Punjab Kings vs Rajasthan Royals IPL, 2023

SIX! BANG! Dhruv Jurel takes Rajasthan home and does it in style! Full on the middle and leg. Jurel advances down the track and smokes it down the ground over the long on boundary for a maximum. Rajasthan win by 4 wickets!

Full at the stumps. Trent Boult whips it nicely to deep mid-wicket for one.

Full around off. Dhruv Jurel shimmies down and lifts it on a bounce to Sam Curran at long off for a single.

Fraction short on the middle and leg. Dhruv Jurel works it through the square leg region and scampers through for the second.

On a good length and just outside off. Trent Boult clears his front leg and swats it toward the deep mid-wicket fielder. The batters do not take the single and Rajasthan need 9 off the final over.

Trent Boult is the new batter at the crease.

OUT! CAUGHT! Shikhar Dhawan has pulled off a stunning catch! Is there a twist in the game? Full and wide outside off. Shimron Hetmyer drills it uppishly toward Dhawan in the extra cover region. The ball was falling in front of him but he dives forward and takes it inches from the ground. The ball seems to pop out a bit but he hangs onto a sharp catch as confirmed by the replays. Shimron Hetmyer departs after playing a brilliant knock and Rajasthan lose their sixth wicket.

FOUR! One bounce and over the ropes! Short and slow outside off. Shimron Hetmyer lofts it over the infield and toward the deep extra cover fence for four runs.

Slower ball, on a length and angled outside off. Dhruv Jurel punches it to deep point for one.

Full and wide outside off, driven straight to the man at deep cover-point for just a single this time.

FOUR! SMASHED! A boundary to start the over! Slower full ball outside off. Shimron Hetmyer hammers it through the extra cover region for a stunning boundary.

Dhruv Jurel comes on as an Impact Player for Rajasthan in place of Yuzvendra Chahal and he makes his way out to the middle

OUT! In the air and taken. Riyan Parag departs! Pitched up full and at the stumps. Riyan Parag looks to whip it away into the leg side but gets a leading edge that flies off towards the backward point region. Atharva Taide goes to his left and takes a well-judged catch. Rajasthan have lost half their side and need 19 off the last 2 overs. This looks to be going down right to the wire.

Pace off again. Fuller-length this time outside off. Riyan Parag bunts it back to Rabada.

Slower and short of a length outside off. Riyan Parag plays and misses.

WIDE! Short and outside off. This goes over the batter and is called a wide for the height.

Slower bumper outside off. Riyan Parag goes for the pull and misses.

SIX MORE! Into the crowd! Bowls it full and at the middle and leg. Riyan Parag stays deep in the crease and swats it over the deep sqaure leg boundary for half a dozen.

SIX! BOOM! Riyan Parag takes the full toss of the free hit! Slower length ball outside off. Riyan Parag pulls it over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie.

Rabada stats the over with a WIDE! Bowls it on a length and down the leg. Oh No! Rabada has overstepped here and a free hit is coming up.

Slower ball on a fuller length just outside off. Shimron Hetmyer bunts it back to Curran. A couple of dots to end the over.

Bangs it short and into the batter. Shimron Hetmyer goes for the pull but misses as the ball goes through to the keeper Jitesh Sharma collects the ball and claims the catch as the bowler appeals. The on-field umpire gives it out but Shimron Hetmyer goes for the review straightaway. A flat-line on the UltraEdge and Shimron Hetmyer stays on.

Slower length ball around off. Riyan Parag mistimes the pull in front of the deep mid-wicket fielder for a single.

DROPPED! How significant will this drop be for Punjab? Short and angling into the batter. Shimron Hetmyer goes for the pull but gets a top edge toward the backward square leg region. Harpreet Brar runs back to take the catch but spills it.

On a good length and angling outside off. Shimron Hetmyer reaches for it but fails to connect.

FOUR! BANG! Full and just outside off. Shimron Hetmyer drills it hard through the extra cover region for a powerful boundary.

Bangs it short as Parag shimmies down the track to swat it away but fails to get bat on it. A dot to end the over. Rajasthan needs 39 from 24 balls.

FOUR! EDGED AWAY! Low full toss angling outside off. Riyan Parag goes for the drive but gets a thick outside edge that flies past the short third fielder toward fine leg for a streaky boundary.

Low full toss outside off. Shimron Hetmyer carves it to deep point for one.

Full and just outside off. Shimron Hetmyer goes high and lofts it toward the deep extra cover region. This falls in the middle of three fielders and they came back for the second.

Full and wide just inside the white line. Shimron Hetmyer has a wild swing at it but fails to connect.

Excellent wide yorker from Arshdeep Singh. Shimron Hetmyer plays and misses.

Arshdeep Singh starts the over with a WIDE. Bowls it on a length and outside the tramline. Shimron Hetmyer lets it go.

Slower, full and, wide outside off, Shimron Hetmyer drives it to deep backward point for one.

Full again around off. Riyan Parag works it to long on for one.

Full-length delivery outside off. Riyan Parag strides forward and strokes it through the backward point region for a couple to get off the mark.

OUT! CAUGHT! WHAT A CATCH FROM Rishi Dhawan (sub). Ellis gets the breakthrough! Bowls a slower delivery yet again. Low full toss on off. Yashasvi Jaiswal brings out the reverse hit and times it to perfection but goes straight into the hands of Rishi Dhawan stationed at the backward point region. He takes a low and sharp catch to dismiss Jaiswal who departs for a well-made fifty. Rajasthan are four down now.

