Punjab Kings vs Rajasthan Royals Indian Premier League, 2021

RAJASTHAN HAVE DONE IT! What a superb over from Tyagi! He is the reason that Rajasthan have gone past the finish line. They have snatched victory from the jaws of defeat. Punjab just needed 4 off the final over but they have failed to win this game. A pinpoint yorker, outside off, Allen tries to hit this one out but misses. RAJASTHAN WIN BY 2 RUNS!

Fabian Allen walks in next. Three to win the game, 2 to take it into the Super Over.

OUT! CAUGHT! WOW! What a game this is turning out to be! Another wicket and Rajasthan are in the driving seat now. On a length, wider outside off again, Deepak Hooda reaches out and looks to play this to the off side but the ball takes the outside edge and Sanju Samson is not going to drop this. 3 more needed on the last ball!

DOT! 3 needed in 2 now! Wider, fuller, outside off, Deepak Hooda moves across and looks to play at this but misses. Valuable dot.

Who will come out next? Fabian Allen or Deepak Hooda? It's Deepak Hooda.

OUT! CAUGHT! Is there a twist in the game? Nicholas Pooran loses his wicket at the very end of the innings and he fails to close the game out for his side. A fuller ball, slanting across the southpaw, Pooran just looks to guide this to the off side but only manages a thin outside edge, which is gobbled up by Sanju Samson behind the sticks. 3 more needed in 3 balls!

Just one! Fuller this time, around off, Aiden Markram swings across the line but only manages an inside edge to deep square leg for one. 3 needed in 4 balls!

Good start by Tyagi! Dot ball. A full toss, around off, hit to the fielder at covers. 4 needed in 5 now!

Yes, he can! Just a run off the final ball and just 4 from the over. Around middle, this is hit through covers for one. 4 more needed in 6 balls.

Fullish, on off, jammed out through mid on for one. A really good penultimate over so far from the Fizz. Can he end it well?

Great stop by Chetan Sakariya! Saved a certain boundary there. A touch short, slower in pace again, on middle, Aiden Markram moves to the leg side and looks to cut this one away. He only manages an outside edge, which goes to the right of the keeper. Samson flies, but fails to grab it. It deflects behind and Chetan Sakariya dives to his left at short third man to stop the racing ball. Only a single.

Fuller again, outside off, Nicholas Pooran looks to dig it out but only manages an outside edge down to third man. The fielder there is standing very straight and hence only a single.

Well bowled by the Fizz! A full toss, outside off, dipping down, Pooran gets low and looks to push this but fails to connect.

Short and wide outside off, Nicholas Pooran looks to fire his cut away but misses.

Just 8 more needed now! A full toss, around off, Pooran just taps this to point for one.

Overthrows! Around off, length, pushed towards mid on. Aiden Markram sends Pooran back as the fielder scores a direct hit at the non-striker's end. There is no one backing up and the batters then take the run.

A full toss, around middle and leg, above waist height, but dipping down. Aiden Markram just sits under this one. The umpire does not move and does not indicate anything.

Around off, hit across the line to the leg side for one. Brings up the 50-run stand between Pooran and Markram. Just 10 more needed now!

Fuller, around off, hit towards mid on for one.

SIX! High and handsome! That was very, very, veryyyyy big! One South African gets the better of the other! Morris serves this slower, on a length, around off, Aiden Markram picks this delivery early and smokes this one way over deep mid-wicket.

A single to end the 17th over. Around off, pushed through mid off for one. 14 from the over and Punjab need 18 more from 18 balls.

Slower, back of the hand from the Fizz, on middle, Aiden awkwardly fends it out to the off side.

Wider outside off, a length delivery, Nicholas Pooran looks to clear the cover boundary but only manages to loft this in the deep. It lands safe and two fielders ensure that the ball does not cross the ropes. Three taken.

SIX! SHOT! That is a monster of a shot. Clean stroke. Around off and middle, on a length, Nicholas Pooran pumps this one all the way over deep mid-wicket. This is the highest score of Nicholas Pooran in the Indian T20 League, 2021, so far.

Shortish, outside off, NP looks to flash but misses his shot.

EDGY FOUR! Pooran will take that. Punjab will take that. Length delivery, closer to off, Nicholas Pooran looks to chop this away but the ball takes the outside edge and speeds away to the third man fence, beating the fielder to his right.

Strategic Time-Out! 32 needed more off 24 balls and it's turning out to be a pretty straightforward chase for Punjab. They did lose their openers in quick succession but Aiden Markram and Nicholas Pooran have batted sensibly so far. Rajasthan need wickets in a heap to get back in this match. Can they do it? Here is Mustafizur Rahman to operate after the break...

Another single as Nicholas Pooran gently dabs this to the point region. The fielder has a shy at the striker's end but he misses. A tidy over from Morris, just 6 off it.

Outside off, on a length, worked to the fielder at mid off for one.

WIDE. This is slipped down the leg side, Aiden misses his tuck.

Length, around off, Aiden Markram punches this to the right of mid off, where Yashasvi Jaiswal dives and stops the ball.

Slower, around off, length, Pooran taps this to point for an easy single.

Around off, on a length, driven aerially through cover-point for a run.

Shortish, around off, Pooran pulls this through mid-wicket for one.

FOUR! Spoils a good over! Tyagi serves a half-volley around off, Markram shows the full face of his bat and crunches it down the ground for a boundary. No chance for long off. 38 needed off 30 balls.

Very full and on off at 135.9 kph, Pooran drives it to extra cover and steals a single.

Beaten again! This is excellent bowling from Kartik Tyagi. Varies his pace and bowls it at 108 clicks. Full and outside off, Pooran is early into his attempted drive and misses.

Beaten! Kartik Tyagi angles across a length ball, outside off, Nicholas Pooran tries to play a booming drive but fails to connect.

A bouncer around leg, Pooran ducks.

