Punjab Kings vs Rajasthan Royals Ball by Ball Commentary

That's it! Victory for Rajasthan! A full ball on middle. Shimron Hetmyer hits it aerially but just short of long on for a single and takes his team to an important win here. Rajasthan win by 6 wickets!

Another dot! A slightly quciker and shorter delivery on off. Shimron Hetmyer punches it to covers.

Dot ball! A flatter delivery and slightly shorter on middle. Shimron Hetmyer tucks it to short  fine leg.

SIX! Shimron Hetmyer lands a killer blow! A fuller ball on middle. Shimron Hetmyer gets under it and tonks it over long on for a maximum. Shimron Hetmyer has been brilliant this season for Rajasthan and he has almost done the job yet again today. Scores are level now!

WIDE! Ohh...not the start Punjab needed! Chahar delivers this down the leg side. Shimron Hetmyer looks to sweep it away but misses. 7 needed now.

Who will bowl the last then? He has 7 to defend and the skipper has given the ball to Chahar. This is a gamble but will it come off?

Dot ball! Top job from Arshdeep Singh! Nails another yorker on middle and leg from 'round the wicket. Parag looks to push it away but misses. The ball hits his pads but it is going down leg. 8 needed now from 6 balls!

OUT! CAUGHT! Wow, is there life left in this game still? 8 needed now from 7 balls! What an over this has been from the young Arshdeep Singh! It is a low full toss, outside off. Devdutt Padikkal looks to hit it away hard. However, he gets no timing and hits it straight to Mayank Agarwal at covers. The skipper makes no mistake and takes the catch to keep his team in the game.

This guy is simply outstanding! A perfect yorker again, outside off. Devdutt Padikkal manages to dig it out to covers.

Good over so far by Singh, just 3 singles! Nails a perfect yorker, outside off. Shimron Hetmyer just manages it to push it towards covers and they go for a quick single. The fielder there has a shy at the batter's end but misses.

Single again! A very full delivery, outside off. Devdutt Padikkal hits it wide of long off for a single.

Nails a yorker, outside off. Shimron Hetmyer just about manages to dig it out right of the bowler for a single.

FOUR! Boundary to end the over and 16 runs from this very important over! A shorter delivery on middle. Devdutt Padikkal clips it behind square on the leg side towards deep backward square leg fence for a boundary. Just 11 needed now from 12 balls!

On the shorter side, around leg. Shimron Hetmyer looks to pull but gets the inside edge on his body. A single taken towards the leg side.

SIX! Ohh...poor bowling this by Rabada and Shimron Hetmyer takes full advantage of it. A low full toss on leg. Shimron Hetmyer whips it over deep backward square leg for a maximum.

NOT OUT! Almost a wicket but in the end a dot ball! A short delivery, around leg by Rabada. Shimron Hetmyer looks to pull but misses. The keeper takes the catch and they appeal for a caught behind. The umpire though is not interested and Punjab take a review. The replays roll in and the UltraEdge shows no bat involved. So Shimron Hetmyer will continue.

On a length, around leg. Devdutt Padikkal works it to deep square leg for a single. Can Rabada get a wicket in this over?

FOUR! Big boundary this and much-needed one for Devdutt Padikkal! A short ball, around off. Devdutt Padikkal hangs back and pulls it towards deep mid-wicket for a boundary. Finally shows the intent that is required.

Just a single but the damage was done earlier in the over with two boundaries. A yorker, outside off. Devdutt Padikkal guides it to third man for a single. 27 needed now from 18 balls! This is getting close, folks!

Brilliant yorker from Arshdeep Singh! It is a wide yorker and Devdutt Padikkal fails to dig it out.

Almost a yorker on off. Shimron Hetmyer hits it to long on for a single.

WIDE! That is a tough call from the umpire! A yorker, outside off by Singh. It is just inside the tramline and Shimron Hetmyer leaves it. The umpire thinks it is wide but Punjab players are not happy.

FOUR! Goes again, back-to-back boundaries for Shimron Hetmyer! A fullish delivery on off. Shimron Hetmyer slams i towards the cow corner for another boundary. 30 needed now from 21 balls!

FOUR! Shimron Hetmyer is a key man here for Rajasthan! A low full toss, around off. Shimron Hetmyer heaves it left of long on for a boundary.

A full delivery on off. Devdutt Padikkal hits it to long on for a single.

A length delivery on middle. Devdutt Padikkal works it to deep backward square leg. Shimron Hetmyer looks for a second run but is sent back by his partner and Shimron Hetmyer puts in a dive to get back to his crease. The leg umpire has taken it upstairs as there is a run-out appeal but Shimron Hetmyer is well inside his crease.

Run out appeal but Hetmyer is in! We feel so he is in. We will have to wait to find out though.

Another dot delivery! On a length, on middle. Devdutt Padikkal pushes it back to the bowler.

A fullish delivery on middle. Devdutt Padikkal works it to mid-wicket. Again no intent from Devdutt Padikkal, he is going at less that run-a-ball.

WIDE! Rabada with a good short ball, on middle and leg. Devdutt Padikkal ducks under it. Wide called for height.

Drifting on the pads again. Shimron Hetmyer works it towards fine leg for a single.

