajasthan’s Impact Subs:*
Yashasvi Jaiswal, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Shubham Dubey, Navdeep Saini, Abid Mushtaq
*Punjab’s Impact Subs:*
Rahul Chahar, Ashutosh Sharma, Vidhwath Kaverappa, Harpreet Singh Bhatia, Nathan Ellis
Several enforced alterations was seen in both line-ups. Yashasvi Jaiswal looked as the key impact player for RR, whereas Punjab had numerous strategies up their sleeve. With Shikhar Dhawan missing due to a niggle, Sam Curran leads, despite Jitesh Sharma being the usual second-in-command.
**FIRST INNING:**
Atharva Taide joined Jonny Bairstow to kickstart the game, but Avesh Khan dismissed Taide in his initial over. The spin duo, Yuzvendra Chahal and Keshav Maharaj, overwhelmed the Punjab Kings, pressurizing them with their aggressive bowling. Maharaj claimed the wickets of English batsmen, Bairstow and Curran. Despite a valiant effort by Jitesh Sharma to stabilize the innings, Avesh Khan halted his charge. Liam Livingstone, along with Ashutosh Sharma, tried to accelerate the scoring, with Sharma contributing 31 off 16 deliveries, marked by a boundary and three sixes, setting a total of 147-8 on the scoreboard. Boult, Sen, and Chahal each secured a wicket for Rajasthan.
**SECOND INNING:**
The chase began with Yashasvi Jaiswal and debutante Tanush Kotian opening for Rajasthan. They provided a sturdy foundation, leaving Punjab struggling to breakthrough. However, in the ninth over, Livingstone ousted Tanush, followed by Rabada removing the perilous Jaiswal, which decelerated Rajasthan’s pace. Following the departure of the openers, Punjab saw a glimmer of hope, with Rabada and Arshdeep making crucial dismissals. Despite these setbacks, Shimron Hetmyer kept the scoreboard ticking, easily chasing down the modest total with a six, scoring a rapid 27 off 10 balls.
Hetmyer was celebrated as the match’s top performer for his explosive batting. Rajasthan’s bowling unit was commended for restricting Punjab to a low score, while their batsmen set the stage early in the second innings. The chase was defined by Hetmyer’s unmatched prowess. This victory propelled Rajasthan Royals to the top of the points table.
Punjab came tantalizingly close yet again. In Dhawan’s absence, Curran commendably led the team, and the inclusion of Liam Livingstone proved advantageous. Ashutosh Sharma’s performance argued for his regular participation rather than as just an impact player. Almost four out of six games for Punjab ended in nail-biting finishes.