Starts this spell with a fuller delivery on middle, Aiden Markram flicks it through mid-wicket for a single.

SIX! Hammered away! That's a mighty fine shot.  Shortish and around off, Nicholas Pooran latches onto it and launches it over long on. 44 needed off 36 balls.

Change. Kartik Tyagi returns. 2-0-22-0 so far.

Forces a full ball down to long off for a single.

FOUR! Poor line and length from Riyan Parag. Short in length and down the leg side, Markram goes for the pull shot but ends up gloving it wide of short fine leg for a boundary.

Tossed up around leg, Pooran kneels and paddles it behind square leg for a single.

A side-arm delivery, below sea level as Sunil Gavaskar would call, it's full and on middle, Pooran clips it in front of square leg for two.

Great running between the wickets! Slightly short and outside off, Pooran powers it down to long on and they take two.

OUT! Caught! Both the set batsmen dismissed and Rajasthan have an opening now. Rahul Tewatia gives this one a good flight and serves it on a fuller length outside off, Mayank Agarwal probably was looking for an inside-out shot over extra cover but all he manages is a thick outside edge on his shot. Ends up slicing it to deep point where Liam Livingstone completes the catch. 60 needed off 42 balls.

Nicholas Pooran is the new man in. He did not have the best of outings in the first phase of the tournament. Will he be able to redeem himself in UAE? Also, Riyan Parag is into the attack.

Knocks a full ball down to long on and rotates the strike.

NOT OUT! Flatter one, around middle, Mayank steps back and slaps it to covers.  Yashasvi Jaiswal makes a diving stop there and seeing that, Mayank Agarwal is sent back by Aiden Markram. There is a direct hit at the striker's end and the ball now deflects to mid-wicket. The batters cross. The appeal is made for a run out but Agarwal is found to be safe in the replays.

Googly, full and around off, Markram drives it back towards the bowler who fails to stop it and the ball travels to long off. Markram is away with a single.

Run out appeal taken upstairs. Mayank Agarwal seems to be safe, though. Yes, Mayank is safe, as per the replays.

Loopy delivery, it lands full and around off, Mayank goes down on one knee for the slog-sweep but doesn't get the right connection. It flies over mid on and goes on one bounce to the fielder in the deep. A single taken.

Flighted and on middle, Mayank Agarwal works it in front of square leg and scampers back for the second run.

Change. Rahul Tewatia (2-0-17-0) to roll his arm again.

Fuller and slower on off, Aiden defends it on the leg side. Looks for a run but is sent back. End of a successful over from Chetan Sakariya.

OUT! Caught at short third man! KL Rahul runs out of his luck. Three dropped catches earlier but this one has been accepted by the fielder. Another opener gets dismissed on 49 in this match. Chetan Sakariya serves it a bit short around off and takes it away with the angle, KL Rahul rocks back to cut but it finds the outer half of the blade and goes straight to Kartik Tyagi. He hangs on to the catch and finally, Rajasthan have a breakthrough. Can they capitalize?  66 needed off 49 balls.

Aiden Markram walks out at Number 3.

Easy pickings. Chetan Sakariya bowls a gentle delivery outside off, on a length, it's hit through point for another run.

On a good length outside off, change of pace, Rahul plays it down to cover-point for one.

Short and wide outside off, Rahul tries to cut but ends up chopping down towards short third man.

Wide! Angling away from the batsman, wide outside off, Rahul leaves it. Reload.

FOUR! Rahul moves to 48! Chetan Sakariya serves it full and wide outside off, Rahul shuffles across the stumps and smacks it through covers for a boundary.

Quicker one, short and around off, Mayank Agarwal shapes up for an inside-out shot but then flat-bats it through point for a couple. 73 needed off 54 balls.

Some flight on this one as it lands full around off, Rahul forces it over the bowler's head and it falls safely in the deep. They cross.

Will Chris Morris continue with the ball? Nopes. Chetan Sakariya (2-0-24-0) is bought back into the attack.

Fires in a very full ball around leg, Mayank Agarwal drills it down to long on for a single.

Doing it with ease. Full and around off, Rahul plays it down with soft hands to covers and rotates the strike.

Short again, around off, Mayank Agarwal goes back and slaps it past the extra cover fielder for a single.

Mahipal Lomror drags his length short and serves it on off, Rahul pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

FOUR! 25 off the 10th over and Punjab are cruising at the moment! Outside off this time, it is served on a length by the Saffa, Mayank Agarwal just calmly plays the inside-out shot over covers and gets a boundary. 80 more needed from 60 balls!

Slower, on middle, nudged through square leg for one.

FOUR! This is turning out to be a very expensive over. Another boundary. Brings up the 100-run stand between these two as well. This is the fourth time these two have crossed 100 with their partnership. On a length, around middle and leg, KL Rahul goes back and just tucks this through backward square leg.

WIDE. Morris hurls a length ball down leg again, KL misses his tuck. Wide signalled. A smile now on Samson's face. He walks down to Morris and has a quick word with him.

TWO WIDES. Whoops. On a length, but way outside off, MA leaves it and Sanju fails to stop the ball cleanly with the dive. One more run taken. Rajasthan are struggling with dew, it seems.

SIX! FIFTY FOR MAYANK AGARWAL! What a knock this has been from him so far. He started off slow, but he has picked up the pace and gets to his fifty in 34 balls. He will know though that the job is not done and will want to hang around for longer. Again, Morris strays and serves a length delivery down the leg side, easily clipped over fine leg by Agarwal for his second biggie of the over.

Much better from Morris! A pacy delivery, short of a length, closer to off, Mayank looks to slash it away but it is too close to be cut. He misses his shot.

WIDE. Angling down the leg side again, MA looks to pull but misses.

SIX! WHOA! So easily done by him. Gone straight into the crowd. On a length, angling down the leg side, Mayank Agarwal just whips this one off his pads all the way over fine leg. Moves to 48 now, does Agarwal.