FOUR! Shimron Hetmyer gets into the act with a lovely touch! A fullish delivery on middle and leg. Shimron Hetmyer just tucks it past short fine leg for a boundary.

On a length, around leg. Devdutt Padikkal works it behind square on the leg side for a single.

Goes fuller on off. Devdutt Padikkal drives it to long off for a single. Brilliant over from Arshdeep Singh, gives away just three runs and takes a big wicket. 47 needed now from 30 balls!

On a length, on off. Devdutt Padikkal blocks it out. It almost drags onto the stumps.

A length ball, around off. Shimron Hetmyer punches it to sweeper cover for a single.

On a length around leg. Shimron Hetmyer looks to work it towards the leg side but misses. The ball hits his pads and there is an appeal but it is going down leg.

OUT! CAUGHT! A fine innings from Yashasvi Jaiswal comes to an end and Arshdeep Singh strikes! Big, big wicket this! Arshdeep Singh was not happy with Liam Livingstone that he did not go for the catch in the last ball but this time, Liam Livingstone takes it and Arshdeep Singh is a happy man, finally. A fullish delivery, around off. Jaiswal goes for a big hit down the ground. However, he miscues it and the ball goes high in the air towards long off. Liam Livingstone settles under it and takes the catch to send back the danger man back to the pavilion. 49 needed now from 34 balls as Shimron Hetmyer walks out to the middle.

A slower full, on off. Foxes Devdutt Padikkal as he is early on his drive. The ball goes in the air and falls short of the long off fielder. A single taken.

Goes slightly shorter and quicker around off. Devdutt Padikkal late-cuts it to short third man for a single. 13 from this over and Rajasthan are cruising at the moment. 50 needed from 36 balls now!

FOUR! Nicely played by Devdutt Padikkal this time! A slightly shorter delivery, around off. Devdutt Padikkal cuts it towards deep backward point fence for a boundary.

A fuller delivery on middle. Jaiswal works it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

FOUR! Yashasvi Jaiswal is showing his full range here! A full delivery on middle. Jaiswal reverse-sweeps it and takes this ball on full. It goes through point for a boundary.

A flatter delivery on middle. Devdutt Padikkal works it to sqaure leg for a single.

Chahar goes full and around leg. Devdutt Padikkal sweeps it aerially towards deep backward square leg. The ball falls just short of Sandeep Sharma. He stops it quite well in the end and couple of runs are taken.

DRINKS! Have to say, Yashasvi Jaiswal is single-handedly taking his side home here! What a knock he is plaing and Rajasthan will believe, they are well and truly on top. More of the same is what they would want. Punjab on the other hand, need wickets, not one but maybe two. They surely need Yashasvi Jaiswal or this game will be over quickly. An important passage of play left.

FOUR! Another boundary! What a shot this is! Rishi Dhawan does not do much wrong, he bowls a very full delivery, around off. However, Jaiswal gets under it and slams it through the extra-cover region for a boundary. 14 from the over and now 63 needed from 42 balls!

FOUR! Innovative and clever stuff from Jaiswal! A full delivery, around off. Jaiswal gets across and reverse-sccops it over short third man for a boundary.

How did that miss the stumps? A length delivery, around leg. Jaiswal gets across and looks to slog-sweep it, he misses. The ball goes just past the leg pole towards the keeper.

A length ball, outside off. Devdutt Padikkal pushes it towards deep point for a single.

A low full toss, outside off. Jaiswal creams it to sweeper cover for a single.

FOUR! Once again, Yashasvi Jaiswal smashes the first ball of the over for a boundary! A length ball, around off. Jaiswal gets across and hits it right of long on and gets a boundary.

On middle and leg and quicker. Devdutt Padikkal works it to square leg. 77 needed now from 48 balls!

Fifty for Yashasvi Jaiswal! What a innings he is playing on his comeback game. Got off the blocks quickly and has now consolidated the start quite well. His team, though, needs him to carry on and get a big one here. A fuller delivery on leg. Jaiswal works it wide of long on for a single.

Good running! A fuller delivery on middle. Jaiswal works it to deep backward square leg and comes back for a couple.

Shorter and around off. Devdutt Padikkal cuts it to sweeper cover for a single.

Goes flatter and around off. Devdutt Padikkal punches it to covers.

A fuller delivery on leg. Yashasvi Jaiswal sweeps it to deep backward square leg for a single.

TWO WIDES! A fuller delivery and down the leg side. Devdutt Padikkal looks to clip it away but misses. The keeper fails to collect it and the batters run a bye as the ball goes towards short fine leg deflecting off his gloves.

11 from the over as Devdutt Padikkal takes a single off the last ball. On a length, around off. A slower one and Devdutt Padikkal checks his front foot push a bit and takes a single towards the off side. 84 needed now from 54 balls!

On a length, around off. Devdutt Padikkal dabs it to point.

A low full toss outside off and provides the wdith again. Jaiswal smashes it to sweeper cover for a single.

WIDE! It is a length ball and wider outside off. Jaiswal gets across and slashes his blade hard but misses.

Almost a yorker length, outside off. Jaiswal squeezes it to point this time.

FOUR! Two in two now! Sandeep Sharma is providing too much width for the batter to work with. It is full and around off. Yashasvi Jaiswal opens the face of his blade and guides it past short third man for a boundary.

