IPL 2022 | Whirlwind Rajasthan stifle Kings after chasing 190 with adroitness

Hurricane knocks from Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jos Buttler and Shimron Hetmyer have helped Rajasthan Royals gun down a mountainous target of 190 against the Punjab Kings.

Chasing 190, Rajasthan Royals got off to a breathtaking start as Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Jos Buttler went hammer and tongs from the very outset.

Jaiswal started off the proceedings by smashing Sandeep Sharma for a couple of fours, and a six in the first over before Buttler laid into Kagiso Rabada.

While the Englishman showcased his full range, smashing Rabada for a six and three fours in the fourth over. However, the Protea pacer eventually had the last laugh as Buttler failed to connect properly with his attempted scoop over the keeper to give a catch to Rajapaksa at short third-man.

Nevertheless, the Royals finished the powerplay at 67/1, post which Jaiswal and skipper Samson took the innings forward. The duo added 39 runs in the next 4.1 overs before Samson (23 off 12) fell to Rishi Dhawan.

At the halfway mark, Rajasthan were 95/2, and they needed another 95 to claim a win. However, Jaiswal, en route to a 33-ball 50, smashed Sandeep in the 11th over for consecutive fours.

But with Devdutt Padikkal struggling at the other end, the southpaw perished in trying up the ante.

With 47 needed off the last 30 deliveries, and Padikkal struggling, the onus once again fell on Shimron Hetmyer to see his team through. And the Guyanese smashed a couple of fours off Arshdeep in the 17th over to bring it down to 27 off 18.

Padikkal and Hetmyer proceeded to smash a couple of fours and six off Rabada (1/50 in 4) in the next over to bring it down to 11 off 12. However, Arshdeep bowled an excellent penultimate over where he conceded just 3 besides dismissing Padikkal.

But it wasn't meant for PBKS as Hetmyer smoked Rahul Chahar for a six in the last over before sealing the deal with a single.

Bairstow’s 50 & cameos from Rajapaksa, Jitesh & Livingstone lift PBKS to 189

Earlier, Punjab Kings rode on a half-century from Jonny Bairstow (56 off 40 deliveries) and epic cameos from Jitesh Sharma (38* off 18 deliveries), Liam Livingstone (22 off 14) and Bhanuka Rajapaksa (27 off 18) to power their way to 189/5 in 20 overs.

Batting first, PBKS got off to a brilliant start, with Bairstow and Dhawan tonking big runs in the power play.

Trent Boult and Kuldeep Sen came in for hammering from the opening duo, as Punjab racked up 48 runs in the first 5 overs before an introduction of spin proceeded to halt their juggernaut.

Ashwin came into the attack and struck immediately, thanks to a flying Jos Buttler at mid-on. And then, the English cricketer claimed a one-handed stunner to send Dhawan packing.

However, it didn’t impact Punjab’s intent as Rajapaksa joined Bairstow to continue with the onslaught. The Sri Lankan southpaw hammered a couple of fours and as many sixes during his 18-ball 27 and added 42 runs with Bairstow in the next 5.2 overs. But after a cracker of an innings, the Lankan was sent packing by Chahal.

Bairstow soon reached his first fifty of the season in 34 deliveries, but just as it looked that he and Mayank Agarwal would step up the gas now, Chahal returned and sent both packing.

While Agarwal holed out at long-on, Bairstow was trapped leg-before wicket. Chahal once again proved to be the pick of the bowlers for his side, finishing with figures of 3/28 in four.

However, the dual blows didn’t impact Punjab as Jitesh Sharma, and Liam Livingstone provided the perfect final flourish. The duo ensured that PBKS hammered 67 runs in the last five to finish at 189/5.

Brief Scores:

Punjab Kings- 189/6 (20)

Jonny Bairstow 56 (40), Jitesh Sharma 38* (18); 

Yuzvendra Chahal 3/28 (4)

Rajasthan Royals - 190/4 (19.4)

Yashasvi Jaiswal 68 (41), Shimron Hetmyer 31* (16); 

Arshdeep Singh 2/29 (4)

Rajasthan Royals won by six wickets.