Chris Morris is called back into the attack. 0/6 in his 1 over so far.

Just a single as Mayank lofts this to the left of long on, who moves that side and stops the ball on the bounce.

Tossed up, around off, KL skips down and mistimes his shot towards long on. Gets one more run.

A touch shorter, on middle, Agarwal pulls this hurriedly over mid-wicket for one.

FOUR! Mayank Agarwal loves hitting down the ground and it is working out for him as well. Straight as an arrow, this! Fuller, on middle, Mayank Agarwal spanks this one over the bowler and bags a boundary.

KL Rahul goes back and knocks this shortish ball down to long on and rotates the strike.

Flighted, fuller, around off, Agarwal gets low and drags his shot through mid-wicket. One run.

Fullish this time, around off, hit down the ground to long off for a run. 15 from the over! 114 needed off 72 balls.

Good-length ball, on off, KL punches this through point for a single.

On the pads, flicked to deep square leg for a run.

FOUR! Make that 3 in a row! Riyan Parag tried hard to prevent the boundary but it was not meant to be. Overpitched delivery, outside off, Mayank Agarwal lofts this one over the bowler. Parag runs to his left, dives and pushes the ball away, but he tumbles past the rope. By the time he can get back up, the ball goes on to touch the fence.

FOUR! Elegant shot. He made it look so effortless. Beautiful from Agarwal. Around off, on a length, Mayank Agarwal gives it the full punch of the bat and lofts it over extra cover for a boundary.

EDGY FOUR! Unfortunate for Tyagi! On a length, wider outside off, Mayank Agarwal looks to smash this one through the covers but the ball catches the outside edge and runs away to the third man fence.

Kartik Tyagi is back on.

On middle, swept to deep square leg for one. 8 from Tewatia's first over!

Fuller again, on middle and leg, Agarwal looks to sweep but misses and gets thudded on the pad. Another appeal from Tewatia in excitement but the umpire shakes his head. No reviews remaining for Rajasthan, as well.

FOUR! Another boundary. Agarwal is finding his radar now. Loopy delivery, landing fuller and around middle, Mayank Agarwal slams this one over mid off and the ball takes one bounce and goes past the rope.

On middle and leg, Rahul whips this one through mid-wicket for a single.

Fuller, floated, on middle and leg, KL gets low and looks to sweep it away but he misses and gets pinged on the pad. An appeal for LBW but this one would have gone down leg.

On the pads this time, Mayank Agarwal goes back and taps this to the leg side for one. Also, brings up the 50-run stand between these two. They continue to provide a solid start to Punjab.

WIDE. Slipped down the leg side, MA misses his tuck. Wided.

Strategic Time-Out! The openers of Punjab, KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal have given them just the start they wanted. They added almost 50 in the Powerplay and would look to continue the good work. Rajasthan have been very sloppy, on the other hand, as they have handed KL three lives. You should not make the mistake of dropping him once, let alone, three times and they would look to break this stand immediately after the break.

Around off, hit to the right of the mid off fielder for a single. At the end of the Powerplay, Punjab are at 49/0, they need 137 more from 84 balls.

DROPPED! KL Rahul is a cat, by the looks of it, since he seems to have 9 lives tonight. Another sitter has been dropped and this time, it is Chetan Sakariya who makes a meal of this. On a length, slanting down the leg side, KL Rahul swivels and hooks this one aerially towards the short fine leg region. Chetan there dives to his right, stretches his hands, but fails to hold onto the ball. A single.

Slower in pace again, around off, Mayank punches this one through covers for a single.

FOUR! Good shot from Mayank! On a fuller length, around the off pole, Mayank Agarwal tonks this one over the bowler and bags a boundary.

Superb delivery. Slants across a full toss, across the right-hander, Agarwal is taken by surprise and just manages to leave this one alone.

Slower ball, fuller just around off, KL waits for it and digs it out through point for one.

DROPPED! Second life for KL Rahul. Fuller and around off, angling in, KL Rahul is early into his shot after getting deceived by the slower one. It flies towards mid on, this time Riyan Parag manages to get underneath it but he fails to hold on to the catch. A single is taken.

Sliding down the leg side, Rahul tries to work it away but misses. It goes off his pads to short fine leg. Mayank Agarwal wants a run but is sent back.

In the air...once again it falls in no man's land. Luck is certainly not with Rajasthan at the moment. Sharp delivery, a bit short on middle at 136 clicks, Mayank Agarwal is rushed into his pull shot and mistimes it aerially towards mid-wicket. They take a run.

Play and a miss! Morris goes short and wide outside off, Mayank Agarwal attempts a lazy cut but fails to connect.

A touch short and close to off, Rahul plays late and dabs it down to wide of short third man for a single.

High...high...and just away from the fielder. Short in length, outside off, Rahul stays back to pull but it takes the top edge and flies behind mid on. Riyan Parag runs back, stretches his hand out but it falls away. They take two.

Wide! Begins with a delivery down the leg side, Rahul tries to flick but misses.

Chris Morris is into the attack.

Fortunate! Sakariya serves it close to off, on a length, Rahul tries to work it on the leg side but gets an inside edge. The ball runs to short fine leg where Mustafizur Rahman makes a diving stop. The batsmen cross. 19 from the over!

Short and wide outside off, Mayank slaps it to deep cover and hands the strike back to his aggressive partner.

A single to rotate the strike this time. Slower one, on a length around middle at 124.9 kph, Rahul works it in the gap at mid-wicket for one.

SIX! 16 from the first three, Rahul is motoring now. Chetan Sakariya digs in a short ball around off, Rahul rides the bounce and pulls it disdainfully over deep backward square leg. 3000 runs in the Indian T20 League for KL Rahul!

SIX! KL Rahul has started to find his range. Chetan Sakariya overpitches around off, right in the slot, Rahul dismisses it from his presence and smacks it behind the bowler for a maximum.