FOUR! Sandeep Sharma comes back into the attack and Yashasvi Jaiswal is on the attack straightaway! it is full and outside off. Yashasvi Jaiswal smashes it over the in-field at the extra-cover region for a boundary.

A single to end a tidy over from Liam Livingstone! On the pads, this is swept towards short fine leg for one.

That one comes back in late, more like an arm-ball which swings in, it is pushed down to long off for one.

Just another single! On off, this is pushed down to long off.

Outside off, this is hit through covers for one.

WIDE! Slower but down the leg side. Wided.

On middle, defended.

On middle, this is worked down to long on for one.

Fuller and on off, Yashasvi Jaiswal strokes it through covers for one more. He is oozing in confidence now. He is walking at the bowlers.

Shorter in length and on off, Devdutt Padikkal pushes it through covers and gets to the other end.

A slower one now, length and on off, Padikkal guides it to point.

Jaiswal is timing it really well! Outside off, this is hit through covers for one.

Outside off, Devdutt Padikkal guides it down to third man for one.

Devdutt Padikkal is the next man in.

OUT! TAKEN! That is a massive wicket, massive, massive wicket for Punjab as they have got the Rajasthan skipper! Rishi Dhawan provides the goods. He is making it a habit of getting the opposition skipper. Got Pandya in the last game and now Samson and at the right time. A slower one, shorter in length. Samson steps out and looks to go over covers. This one does not arrive all that quickly. He hits it straight up in the air and the man at covers, Shikhar Dhawan takes it. 105 needed in 71.

SIX! Up and over! That is a beauty of a shot! Yashasvi Jaiswal makes room. This is bowled full and on middle, he lifts it over the cover fielder and it lands on the ropes. The last ball spoils the over completely.

That is a beauty! Flatter and on off, this one turns away. YJ is beaten as he tries to push at it.

Comes down the track but yorks himself, he jams it out towards backward point for one.

Fuller and on off, this is pushed down to long off for one.

Flatter and on middle, this is pulled through square leg for two.

Lands it well first up! Tosses it up on off, it is pushed down to long off for one.

DRINKS! This has been a fantastic start for Rajasthan despite losing Jos Buttler early. They are going at almost 11 an over and Punjab need wickets to stem the run-flow here. Rajasthan would hope that these two can carry the same momentum forward but it is also important for Samson to bat most part of the innings and not throw his wicket away as the required rate is already under control. An interesting passage of play coming up as it is time for some spin. Rahul Chahar is into the attack now.

A single to end! A good comeback from the bowler after going for a boundary on the first ball! On middle, this is eased down to long on for one.

A full toss outside off, this is slapped through covers for one.

Two dots in a row! Yashasvi Jaiswal looks to play the paddle scoop, Rishi bowls it full and wide outside off. Yashasvi Jaiswal misses.

A dot! They need a lot more of these! Shorter and on off, Yashasvi Jaiswal guides it to point.

Fuller and on off, Samson strokes it down the ground, it goes on the bounce to long off for one. The ball is pinging off the bat.

FOUR! That is glorious! Fuller and on off, Samson leans into it and creams it through extra cover for a boundary.

Rishi Dhawan is into the attack now.

A snigle to end and that is an amazing Powerplay for Rajasthan! This is full and outside off, this is hit through point for one. Rajasthan are 67 for 1 and only need another 123 in 84.

FOUR! That is brilliantly timed again! Shorter and outside off, Samson waits, opens the face of the bat and guides it past point for a boundary, Precision and timing there.

FOUR! Finds the gap! This is short and outside off, Sanju Samson slashes at it, it goes off the outside edge past short third man for a boundary.

A slower one on off, Yashasvi Jaiswal drops it on the off side and gets to the other end.

On a good length and on off, Yashasvi Jaiswal defends it.

That is a really good field placement from Punjab! They have a deep cover in place. They know Samson's strength. Fuller and outside off, this is driven through covers for one.

Pulls his length back, on off. Yashasvi Jaiswal punches it to covers.

FOUR! Yashasvi Jaiswal is looking in fine touch here! Pitched up, around off. Jaiswal gets in the line of the ball and smashes it straight down the ground for a boundary.

A yorker, outside off. Jaiswal squeezes it to backward point.

A fullish delivery on off. Samson drives it to long on for a single.

FOUR! Lucky for Samson and he gets off the mark with a boundary! A length delivery on off. Samson makes room and looks to drive but gets a thick outside edge, The ball races away towards the third man fence.

A full delivery, around off. Yashasvi Jaiswal drives it to deep cover for a single.

Sanju Samson walks out at number 3.

OUT! TAKEN! And the look in the Rajasthan dug out says it all! They are just not happy! With already so many runs coming off this over, not sure if this shot was needed on the last ball of this over. Buttler looks to play the paddle scoop, this is full and outside off. Buttler gets in a tangle, it somehow ends up going towards short third man where it is taken by Bhanuka Rajapaksa. That is a huge wicket. Buttler seemed in the mood but Rabada gets the big fish and his revenge. End of an eventful over.

FOUR! Thumped! Once again, not a bad delivery but such is the class of Buttler. Such is the power of Buttler! This is full and on off, he smacks it down the ground and to the long off fence.

