IPL 2023 Live Report - Punjab Kings vs Rajasthan Royals, Dharamsala

It got quite nervy in the end, but Rajasthan Royals finished on the right side of the result in Dharamsala, beating and eliminating Punjab Kings in a four-wicket win while also keeping their outside playoff chance alive.

Even while Dhruv Jurel hit a six in the fourth ball of the 20th over to seal the win, the Royals’ victory was set up by their left-hand batting trio of Yashasvi Jaiswal (51), Devdutt Padikkal (50), and Shimron Hetmyer (44).

Jaiswal and Padikkal dragged Royals out of a sticky position - with Jos Buttler and Sanju Samson failing - while Hetmyer ensured the run-rate did not go out of hand in the back end.

The Kings had a realistic chance of victory after Jitesh Sharma, Sam Curran and Shahrukh Khan overcame a top-order batting collapse to take their side to 187 in the first innings. They came into the game needing a mammoth win to boost their NRR, and even though they knew that wouldn’t happen midway through the chase, they fought till the very end to make Royals squirm.

Royals now set their eyes on Sunday’s action. To qualify, they need Mumbai Indians to lose to Sunrisers Hyderabad and also for Royal Challengers Bangalore to lose by atleast six runs to Gujarat Titans in the league stage’s last fixture.

Dhruv Jurel with a six in the fourth ball of the 20th over to seal the win. Royals had to win in 19.3 overs but we did say that they could afford to win in 19.4 if they finished with a boundary. That has happened and Jurel has taken the Royals out of a sticky spot with some late wickets. Royals win by four wickets and keep their outside chance of playoffs alive. They now need to hope Mumbai Indians lose and then Royal Challengers Bangalore lose by around six runs.

Hetmyer smacks a four but then falls next ball at cover trying to repeat it. Dhawan claims a low catch, celebrates with a thigh-five and the TV umpire confirms it. This is worst-case scenario for Royals but Hetmyer has impressed with a quickfire 46. Jurel at the non-striker's end as the Royals' bowlers now come out to bat. Royals need 9 in 7

It's all happening. Curran thought he had Hetmyer caught behind but the review from Royals was successful. After that Rabada oversteps, and Parag hits the free-hit for a six, and for good measure deposits the next one too. But Rabada has Parag's wicket off the last ball. 14 off that over, Royals need 19 in 12. While Hetmyer's out there, Royals are favourites.

Padikkal fell just after reaching 50, and Jaiswal has done the same. Tried the reverse sweep and got caught behind point. Priety Zinta is delighted as the pendulum swings again. Riyan Parag in next with Royals needing 51 in 33

Perfect time to dive into this interesting chat between Tom Moody and Sanjay Manjrekar then: on Riyan Parag and Royals' thinking when it comes to him.

In the eight balls since the last update, the two left-handers have smashed 21 runs, including 18 off Sam Curran. Curran's just been out of sorts this whole season, and is now wicketless for 30 runs in two overs.

While Hetmyer's 27 in 13, Jaiswal has raised his bat after reaching his own 50 in 35 balls. Royals 75% favourites according to the forecaster with them needing 52 in 34 balls

He's got the fastest IPL fifty. He's also got a hundred this season. In IPL 2023, Yashasvi Jaiswal has set the record for most runs in a season for an uncapped cricketer. He is second on the run-getters list, has the most MVP points according to the IPL website, and is the leading contender for the Emerging Cricketer award.

But this is where he needs to shine - in a game Royals simply cannot afford to lose. Royals in a very tricky position with Samson and Buttler failing. He got the luxury, early on, of not having to be very aggressive while Padikkal was going. With Hetmyer beside him now, he still doesn't have to pull the trigger in terms of changing gears, but he would love to bring the Royals home unbeaten. He's on 40 in 30.

Hetmyer, meanwhile, is off the blocks quickly with two sixes. He's on 15 with Royals needing 77 off 44

And Punjab Kings are well and truly back in the game. Soon after reaching his 50 in 29 balls, Padikkal cuts Arshdeep Singh to point in the 10th over and Samson then flicks Rahul Chahar in the 11th over straight down Rishi Dhawan's throat. From a comfortable 85/1, Royals have slipped to 91/3 in 11 overs. The required run-rate has climbed to 11.

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#GameOn

He was a bit lucky with a six early on, but otherwise Padikkal has batted beautifully at No. 3. Once again proves he's a top-three batter, and his technical difficulties come out more when batting lower down.

Also props to the Royals for sending a left-hander in, instead of Samson, after Buttler's dismissal. Conventional wisdom loves a left-right combination, especially early in the powerplay.

We're now entering the middle overs with both batters on course for a half-century and Royals 72/1 in 8.2 overs

The two left-handers Jaiswal and Padikkal have taken a liking to the point region in the powerplay. They're both off the blocks rapidly with some well-timed slaps behind square. It all started off with Jaiswal hitting Curran for three fours in the opening over.

The only positive for the Kings has been Buttler's wicket. They've also brought in Nathan Ellis as the Impact Player, he begins with a tidy first over. Royals 46/1 in five overs (Jaiswal 22*, Padikkal 23*)

Rabada gets a full ball to slide into his pads and Buttler's poor second half comes to an end with another duck, his third in a row.

Sampath Bandarupalli also tells me that Buttler is now the first man in IPL history to get five ducks in one season. Royals 16/1 in 1.5 overs

Rajesh S has done the math for us.