FOUR! Another boundary from Rahul's bat. Back of a length, around off and angling away, KL camps back, uses the angle of the bowler and guides it wide of short third man for a boundary.

Very full and on off, it's speared in at 138.7 kph, KL Rahul tries to flick but gets an inside edge onto the pads. It deflects to point and they cross as the bowler was busy appealing. Three good overs at the start from Rajasthan.

Kartik Tyagi clocks 138.2 kph and delivers it on a length outside off, Rahul attempts to drive it on the up but fails to connect.

FOUR! Free Hit goes for a boundary. Full toss around off, Rahul hangs back inside the crease and tries for a smashing shot across the line. It takes the outer half and flies wide of point.

Sharp delivery, full and on middle at 141 kph, Agarwal drags it off the inner half to short fine leg. They cross. It's called a no ball for overstepping. Free Hit coming up...

Appeal for a caught behind! Not given and Sanju Samson has decided to review the decision. Effort ball from Kartik Tyagi. He bends his back to dig in a short ball around off, Mayank Agarwal stands tall to slap it over the point region but misses. It goes very closely past the outside edge and Samson appeals after collecting the ball. It's not given. DRS is taken but the UltraEdge detects nothing. Rajasthan lose a review.

Another on drive from Mayank Agarwal but he finds the fielder inside the ring.

Fuller and on middle, Mayank Agarwal pushes it down to mid on.

Kartik Tyagi is inserted into the attack.

On a length, around middle, it's eased in the gap at mid-wicket for a single. 5 from this over along with a dropped catch.

Shortish and on off, angling away, punched through covers for two.

DROPPED! A big miss for Rajasthan. Short and wide outside off, Rahul slaps it aerially to backward point where Evin Lewis dives across to his right but fails to hang on to the catch. They cross for a run.

Superb effort from Riyan Parag! Shortish and outside off, Agarwal plays a mis-timed pull shot towards wide mid on. Parag dives to stop the ball and in the same motion, he gets up and has a shy at the bowler's end. Misses. Mayank anyway would have been safe.

A touch short again, around off, Mayank Agarwal waits and guides it towards backward point where Evin Lewis makes a fantastic diving stop.

Beats the bat straightaway! Sakariya angles across a shortish ball outside off, some extra bounce, Mayank tries to cut but it goes over his bat.

Who will bowl from the opposite end? It's Chetan Sakariya to steam in...

Use of the wrists from Mayank on this occasion. Slower and fuller around middle, Agarwal helps it wide of mid on and rotates the strike. 4 from the first over.

Slightly short in length around leg, Rahul gets back and works it behind square leg for one.

Fuller and outside off, Rahul plays a full-blooded cover drive but finds the fielder inside the ring. Great shot for no run.

Quick single. Rahman pitches it up and outside off, Mayank drives it to the left of mid off and takes a single.

Chase is underway! The length is short and outside off, Rahul cuts it through point and picks up a run.

Starts with a delivery angling away from the batsman, it's outside off and Rahul plays it down with soft hands to short third man.

OUT! Arshdeep has five in the match! Top effort from him. A yorker around off at 132.1 kph, Kartik Tyagi has a big swing of his bat at it but he fails to dig it out and the stumps behind are destroyed. Rajasthan are all out on the final ball for 185!

OUT! Caught and bowled! Another wicket for Arshdeep, his fourth of the evening. This is his best bowling effort in the League. Slower one, a touch short and angling in around off, Chetan Sakariya turns inside the crease to heave it over the leg side but only manages a top edge. Arshdeep Singh runs across to his left and completes the catch easily.

Mustafizur Rahman is the last man in!

FOUR! That will help Rajasthan's total a bit. Fuller and around off, Chetan Sakariya steps back to make room and drills his drive through covers for a boundary.

Fullish and down the leg side, could have been a wide but Kartik clips it down to fine leg for a run.

A full toss outside off, Arshdeep gets away with it. Chetan Sakariya goes hard at it and manages only to push it off the inner half to long on. A single.

Arshdeep serves it very full around leg, Kartik Tyagi tries to flick but misses. It goes off his pads to point and they collect a leg bye.

Very full and on middle, Chetan Sakariya drives it back to the bowler. What a spell from Shami, especially at the death! Only 3 runs from the penultimate over along with the big wicket of Chris Morris.

OUT! Morris falls as well. Rajasthan have collapsed at the death. Fuller and around off, angling in, Morris aims to tower it into the stands at long on but gets more height than distance.  Aiden Markram gets underneath it in the deep and takes the skier safely. Anil Kumble is a happy man in the dugout. This is a great comeback from Punjab.

Time for Kartik Tyagi to walk out!

Back of a length, around leg, Chetan Sakariya stands back and tucks it down to fine leg for one.

Serves it full and outside off, Morris drives it firmly down to long off, just a run.

Fullish and around leg, Chetan eases it off his pads to deep backward square leg and hands the strike to Morris.

OUT! Stumps shattered! Fuller and straighter, at 138 kph, Rahul Tewatia hangs inside the crease and tries to whip it across the line. But he gets a thick inside edge onto the pads and the ball ricochets onto the stumps. Another big hitter is back in the hut for Rajasthan. They are losing the plot in the end overs.

Chetan Sakariya is the new man in.

Another brace for Morris. Still, a great over from Arshdeep. Slower one, short and wide outside off, Morris drags his attempted pull down to wide long on. 11 runs from the last two overs, Punjab have pulled things back smartly.

Around off and middle, a full toss, Morris swings his bat across the line and sends it down to wide long on for a couple of runs.

A fabulous over so far from Singh. Delivers it full and around off, Morris drives it through the line but finds covers.

Yorker and angling in around off, Rahul bunts it down to mid off and steals a single.