Mistimed but safe! Two! Outside off, Buttler looks to go over covers, he ends up miscuing it over covers for two.

FOUR! 14 from the first three balls of this over and Buttler is in top gear now! Shorter and on off as he sees Buttler looking to play the paddle scoop, he does manage to get some bat, it goes wide of short fine leg for a boundary.

FOUR! Up and over! Rabada goes full this time, misses his length by a little. It is fuller and on off, Buttler hits it over covers for a boundary.

SIX! That is a massive hit, that is a monster! This is angled into the pads, Buttler clears his front leg and hammers this way over the mid-wicket fence. That is a huge one. A biggie on the first ball and pressure now on Rabada.

Yes, he does! Bowls it on middle, this is eased down to long on for one.

Another dot! Length and on off, Buttler pushes it to covers. Can Sandeep end the over well?

FOUR! Up and over! That is a strong shot! Not a lot wrong with the delivery, it is on a length and around off, Buttler lifts it over mid off for a boundary.

Good length and on off, Buttler looks to drive, it goes off the underedge on the off side.

Buttler walks down the track, this is bowled on his pads. He misses the flick. It hits the pad and goes behind to the keeper who dives to his left and makes a good stop.

Again width on offer, Yashasvi Jaiswal slaps it through point, this time there is protection in the deep so only one. Buttler now comes on strike. He has a good record against Sandeep.

A good short one to end! Buttler pulls, it hits the splice and goes towards mid on. Two dots to end so despite the boundary, only 6 from it.

A full toss, Buttler misses out as he strokes it to mid off.

FOUR! That is trademark Buttler! Brave stroke and it comes off! He gets into position early to play the ramp. Rabada bowls a full toss just outside off. He does manage to scoop it past short fine leg and into the fence.

Rabada does well to get a hand to it! Fuller and on off, Buttler pushes it back to the left of the bowler, Rabada dives and gets a hand to it.

On the pads, Yashasvi Jaiswal works it towards mid-wicket. The fielder fumbles and a run is taken.

Length and on off, Buttler hits it on the up towards mid off and gets to the other end. He is off the mark.

Kagiso Rabada will start from the other end.

FOUR! Flayed away! A boundary to end the first over and it is a huge one. 14 from it. This is short and wide outside off, Yashasvi Jaiswal stands tall and slaps it through covers. This one races away to the fence.

Outside off and shorter, swinging away. Yashasvi Jaiswal goes after it but no connection.

SIX! SMACK! That has gone a long way! What a shot and what a comeback in the side. This is on the pads, he loves it there, he lifts it over the square leg fence for a biggie.

FOUR! Gets this one away. This is shorter in length and well wide outside off, Yashasvi Jaiswal slashes at it, it races away through point for a boundary. Nice way to get off the mark!

Not sure why that was not signaled a wide! This is well wide outside off, Yashasvi Jaiswal slashes but misses.

Some swing there for Sandeep Sharma! Length and around off, shapes away. Left alone.

Single to end the innings! A fullish delivery on off. Rishi Dhawan drives it to extra-cover and takes a single. 16 runs from the final over and Punjab end with 189/5 after 20 overs!

A length delivery on middle. Sharma swings it off the inside half of his blade to deep backward square leg for a single. Jitesh Sharma is not happy with himself but he has done a great job.

FOUR! This is high-class stuff from this Vidarbha lad! A full delivery, around off. Jitesh Sharma creams it through extra-cover for a boundary. He has taken his team to a very good score, still two balls to go!

FOUR! Just over Jos Buttler at mid off and another boundary! A shorter delivery on off. Sharma slaps it and hits it over mid off for a boundary.

SIX! What a shot and this has been a superb knock from this young man. A low full toss on leg. Sharma whips it over deep square leg for a maximum.

Lovely delivery to start the over! A perfect yorker on middle and leg. Sharma looks to dig it out but misses. The ball hits his pads and goes towards the leg side. Rishi Dhawan at the non-striker's end looks for a single but is sent back. Sen runs to the ball and throws the ball at the bowler's end. He misses and a dot ball in the end.

Change! Kuldeep Sen will be bowling the last over. Can he help Rajasthan finish well?

FOUR! Rishi Dhawan is off the blocks with a boundary! A short ball on off. Rishi Dhawan stays deep in his crease and pulls it towards deep mid-wicket for a boundary.

OUT! BOWLED! Prasidh Krishna wins the battle now! Liam Livingstone is standing on the off pole and is almost showing his middle and leg stump to the bowler. Prasidh Krishna goes back 'round the wicket and serves it full, on off. Liam Livingstone looks to flick it away but misses and the ball shatters the stumps. Big wicket and this might make a difference of 10-15 runs to the final score. Rishi Dhawan is the next man in.

FOUR! Some good mind games going on between the batter and the bowler! Prasidh Krishna goes over the wicket and bowls on a length, outside off. Liam Livingstone gets across and scoops it towards fine leg for a boundary.

Good wide yorker! it is a yorker outside off. Liam Livingstone looks to dig it out but misses.

SIX! Smashed over the fence this time! Prasidh Krishna goes full and wide outside off. Liam Livingstone gets under it this time and tonks it over long off for a maximum.