Royals need to chase this in 19 overs to go above RCB's current NRR. They can get there in 19.1 overs if the last ball is a four or six, Aditya Tare style.

For Punjab Kings, it is a very steep effort ahead. PBKS need to restrict Royals to 65 to go above RCB's current NRR. But maybe they'll feel a little hopeful because Royals were all out for 59 the other night.

[The above calculation is based on RCB losing their last game by one run / off the last ball. Both teams will naturally have a bit more breathing space if RCB suffer a heavier defeat. For example, IF RCB lose to Titans by 10 runs then Kings restricting the Royals to 74 tonight would be enough, instead of 65. The same number is 19.3 overs 19.6 overs for the Royals.]

...Punjab Kings have finished on 187. The hosts have smacked 48 runs in the last two overs bowled by Royals' two most experienced bowlers and taken 70 off the last five.

Momentum with Punjab Kings in this must-win game for Rajasthan Royals. Curran finishes on 49 in 31 balls having faced zero deliveries off Boult's 20th. Shahrukh got two fours and a six to really rub it in. He was 41 in 23.

This innings has turned and how. And it took just one over to do that. Curran and Shahrukh absolutely maul Chahal in his final over and it has gone for 28. Could've been 4 less but there was a dropped catch off Curran in the deep.

It is just the kind of over Royals did not need. From potentially finishing around 160, Kings can aim now for 185. Chahal looks disgusted with himself after that final over. Finishes with 0/40.

Adam Zampa wasn't even supposed to play. Ashwin's back spasm this evening forced him into the XI. And he's now finished with 1/26, with just two boundaries in that spell.

Chahal has quietly gone even better - economy wise - with 12 runs only in three overs, but hasn't been able to extend his lead on the purple cap leaderboard.

Was batting to blame or bowling? Maybe a mix of both, say Tom Moody and Sanjay Manjrekar in our studios. Also a chat on Dhawan's captaincy.

Meanwhile, this poll is like a jinx for Jitesh because he is out next ball for a 28-ball 44. He was just beginning to get his engine revved up in Navdeep Saini's 14th over (check below) but another short ball from the pacer has the batter out. Saini's third wicket, that.

Two fours and two sixes in their partnership of 50 in 6.3 overs. For Dharamsala standards, a partnership at a run-rate of under 7.50 is not impressive but having got together at 50/4, there wasn't much else that Jitesh and Curran could do.

Punjab Kings 100 for 4 in 13 overs with a projected total of 162 according to ESPNcricinfo's forecaster.

Dhawan started his innings at breakneck speed but a couple of tidy overs from Boult reined him in. In between, Navdeep Saini - playing only his second game of the season - had Taide caught with a short ball, and much to the Kings' dismay, Adam Zampa has Dhawan lbw on 17.

This is perfect for the Royals. Punjab Kings 48/3 in 5.3 overs with Livingstone and Curran out there. Punjab's first three four overs got them 42 but could add only six more in the two overs from Boult and Zampa.*

(* sorry, I pressed the submit button too soon. Navdeep clatters Livingstone's stumps in the seventh over to send them 50/4 in 6.3)

Meanwhile Dhawan has taken a liking to Sandeep Sharma. That's forced Samson to stand up to the stumps because Dhawan is using his feet. Taide breaks his own shackles with another four to get off the mark after six deliveries. Punjab Kings 18/1 in two

Just in case this is Trent Boult's last appearance of IPL 2023, he wants to serve a reminder that he's the best first-over bowler of the season.

But it's not the typical Boult new-ball wicket. There was just a bit of swing into Prabhsimran and he met a defensive shot with hard hands. Boult wicket a caught-and-bowled.

And Boult very nearly had a second caught-and-bowled wicket, but this was tougher, much closer to the ground, and Taide survives on 0. Punjab Kings 2/1 in one over.

It is very simple for both sides - a win is necessary, but Punjab Kings' strategy will be different from Rajasthan Royals.

Because the Kings have such a big NRR difference to make up, they will try to ATTACK ATTACK and ATTACK with the bat. And then with the ball, they shouldn't shy away from having extra catching options through the innings because they need a massive margin of victory. Anything else is simply not enough for the season.

The Royals on the other hand need a small NRR boost to go above RCB, and therefore may be more circumspect in their bowling innings. They don't want to concede a score too far above par because they will need to win with around 9 balls to spare to get that NRR jump (we'll know the exact figure once we know the target later). They can't afford to take this game very late in the chase and we may just see some defensive field-placement plans.

Even then, it may all be wasted if RCB and/or Mumbai win.

"In T20s, you need to learn to forget old things", says Sanju Samson. He talks about being humble and respecting the conditions. But he wears a smile. He won the toss and Royals bowl first.

R Ashwin has a last-minute back spasm, so he is out.

Shikhar Dhawan says the dew was same in both innings in the previous Dharamsala game. So he's feeling okay batting first. "Just came here to enjoy the game. Want to end the season on a high note."

It's been a fiery IPL 2023. I suspect its because home-and-away games have brought out the extra passion among the players, but we've seen Nitish Rana v Nehal Wadhera, part 2 of Virat Kohli v Gautam Gambhir (plus some of Naveen Ul Haq)and a few more.

We caught up with Ravi Shastri on Runorder recently to ask, does the IPL need more needle?