Aims for a yorker but it turns out to be a low full toss outside off, Rahul Tewatia goes hard at it but fails to middle his shot. It comes off the toe end and rolls to mid off.

Wide! Very full and wide outside off, again flirting with the tramline. The batsman leaves it and it's wided.

OUT! Mahipal Lomror holes out and this is a body blow to Rajasthan at this stage. Arshdeep delivers it with full pace, around off at 134 clicks, Lomror tries to hammer it over long on but his shot lacks the desired distance. Yet another catch safely pouched by Aiden Markram in the deep. End of an entertaining knock from Mahipal!

The Saffa, Chris Morris strides out.

Wide! That's a tight call from the umpire. Arshdeep begins with a very full ball and stays outside off, it's flirting with the tramline. Lomror allows it through.

A yorker around off by Shami, this one is from 'round the wicket, Mahipal squeezes it out towards cover-point. A single is taken. Fantastic over by Shami, just 4 runs and a wicket from it.

Bowling change? Yup. Arshdeep Singh is back on now. 2-0-19-2 so far.

Shami switches to over the wicket and delivers it very full again, around off, Rahul digs it out down to mid off for one.

Very full and outside off, it's served from 'round the wicket, Rahul Tewatia drives but finds the cover fielder.

OUT! Parag holes out! Not a bad result for Rajasthan with a few power-hitters waiting in the wings. Fullish and around off, Riyan Parag once again uses his wrists and attempts to whip it across the line. But he ends up mistiming his shot to long on where Aiden Markram takes a good catch over his head. Punjab would look to keep chipping away at the wickets to restrict Rajasthan's charge.

Out walks Rahul Tewatia!

That's very wristy from Riyan. Attempts for a helicopter shot to this very full ball but this one rolls all along the ground to long on. Two runs taken.

A dot ball to begin the 17th over. Shami serves it on a length close to off, Riyan defends it from the crease to the off side.

FOUR! Finds the gap and the fence. 24 coming off this over and Rajasthan have stepped into the death overs in style. Very full from Hooda, wide outside off, Mahipal Lomror delays his shot a bit and squeezes it past the diving point fielder for a boundary. Lomror moves to 42 off just 15 balls.

Another two. Too full in length and outside off, Mahipal Lomror drills his drive through extra cover. Smart running between the wickets.

Strategic Time-Out! Rajasthan are on the charge here. They know that they can push and get closer to the 200-run mark and if they keep batting in the same way, then 200 should be no trouble. Mahipal Lomror is on fire and Riyan Parag will look to partner him well. Punjab have not had the best time but will look to reconsolidate and choke the batters in the last four overs. Mohammed Shami (2-0-14-0) is back into the attack.

A high full toss outside off, Mahipal Lomror runs down the track and slaps it over covers for a couple of runs. Not given a no ball because the batsman was down the track.

FOUR! Mahipal Lomror is on fire! Unstoppable. Hooda is feeling the pressure. Dishes out a full toss outside off, Mahipal shows no mercy and whacks it over extra cover.

SIX! Hooda is being taken to the cleaners here. He fires it flat and short around off, Mahipal Lomror advances down the track and spanks it over mid-wicket.

SIX! The spinners are under attack. Fuller and outside off, there is ample width for Lomror to free his arms and he dispatches it over the bowler's head for a maximum.

A really good over by Brar! Just 4 from the over. Full toss, on middle, knocked through mid-wicket for one.

Flatter, outside off, punched through mid off. The batters rotate the strike.

On middle, Mahipal Lomror dances down and works this to long on for a run.

Riyan Parag gets off the mark by knocking this full ball down towards long off.

Riyan Parag is the new batsman.

OUT! CAUGHT! Oh, no! Agonizingly short of his half-century and Jaiswal cannot believe this. You could see that he went into his shell, looking for his fifty and he became conscious of the same, which proved to be his undoing. This is fired across the batsman at 96 kph, landing fuller around off, and skidding away. Yashasvi Jaiswal steps out and looks to flick, but closes the face of the bat early. The leading edge is induced and it goes to the left of Mayank Agarwal at covers, who moves swiftly and pouches this with a dive. This is an important wicket at this stage of the innings.

Around off, shortish, played late to the point fielder.

Will Harpreet Brar continue? Yes, KL Rahul has decided to persist with him.

SIX! AGAIN! 14 from the over! Rashid serves this flatter, outside off, Mahipal Lomror uses the depth of the crease, goes back, and pumps this one hard over deep mid-wicket.

SIX! Cracking shot. Mahipal Lomror does not take long to get going. Clean strike too. Loopy, fuller on middle, Mahipal Lomror gets low and mows a slog-sweep over deep mid-wicket.

Floated this time, around off, pushed gently to covers for a run.

Outside off, cut away to the point fielder this time.

Googly, outside off, Yashasvi Jaiswal strides forward and looks to push but misses. KL Rahul takes the ball and whips the bails off but the batter's foot did not leave the crease.

Just short of Mayank Agarwal in the deep! Fuller, tossed up this time, on middle, Yashasvi Jaiswal gets low and slog-sweeps it towards the deep mid-wicket region. Agarwal runs forward, dives, but the ball lands ahead of him and he collects it on the bounce. One taken.

Bowling change? Yup, Adil Rashid is brought back into the attack. The leggie has leaked 21 runs in his two overs so far. Can he redeem himself?

A fine over from Brar, just 6 singles off it! Around off and middle, fuller, milked through mid on for a single.

On middle, Jaiswal drops this towards mid-wicket for another run.

Shortish, outside off, smashed through covers for just a run, though.

Another run as this is flicked through mid-wicket.

Fuller, on middle, easily played through mid on for one more.

Flatter, on off, knocked to the on side for a run at deep mid-wicket.

Around off, pushed to the cover region. End of an eventful over.