WIDE! This time, Liam Livingstone gets across and Krishna bowls it further wider outside off. Liam Livingstone lets it go. This time it is a wide!

Dot ball to start the over! It is wide outside off and fuller and Liam Livingstone lets it go. It is way too wide outside off but the umpire does not call it wide. Liam Livingstone is not happy with that call.

A fuller delivery on off. Liam Livingstone pushes it to long off for a single. Can Punjab go over 180 here?

A fuller delivery on off. Sharma skips down the track and hammers it right of long off. Buttler runs across and keeps it to just a single.

WIDE! Chahal tires to be away from the hitting arc of Sharma and pushes it well outside off. Sharma leaves it alone and the umpire calls it wide.

Slower in the air, around leg and turning away. Jitesh Sharma looks to slog-sweep but misses.

A low full toss on leg. Liam Livingstone pushes it to long on for a single.

Hit hard again but just a single! Tossed up on off. Sharma skips down the track and hammers it to long off for a single.

SIX! Jitesh Sharma is showing why he was sent over Liam Livingstone! This is full on middle and leg. Sharma just lifts this using his strong bottom hand and it goes over the mid-wicket fence for a maximum.

Single to end the over! A very full delivery, around off. Sharma slices it to sweeeper cover for a single. 15 runs from the over!

FOUR! Another boundary! It is full and around off. Jitesh Sharma lifts this over mid off again and gets it away for a boundary. Nice placement and thinking from the young man.

FOUR! Short and wide outside off. Sharma stays deep in his crease and hits it towards long off. One bounce and into the fence. Nice shot from Jitesh Sharma.

NO BALL! Prasidh Krishna has overstepped here and it's a crime at this stage especially against these two! A low full toss, outside off. Liam Livingstone slices it to deep point for a single. Free Hit coming up.

Smashed but just a single! A low full toss outside off again. Sharma shimmies down the track and hammers it to deep extra cover for a single.

A low full toss, outside off. Liam Livingstone slices it to third man for a single.

It is full on off again from 'round the wicket. Sharma looks to drive it towards the off side. He gets the inside edge towards the leg side for a single.

WIDE! Krishna starts with a length delivery that is way too wide, outside off. Sharma lets it go.

SIX! That's huge! Liam Livingstone gets his first maximum of the day. It is tossed up on off. Liam Livingstone charges down the track and tonks it down the ground for a biggie. Till the time he is there, Punjab will feel that they can get over 180 here!

On the shorter side on off. Sharma goes back and pulls it to long on for a single.

Goes quicker and flatter on off. Sharma blocks it out.

It is full and outside off. Sharma slices it towards deep point. Boult runs to his left and dives to keep to just two.

Slower in the air and fuller, around off. Liam Livingstone drives it to sweeper cover for a single.

A flatter and quicker one on off. Liam Livingstone defends it towards the off side.

Ravichandran Ashwin is back on.

On middle, Liam eases it down to long on and gets to the other end. He is off the mark.

Lovely delivery, slower and gets it to dip again as it nears the batter, Liam pushes it to covers.

WIDE! Yet another one! Down the leg side this time. Liam looks to flick but misses. Wided.

WIDE! Slows it up and bowls it well wide outside off. Left alone.

DRINKS! Two wickets in one over for Yuzvendra Chahal and he has brought Rajasthan right on the top here. Jonny Bairstow and Bhanuka Rajapaksa had a solid partnership and Mayank Agarwal was also looking good out there in the middle. However, all three are gone now and Punjab will now hope that Liam Livingstone who walks in next will bat till the end and take them to a good score here.

OUT! THAT IS CLIPPING THE LEG POLE! JUST! That is such an unlucky dismissal! It could have gone either way but since the on-field decision is out, Jonny Bairstow has to walk back and Chahal has two in three and he has turned the game on its head. Can say, Punjab in a spot of bother. This seems to be the slider, it lands around leg and goes on with the arm. Bairstow looks to flick but misses to get hit on the pads. An appeal and the finger is raised. Bairstow reviews. Replays show that the ball is just about clipping the leg pole.

Fuller and on middle, this is eased down to long on for one.

Jitesh Sharma is the next man in.

OUT! TAKEN! Chahal has another one and he gets the Punjab skipper! Yet again a wicket as and when Punjab would have been eyeing to up the ante. And again, Agarwal falls to Chahal, probably for the 6th time. This is tossed up nicely, he gets it to dip around leg. Agarwal looks to go over long on, does not get the elevation he wanted as it was way too full. The fielder at long on takes an easy catch. Chahal only had two wickets in the last two games, he already has two now.

Flatter and on off, this is guided to point. Agarwal wants a run but is sent back in time.

WIDE! Good work from Samson! Down the leg side, Agarwal looks to flick but misses. Samson takes the bails off quickly.

Yuzvendra Chahal is back on.

Another run! So, despite the boundary, only 8 from the over. On off, Agarwal guides it to short third man for one.

Bairstow looks to target the off side which is the short side, he makes room but Boult follows him with a short one, this is guided to point for one.

Another slower one, fuller, this is eased down past the bowler towards long off for one.

A short one, slower, this is pulled through mid-wicket for one.

FOUR! Up and over! That is a lovely shot! Boult offers it full and outside off, a half volley. This is lofted over covers for a boundary.