OUT! TAKEN! That is a stunning catch from Fabian Allen and Livingstone's inning has come to a sad end. He was looking very promising, but, a top catch means the end of the road for him in this game, with the blade. Singh bowls another slower ball, this is bowled around off, on a length, Livingstone waits for it and then smacks this to the deep mid-wicket region. Allen, in the deep, runs to his right, keeps his eyes on the ball, and dives to pouch this. The third umpire has a look and the replays show that it is a clean catch. Arshdeep Singh also hands a send-off to Liam Livingstone. Fiery stuff!

Mahipal Lomror walks in next.

WIDE. Singh serves a full toss way outside off, Liam steps out and swings but misses. Wide signalled.

SIX! WHOAAAA! That was BIG! The sound of the bat connecting with the ball let us all know how much of a clean strike that was! Around off, on a length too, Liam Livingstone smokes this one all the way over deep mid-wicket this time. Cracked.

Good from Pooran in the deep, saves two for his side. A touch fuller, slower though, on the pads, Liam tucks this to deep backward square leg. Pooran runs to his right, slides, and stops the ball. Two taken.

FOUR! Cheeky stuff! Livingstone has started off well! Around middle, on a length, Liam Livingstone shuffles across and just spoons this one over the keeper for a boundary.

Singh hurls it slower and shorter on the body, Liam Livingstone pulls this one to the left of deep square leg, where Nicholas Pooran runs in, but makes a meal of this, as he goes to throw. The ball slips out and falls. Two taken easily.

Bowling change. Arshdeep Singh is back on. 1/4 in his one over so far.

FOUR! Yashasvi Jaiswal ruins a good over from Brar with a boundary on the last ball. This is bowled in the arc, floated and fuller, on off, Yashasvi Jaiswal tonks this one over the bowler for a boundary. 100 up for Rajasthan too!

Harpreet Brar serves this flatter again, around off, Liam Livingstone skips down, looks to tuck this to the leg side, but gets an inside edge, back on the pad and then to the off side. One taken.

Darted quicker, shorter too, around leg, LL looks to work this to the leg side but misses and gets hit on the pad.

Flatter this time, around off, knocked through mid-wicket for one.

Tossed up, around off, Liam skips down and drags it through mid-wicket for a single.

Around off, fuller, this is pushed to the off side.

Shortish and close to off, Yashasvi Jaiswal taps it down from the back foot to point. End of Ishan Porel's spell, not too impressive. Rajasthan are 94/2 at the halfway mark.

Harpreet Brar is on!

FOUR! Top shot! Stamping his authority. Ishan Porel serves it on a length and around off, Jaiswal stays back inside the crease and cracks it through extra cover for a boundary.

Livingstone tries to be adventurous but fails to middle his shot. On a length around middle and leg, Liam gets down and across for the paddle scoop but it takes the inner half and rolls to the keeper. KL Rahul fails to collect cleanly and the short fine leg fielder attacks the ball. He has a shy at the bowler's end but misses. One run added to the total.

A touch short in length, around leg, Jaiswal glances it behind square leg for a run.

Fuller and on middle, Liam winds up for a big shot but only manages to drag it off the inner edge through square leg. A single.

Back of a length, on middle, Yashasvi Jaiswal stays back and pulls it down to long on for a single. Moves to 35 and this now is Jasiwal's highest score in the League.

Too full in length on middle, Jaiswal flicks it through mid-wicket and collects a run. 10 from the over, 21 from Rashid's two, he is not having a happy debut.

Quicker, shorter and flatter, around off, it's punched down to long off for a single.

Tossed up, full and on middle, Yashasvi Jaiswal clips it in front of square leg and rotates the strike. Smart from the young man.

SIX! Dismissed! Rashid has struggled with his length so far. Serves a long hop on middle, Yashasvi Jaiswal picks the length in a flash, immediately drops his weight on the back foot and pulls it massively over mid-wicket.

Rashid drags his length short and delivers it close to off, Livingstone cuts it through point for a single.

Tossed up ball, landing full around middle, Liam drives it back to the bowler.

Identical to the last delivery, again Liam Livingstone fails to flick and it goes off his pads this time. KL Rahul stretches his left hand out but fails to gather it cleanly. The batsmen cross. 8 from the over, along with a wicket.

Wide! Slips it down the leg side, on a fuller length, Liam fails to flick and it's called a wide.

FOUR! Bang! Liam Livingstone has been on fire of late with the bat and this shot shows his prime form. Although slightly edgy, the Englishman was in full control. Ishan Porel delivers it on a length and outside off, Liam slices it wide of backward point and fetches a boundary.

Sharp delivery, shortish and around leg, Yashasvi Jaiswal is hurried up into his shot and fails to pull. He is hit on the box and the ball deflects to square leg. They cross for a leg bye. Yashasvi Jaiswal is in some pain.

Back of a length, around off, Yashasvi Jaiswal cuts it from the back foot but finds point.

Oooohhhhhhh! Not a pretty sight. Not a pretty sight, at all. Yashasvi Jaiswal has been hit just around his box and he is in some pain. The physio rushes out to the middle. Let's hope he is okay to continue.

Fuller and on middle, Livingstone uses his feet and clips it down to deep square leg for a run. Opens his account.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Ishan Porel has redeemed himself with a wicket. A fantastic bowling change from KL Rahul and it's an excellent catch too by him. Not a wicket-taking delivery, short and wide outside off, Samson tries to slam it over point but there is some extra bounce and it takes the outside edge. The ball flies to the right of KL who times his jump to perfection to pluck it with one hand. Big wicket.

The Brit, Liam Livingstone makes his way out into the middle.

Fine diving stop! Another short delivery from Adil, outside off, Yashasvi Jaiswal cuts it from the back foot but finds a diving Harpreet Brar at point. Two dots to end an expensive over, 11 from it.

Change. Ishan Porel (2-0-25-0) comes back on!

This one stays a bit low. A flatter and shorter googly, around off and spinning away, Jaiswal tries to pull but it goes below his bat.

SIX! The plan is clear, they will attack the leggie. Full and floated, around off, Yashasvi Jaiswal latches onto it and towers it handsomely over long off. When he is on song, he is a privilege to watch.

Googly, short and around off, Yashasvi Jaiswal goes back and mistimes his pull shot back to the bowler.

FOUR! Yashasvi Jaiswal shows his innovation. Fuller and wide outside off, Jaiswal opts for the reverse batted shot and nails it behind short third man.

Straightaway Samson uses his feet. A tossed up ball, landing around middle and leg, Sanju tries to heave but only manages to drag it off the inner half. A good diving stop at mid-wicket but a single is not prevented.

Slower one, full and around off, Samson bunts it in front of mid off and scampers across to the other end. At the end of the Powerplay, Rajasthan are 57/1.

Strategic Time-Out! A cracking start from Rajasthan to this game. They will be without the services of Buttler at the top of the order and Evin Lewis displayed that he can really step up to fill in those big shoes, but, sadly for him, he departed in the last over of the Powerplay. Nevertheless, he and Yashasvi Jaiswal have given them a great start. Punjab were under the pump for most of the Powerplay, but, with one wicket taken, they will look to build on the same and keep taking wickets. Also, Adil Rashid has been introduced into the attack...

Angling across the batsman, on a length, Samson stays back and plays it down to point.

Arshdeep goes short to Samson, around middle, the Rajasthan skipper stands tall and pulls it in the gap at deep mid-wicket for two.

Skipper Sanju Samson walks in next.

OUT! Gone! Arshdeep strikes and has a big smile on his face. He serves it very full and around off, slower in pace and that has deceived the batsman. Lewis mistimes his attempted aerial shot to extra cover where Mayank Agarwal takes a fine low catch with a dive. The 54-run opening stand has been broken.

Pitches it up and around off, Jaiswal goes hard at it, doesn't time it too well but still manages to clear the infield at covers. A single is taken. Two was on but Yashasvi Jaiswal had slipped while turning for the second run.

Beaten! Arshdeep begins with a slower delivery, he lands it short and outside off, Yashasvi Jaiswal stays back to cut but flashes his bat too early.

Who will bowl the final over of the Powerplay? It is Arshdeep Singh!

FOUR! 50 up for Rajasthan! They have started off really well here! This is floated too, fuller, around middle and leg, Lewis gets low and sweeps this in between square leg and short fine leg. Boundary again. 13 from the over!

FOUR! That is not where you want to bowl to a batter of Evin Lewis' calibre! A juicy full toss, around off, this is smashed over the cover region for a boundary.

A touch short, around off, cut away, but to the fielder at point.

Fuller, tossed up, on middle and leg, Lewis misses his sweep and gets hit on his pad.

On middle, flicked to the leg side for a run.

FOUR! Welcome to the attack, says Yashasvi Jaiswal, to Deepak Hooda! Drops it short, outside off, Yashasvi Jaiswal rocks back and punches this one through cover-point. The ball races away to the fence.

Bowling change. Deepak Hooda is into the attack.

FOUR! WOW! 17 from the over. Lewis gets his fourth boundary of the over and is on the charge. Slower in pace this time, fuller though, outside off, Lewis waits for it and punches this one past extra cover. Boundary.

FOUR! That was a cleaner hit, compared to the previous two boundaries. Confidence on display by Lewis. Around off on a length, Evin Lewis cracks this one over mid-wicket and beats deep mid-wicket to his right.

Around off this time, Lewis looks to work this to the leg side but misses and the ball takes the pad and lobs to the left of the mid off fielder.

EDGY FOUR! It's a similar sort of a boundary as the last ball. On a length, outside off, Evin Lewis looks to whack this across the line, but the ball catches the outside edge and runs away to the third man fence.

FOUR! Slightly streaky but Lewis will not care. A touch short, slanting away outside off, Evin Lewis looks to pump this through covers, but the ball takes the outer half of the blade and flies to the third man fence.

Short of a length, around off and middle, Yashasvi Jaiswal pulls this one hurriedly to the right of the deep mid-wicket fielder for one.

Wider outside off, Lewis shoulders arms this time. A good over from Shami, just 5 from it!

FOUR! He connects this time and gets a boundary! Fine shot from Evin. Slightly behind the good length, just outside off, Evin Lewis bangs this one over the bowler for a one-bounce boundary.

Play and a miss again! Shami bowls this on a length again, closer to the off pole, angling away, Lewis pokes at this tentatively and misses.

Swing and a miss! Good length from Shami. Just around the off pole, slanting away, Evin Lewis swings at this but fails to connect.

Good-length ball, on off, this is pushed to the man at point by Lewis.

Outside off, Jaiswal slices this one away to third man for a single.

SIX! BANG! The West Indian gets his first biggie! He will be looking to continue with the same intent! Around off this time, on a length too, Evin Lewis gives it the full thwack of the blade and deposits the ball over the long on fence. 9 from the second over as well!

Around the middle stump line this time, Evin nudges this to the man at mid-wicket.

Leg bye. Porel serves this around the hips, on a length, Yashasvi Jaiswal misses his tuck but the ball takes the body and goes to the leg side. A leg bye is taken.

Back of a length, around off, Lewis looks to heave this to the leg side, but the ball takes the lower end of the bat and goes to the right of square leg, for one.

On a length, on the pads, Lewis' flick only finds Adil Rashid at short fine leg. Dot.

WIDE. Porel steams in and slips this down the leg side. Lewis looks to pull but misses. Wide signalled.

Ishan Porel starts with a length ball, on middle. This is dabbed to the leg side.

Who will operate from the opposite end? Ishan Porel to steam in...

FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries to end the first over and Rajasthan get 9 off the opening over! Around off this time, on a length, Yashasvi Jaiswal swings this one over mid-wicket and gets a four.