Yet another delivery which Bairstow fails to put away! On the pads, with short fine leg there, he just needed to get a little bat on it, he fails to do so, it hits the pad and Samson stops it well by diving to his left.

Trent Boult (3-1-28-0) is back into the attack to bowl his final over.

Gets away with that one! A full toss on the pads, Jonny Bairstow is late on the flick, it hits the pad and rolls on the leg side. A run taken. End of a really good over from Sen. 4 from it only.

On middle, Agarwal now works it through mid-wicket and gets to the other end. Can Sen end this over well now?

Really well bowled but Jonny Bairstow is good enough to take a single off it and get to his half ton! His second innings as an opener and he gets to a half ton. Has not been the best of tournaments so far for him but this is a really good knock in an important game. This is fuller, this tails back in nicely. Bairstow looks to flick, he gets an inside edge onto the pads. It rolls on the leg side for one.

That is a good bumper, really gets it to bounce nicely. Bairstow shapes to pull but then bails out.

On middle, Agarwal works it through mid-wicket and gets to the other end.

On middle, Mayank Agarwal looks to flick but misses and gets hit high on the pads.

Angled into middle, Agarwal works it towards mid-wicket and gets to the other end. A good over for Punjab.

Drop and run! On off, flatter. this is pushed towards cover for one.

Good, sensible batting! After the two boundaries, plays it nicely towards point and takes one.

FOUR! Sheer timing again! Ashwin drags his length back now, he bowls it shorter and outside off. Agarwal waits and then guides it past point for a boundary.

FOUR! That is delightful, absolutely wonderful from Agarwal! Sheer timing! This is tossed up on off, this is driven through extra cover. Long off runs to his left but he has no chance.

On middle, this is worked through mid-wicket for one.

Almost! Chahal bowls it slower and well outside off. Jonny Bairstow looks to cut, he gets an underedge, it goes between the legs of the keeper and towards short third man for one.

The googly, Mayank Agarwal picks it and works it through mid-wicket for one.

On middle, this is flicked through square leg for one.

On the pads, Mayank Agarwal looks to flick, it goes off the pads towards short fine leg for one. Leg bye.

Mayank Agarwal walks out to the middle now.

OUT! TIMBER! Chahal gets his revenge and this should make him feel great! He has not been in the best of forms lately but strikes in his second over and breaks the stand that was looking dangerous. Bhanuka Rajapaksa steps down the track, Chahal fires this full and on the leg pole. Bhanuka Rajapaksa is late in getting his bat down. It sneaks under it and hits the leg pole. Timely wicket and can Rajasthan build on this? Yet another start for Bhanuka Rajapaksa, that has been his story in this tournament so far. Fails to go on.

Fires it on the pads, Jonny Bairstow looks to sweep but the ball goes off the inside edge of his blade onto his pads. A run taken towards short fine leg.

Prasidh Krishna goes for a short delivery on off. Jonny Bairstow pulls it nicely towards deep square leg for a single. Another good over for Punjab, 12 from it!

Outside off, this is hit towards deep cover for one.

Shorter and on middle, this is pulled through square leg for one.

A length delivery, around off. Bhanuka Rajapaksa steers it towards backward point for a single.

FOUR! Now a more convincing shot! A fullish delivery on off. Bhanuka Rajapaksa heaves it towards deep mid-wicket for a boundary.

FOUR! Prasidh Krishna is greeted with a boundary in the first ball of his new spell. It is on the shorter side and a slower one. Bhanuka Rajapaksa skips down the track but gets in a awkward position. He still goes for the pull shot and the ball goes off the top edge towards the fine leg fence for a boundary.

FOUR! Boundary to end the over and Jonny Bairstow now moves into 40s! Slightly shorter, around off. Jonny Bairstow cuts it hard through point and the ball races away towards the fence for a boundary. Another expensive over from Kuldeep Sen.

WIDE! A full delivery and down the leg side. Jonny Bairstow lets it go.

Ohh..how close is that? Sen with a full delivery, around off. Jonny Bairstow goes for a big swing across the line. He misses and the ball goes just past the off pole to the keeper. Lucky there Jonny Bairstow!

Back of a length, outside off. Bhanuka Rajapaksa cuts it firmly towards sweeper cover for a single.

Play and a miss this time! It is full and outside off. Bhanuka Rajapaksa goes for a big booming drive but misses.

SIX! Here we go... Bhanuka Rajapaksa with a big hit! A fullish delivery, around off. Bhanuka Rajapaksa dances down the track and slams it over long off for a maximum.

An appeal from the bowler but it is going down leg. A fullish delivery on leg. Bhanuka Rajapaksa looks to flick it but misses and the ball hits his pads.

Change!

Another single to end the over! 8 runs coming from it. A fuller delivery on middle. Bhanuka Rajapaksa pushes it to long on for a single.

Quicker and fuller on leg. Jonny Bairstow works it left of short fine leg for a single.

Quicker and flatter on middle and leg. Bhanuka Rajapaksa works it to mid-wicket for a single.

A slightly shorter delivery on middle. Jonny Bairstow pushes it to long on for a single.

FOUR! Jonny Bairstow likes playing his sweeps and reverse-sweeps. This time he brings out reverse-sweep to this full ball on off. He hits it in the gap through backward point for a boundary.

Ashwin goes flatter and shorter outside off. Jonny Bairstow cuts it to point.

DRINKS! Punjab have begun well! Yes, they have lost Dhawan but Jonny Bairstow has been the key so far for them. They would hope he can bat long and the others to bat around him and take themselves to a big score. Rajasthan on the other hand, will know a wicket or two and they can keep Punjab in check. An interesting passage of play coming up.

Lovely delivery again to end the over! Slower in the air and it is probably a googly this time, on off. Bhanuka Rajapaksa blocks it off the front foot.

Nicely bowled. Slightly quicker in the air, on off. Jonny Bairstow defends it off the front foot towards covers and takes a single.

A fuller delivery on leg. Bhanuka Rajapaksa works it behind square leg for a single.

Slower in the air, on off. Bhanuka Rajapaksa skips down the track and pushes it back to the bowler.

SIX! Bhanuka Rajapaksa likes playing his shots and he goes after Chahal this time. A tossed up delivery on off. Bhanuka Rajapaksa gets to the pitch of the ball and slams it over deep mid-wicket for a maximum.

A tossed up delivery on off. Bhanuka Rajapaksa blocks it off the front foot.

Change! Yuzvendra Chahal is on now!

Review time! Ashwin really liked it but his appeal for an LBW is turned down. Seems to be going down leg.

NOT OUT! Ashwin darts this around middle and leg. Jonny Bairstow looks to sweep but misses. The ball hits this pads and there is an appeal as the ball goes behind square on the leg side. Ashwin convinces Samson to take the review. The replays roll in and the UltraEdge shows no bat involved. The Ball Tracker rolls and it shows that the impact is outside leg. So Jonny Bairstow can continue.

Quicker and around off again. Jonny Bairstow cuts it to point this time.

Beaten this time! A flatter one, around off. Jonny Bairstow looks to cut it away but misses.

A fullish delivery on off. Bhanuka Rajapaksa drives it to covers for a single.

A flatter delivery on off. Bhanuka Rajapaksa blocks it off the front foot.

Bhanuka Rajapaksa walks out to bat now!

OUT! CAUGHT! What a catch by Jos Buttler! Just the moment of brilliance Rajasthan needed and the in-form Shikhar Dhawan departs! A fuller delivery on middle. Shikhar Dhawan looks to hit it over mid on. He almost gets it over Jos Buttler but the man just jumps and puts his right hand up to take a stunner. An early wicket for Ashwin and just the opening Rajasthan needed.

WIDE! Ashwin starts with a fuller delivery that is down the leg side. Shikhar Dhawan looks to clip it but misses. Wide called.

SIX! Smack! That has been nailed! End of a huge over for Punjab! On middle, this is heaved over the mid-wicket fence for a biggie.

Ravichandran Ashwin is into the attack now.

WIDE! This is well wide outside off. Left alone. Wided.

Boult gets away with one there! A full toss on the pads, Dhawan looks to flick but is early in the shot, it goes off the toe-end towards square leg for one.

FOUR! A boundary for Dhawan now and he joins the act. Will this get him going? On middle, he looks to heave it across the line, it goes more off the inner half through square leg for the second boundary in the over.

Now follows the boundary with one! Length and on off, this is guided to point for a single.

INSIDE EDGE AND FOUR! Luck just not on Rajasthan's side at the moment! Length and on middle, Bairstow looks to heave it over the leg side, it goes off the inside edge past the off pole and down to the fine leg fence. All of this is much-needed for Bairstow who has been struggling for runs.

Dhawan shuffles across, Boult sticks to the off pole line, also lands it on a length. This is worked through square leg for one. Not a bad thing getting Bairstow on strike who is batting well.

A dot to end but a good over for Punjab! A much-needed one after a series of singles and dots. The last ball is shortish and around off, it is guided to point.

FOUR! Make that two in a row! Really good shot, picked the length early. Shorter and on middle, this is pulled through mid-wicket for a boundary. Bairstow is off to a good start here.

FOUR! That is a welcome boundary! Slightly shorter and just outside off, Jonny Bairstow cuts it hard into the ground, it goes over the leaping point fielder and into the fence behind.

The runs have just dried up a little now! Another single only! Shorter and on off, Dhawan chops it to covers for one.

Ambitious appeal but nothing! Pressure building on Dhawan here. He is struggling to get going! On the pads, Dhawan looks to flick but misses to get hit on the pads.

WIDE! Strays in line this time! Bowls this one down the leg side. Dhawan looks to flick but misses. Wided.

Good quick run! Fuller and on off, Jonny Bairstow is a touch late on the drive, it goes more off the toe-end towards cover for one.

Kuldeep Sen is into the attack now.

He does bowl a maiden! That should make Boult feel really good. Dhawan steps out, Boult pulls his length back a little and bowls it outside off. Dhawan slashes but misses again. Excellent over by Boult.

That fell just short! Boult goes fuller this time, shaping away, Dhawan looks to drive, it goes uppishly but short of extra cover. 5 dots in a row, can Boult bowl a maiden?

Make that 4 in a row now! Outside off, on the shorter side, Dhawan guides it to point.

Really well bowled! Three dots in a row now! On off, length, Dhawan pushes it to covers.