FOUR! The first boundary for Rajasthan and also Yashasvi Jaiswal! A loosener from Shami. Short and wide outside off, Jaiswal goes back and slaps this one over backward point. One bounce and four!

Around off, on a length, YJ pushes this to the cover region. Three dots.

Shami comes 'round the wicket and hurls a shortish ball, outside off. Yashasvi Jaiswal again goes back and flashes his blade but fails to connect with his cut.

Now, Shami serves a length delivery, but wider outside off, Yashasvi Jaiswal goes back and looks for the square cut, but he misses.

Runs straightaway for Lewis and Rajasthan are off the mark too! Shami serves this on a length, on the pads. Lewis whips this one to deep square leg for a single.

It's time to play the game! The players are in the middle and it's a great atmosphere out there. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Evin Lewis are the opening pair for Rajasthan. Punjab are beginning with Mohammed Shami, as expected. Here we go...

Rajasthan (Playing XI) - Evin Lewis, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson (C/WK), Mahipal Lomror, Liam Livingstone, Riyan Parag, Rahul Tewatia, Chris Morris, Kartik Tyagi, Chetan Sakariya, Mustafizur Rahman.

Punjab (Playing XI) - KL Rahul (C/WK), Mayank Agarwal, Aiden Markram, Nicholas Pooran, Deepak Hooda, Fabian Allen, Ishan Porel, Harpreet Brar, Mohammed Shami, Adil Rashid, Arshdeep Singh.

Sanju Samson, the captain of Rajasthan, says that the toss doesn't matter much as they are happy to do both, either bat or bowl. Adds that they have really great talent in the team and it's a very positive atmosphere in the dressing room. Talks about Kumar Sangakkara and says that he knows how to communicate and at what point and emphasizes on enjoying the game. Evin Lewis, Liam Livingstone, Chris Morris and Mustafizur Rahman are Rajasthan's overseas players, informs Samson.

KL Rahul, the Punjab skipper, says that it is a no-brainer to bowl first as it is a fresh wicket and they are not too sure as to how it will play. Shares that he personally prefers to chase. Adds that it is good to play in Dubai and they learnt a lot the last time they came to UAE. Feels that they have done their best to prepare well. Informs that Aiden Markram, Nicholas Pooran, Adil Rashid and Fabian Allen are their four overseas players. Informs that Aiden Markram will bat at number 3 and that means that Chris Gayle misses out.

Toss time! Sanju Samson and KL Rahul are in the middle. The latter flips the coin, Samson calls it incorrectly and PUNJAB ELECT TO FIELD!

Sixer Kings! Glenn Phillips (87), Liam Livingstone (81), Evin Lewis (68) feature in the top three list for hitting the most number of sixes in T20s in 2021. They're all present in the dressing room of Rajasthan. Who will play, who will miss out?

PITCH REPORT - Ian Bishop is the pitch inspector for the day. He says that the deck looks good. Adds that the weather is pretty hot and humid and jokes that this stadium is not called the 'Ring of Fire' just like that. He is joined by Toby Lumsden, the head curator, who says that they use an infrared camera and the camera takes pictures every 10 minutes and lets him know about the pitch and the outfield. Adds that he uses a pogo stick and clay hammer to find out about the moisture and hardness of the deck.

Duck Tales! Nicholas Pooran had a forgetful first half of this season where he bagged four ducks in 6 innings. In total, he has five ducks in T20s in 2021 which is the joint-most. Will he find a place in the XI for Punjab?

Did you know? Rajasthan have the worst bowling average (107.7) and economy rate (10.4) for spinners in this ongoing season. They have roped in the number one bowler in T20Is to resolve this issue. Can Tabraiz Shamsi make an immediate impact?

A couple of caps have been handed out and it looks like some new players will be making their debut today. Evin Lewis has been handed his cap and Rajasthan will be hoping that he can start with a bang. For Punjab, Ishan Porel, Aiden Markram, and Adil Rashid have been seen getting their caps.

The birthday boy, Chris Gayle is up for a chat! He says that he was having some coffee and it has been a long morning for him and it has been a good day so far. Says that he went to bed early and has been up since 3 am and he was up ever since. Tells that they practice at 5 pm and they have some time to sleep in the morning. Tells that if he does get a chance to play in this game, he will try his best to make the fans happy. Opines that it is a new start and they want to hit the ground running. States that it is a must-win game for them and they need to go hard and be fearless and give it their best shot. Ends by thanking his fans and his family and adds that he has no complaints as he is going strong at 42.

Talking about Rajasthan, they too will be without the services of their key players. They were without the services of Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer in the first leg and now, Jos Buttler and Andrew Tye have made themselves unavailable too. So, to fill the void that these missing names have left, Rajasthan have decided to rope in Evin Lewis, Oshane Thomas, Tabraiz Shamsi, and Glenn Phillips. It will be interesting to see if these names make their way into the Playing XI straightaway.

There's quite a lot of changes to the rosters of both teams as they will be missing some key players and have added some other players, in place, and will be hoping that the new boys click and find their rhythm sooner, rather than later. For Punjab, Jhye Richardson, Riley Meredith and Dawid Malan have pulled out of the UAE leg and Nathan Ellis, Adil Rashid, and Aiden Markram have taken their place in their squad.

Hola, amigos! It is time for yet another cracking encounter in the Indian T20 League and we are slowly, but surely, getting into the groove of watching the games unfold right before us. The resumption has been a smooth one, with 2 games going by, and 4 teams getting to play, and now, we will see two more teams start the second leg of the competition. Match number 32 sees the brushing of shoulders between Rajasthan and Punjab. Both teams did not have the best start to the League in the first phase, as they sit in the lower half of the table, Rajasthan on 6th, whereas, Punjab, on 7th. They have been handed another shot at redemption and would look to start this leg with a victory to their name. On that note, welcome to the coverage...

... MATCH DAY ...