Another play and a miss! Outside off, on the shorter side, Dhawan goes after it but is beaten again.

Swing and a miss! Dhawan steps out, Boult shortens the length. Dhawan slashes at it but misses.

Will Trent Boult continue? Yes, he does.

A slip and a single! On off, this is pushed towards cover, the fielder slips as he tries to stop the ball, pushes it away from him and the batters take one. It is a good start for Punjab.

Back of a length and on off, Dhawan plays it on the off side.

FOUR! Off the edge and another boundary! Short and wide outside off, Dhawan throws his bat at it, this goes off the outside edge, fine on the off side, past the widish first slip fielder and into the third man fence. Third boundary already.

A quick run! Fuller and on off, this is pushed to mid off for one.

Good delivery! Length and on off, this lands and jags back in. Bairstow looks to defend but gets an inside edge onto the pads.

A ball closer to the body, cramps the batter for room. Dhawan looks to flick but misses, it hits the pad and rolls on the off side. A leg bye taken.

Prasidh Krishna will start from the other end.

BEATEN! Still though a good first over for Punjab! Outside off, Bairstow slashes but misses.

Off the inside edge now! Goes back to over the wicket, angles this away from the off pole. Jonny Bairstow looks to cut but it goes off the inside edge to the left of Samson who was moving to his right, he dives, does slow it down, it goes towards third man and two is taken.

FOUR! The change of angle does not work, he strays on the pads again, Bairstow works it past short fine leg and this one races away to the fence too.

Two dots after the boundary then! On a length and around off, defended.

A little too straight again, Bairstow flicks but to mid-wicket this time.

FOUR! What a start for Jonny Bairstow and Punjab! A boundary to get off the mark! This one is a little too straight, it does swing back in. Bairstow flicks it through mid-wicket for a boundary.

We are all set to begin! So it is Jonny Bairstow who comes out to open the batting for Punjab alongside Shikhar Dhawan. Rajasthan players are out there in the middle as well. Trent Boult to start with the ball for Rajasthan. Here we go...

So Rajasthan have brought back Yashasvi Jaiswal but the question is will he open the batting? They have Devdutt Padikkal who has done decently at the top of the order too, so it will be interesting to see who opens alongside Jos Buttler. On the other hand, the same question applies to Punjab too. Who will open alongside Shikhar Dhawan? Will it be Jonny Bairstow or Mayank Agarwal? Let's find out!

Liam Livingstone is down for a chat. He says the six he hit at Leeds and in the last game are very different. Mentions he does not have a solid defense so he enjoys hitting it big and hitting biggies is more about confidence and he tries to put the bowler under pressure. Informs it wasn’t a plan to finish it in that over (Shami  over in the last game) but he took the chance as it was the shorter boundary. Adds he works hard on his consistency and he hopes he can do better today.

Rajasthan (Playing XI) - Jos Buttler, Devdutt Padikkal, Sanju Samson (C) (WK), Yashasvi Jaiswal (In place of Karun Nair), Riyan Parag, Shimron Hetmyer, Ravichandran Ashwin, Trent Boult, Prasidh Krishna, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Sen.

Punjab (Unchanged Playing XI) - Jonny Bairstow, Shikhar Dhawan, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Liam Livingstone, Mayank Agarwal (C), Jitesh Sharma (WK), Rishi Dhawan, Kagiso Rabada, Rahul Chahar, Arshdeep Singh, Sandeep Sharma.

Sanju Samson, the skipper of Rajasthan, says they would have loved to bat first too. Adds they are balanced side and they are okay to do both and they just want to have some fun. Reckons the spinners might get some help. Informs Karun Nair misses out and Yashasvi Jaiswal comes in.

Mayank Agarwal, the skipper of Punjab, says it looks like a good wicket and it might get slower and they would like to put up a score on the board. Adds it is hot and it might turn in the second innings. Mentions Livingstone did really well in the last game and he hopes they can continue. Ends by saying they are unchanged.

TOSS - The coin goes up and lands in favour of Punjab. They have elected to BAT first.

Pitch report - Ian Bishop is down for the pitch report. He says that this is not the biggest ground and there is high scoring rate from 16th to 20th over and yorkers are important for seamers in the death overs. He says that there is fair amount of grass on the one side of the pitch and the ball might skid on and the other side it bit dry and spinners will get help there. Overall, he says that we can expect a high-scoring contest.

Punjab, on the other hand, have blown hot and cold this season. It is their inconsistency that they need to address and it is just the right time in the season to do so. They notched up a confidence-boosting win in the last game against the table-toppers, Gujarat and would be looking to continue the same momentum forward. Can they hand Rajasthan their third successive loss? Or will Rajasthan get back to winning ways? We shall find out. Toss and team sheets in a while.

Rajasthan have been pretty good this season but are coming into this game on the back of two consecutive losses. They have the leading run-scorer and leading wicket-taker of the season in their ranks but they would like their middle-order to contribute more especially when Jos Buttler and Sanju Samson fail to get going.

It is time for Super Saturday to unveil its magic as Punjab take on Rajasthan in game number 52 at the Wankhede Stadium. It’s a day game and both these teams will be looking to beat the heat and come out on top as the race for the playoffs heats up.

... MATCH DAY …