Strategic break! Just when Rajasthan seem to be cruising in the run chase, they end up losing a wicket. They are four down now and still need 51 runs in 33 deliveries. They will hope that Shimron Hetmyer can play the finisher's role as he has done so often in the past and will hope he can do it inside 18.3 overs. Punjab have chipped away at the wickets and are still in this game but will need to bowl really well in the death overs. Riyan Parag is the new batter out in the middle.

Change of pace again. Slow and full outside off. Yashasvi Jaiswal backs away and lets it go. The umpire calls it a WIDE.

Full and wide outside off, Shimron Hetmyer drills it to Rabada at wide long off for just a single.

Slower length ball on the pads. Yashasvi Jaiswal nudges it through mid-wicket and brings up his FIFTY with that single.

FOUR! Shimron Hetmyer ends the over with a boundary as well. Slower length ball on off. Hetmyer goes for the pull but inside edges it past the short fine leg fielder for a streaky boundary.

WIDE! Short and way outside the tramline. Hetmyer lets it go. Another wide from Curran.

Full on the pads, flicked through backward square leg for one.

FOUR! DISPATCHED! Full and at the stumps. Jaiswal moves across and whips it hard in between the deep mid-wicket and the long on fielder for a cracking boundary.

Wide yorker from Curran. Yashasvi Jaiswal squeezes it straight to backward point.

Slower length ball outside off. Shimron Hetmyer hangs back and swats it to long off for one.

WIDE! Full and angling down the leg. Shimron Hetmyer moves across to flick but misses. Wide signaled.

SIX! BANG! Shimron Hetmyer starts the over with a maximum. Full and in the slot at the stumps. Hetmyer muscles this powerfully over the long-on boundary for a flat six.

FOUR! Yashasvi Jaiswal decides to be innovative but he has not executed this the way he had planned to! This is bowled back of a length and just outside off. Yashasvi Jaiswal looks to play a scoop shot over the keeper's head but has to opt for a reverse scoop as the line is different. He manages to get this past Sanju Samson for four runs.

Delivers this at 109.2 clicks outside the off pole on a fuller length. Shimron Hetmyer slices this towards wide long off and the ball falls just short of the fielder coming in from the deep. They get one more.

Bowls a slower delivery back of a length and outside the off stump. Shimron Hetmyer looks to swat this away but misses.

Decides to bowl on a good length and outside off. Yashasvi Jaiswal punches this to cover and a misfield allows them to take a run.

Bowls this full once again and outside off. Shimron Hetmyer looks to go hard but mistimes it into teh air towards deep cover for a single.

SIX! Nathan Ellis has not started his overs well! This is bowled full and outside the off stump. Shimron Hetmyer drills this over the long off boundary for six runs.

FOUR! Yashasvi Jaiswal has found the gap beautifully here! This is on a yorker-length served outside leg. Yashasvi Jaiswal backs away to give himself space to play this towards deep backward point for four runs.

Goes full and outside the off stump. Shimron Hetmyer looks to go leg side but gets a leading edge through cover-point for a single.

SIX! Arshdeep Singh serves this in Shimron Hetmyer's hitting arc and it has been dispatched over the boundary ropes! This is full and just outside the off pole. Shimron Hetmyer hits through the line and straight to collect six runs.

WIDE! Bangs this in short and in line with the stumps. Shimron Hetmyer looks to pull this away but misses and the umpire indicates that it is wide for height.

Continues to bowl short and outside the off stump. Shimron Hetmyer looks to pull but miscues this to the left of the bowler. Three dot balls in a row and the pressure is building here.

Bowls this back of a length and outside the off pole. Shimron Hetmyer drops his hands down and lets the ball go through to the keeper.

Arshdeep Singh bowls this on a good length and wide outside off. Shimron Hetmyer looks to hit through the line but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Short and outside the off stump. Shimron Hetmyer pulls this towards deep square leg and takes a run to open his account.

Shimron Hetmyer comes out to bat at 5 with Rajasthan in trouble.

OUT! CAUGHT! Sanju Samson has not been able to play a captain's knock in this encounter when his team needed him the most! Rahul Chahar floats this full and onto the pads. Sanju Samson looks to flick this over the ropes on the leg side but does not connect as well as he would have liked. The ball flies straight down the throat of Rishi Dhawan at deep square leg who takes a really easy catch. Rajasthan have lost wickets in quick succession and find themselves three down now and in a spot of bother.

Loops this one full and in line with the stumps. Yashasvi Jaiswal clips this towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

Tosses this full and outside the off stump, a googly this time. Yashasvi Jaiswal goes for the switch hit but misses.

Bowls this short and in line with the stumps. Yashasvi Jaiswal rocks back and cuts this towards deep cover for a couple of runs.

Rahul Chahar bowls this slightly short and outside off. Sanju Samson punches this to deep cover-point for an easy single.

Bangs this in short and going down leg. Sanju Samson looks to pull this fine and hits it just short of the fine leg fielder. He takes a single to open his account and will retain strike. 102 runs needed in 10 overs now.

Rajasthan skipper Sanju Samson walks out to bat.

OUT! CAUGHT! Arshdeep Singh breaks the partnership and Devdutt Padikkal departs right after reaching his half-century! This is bowled on a good length and outside the off stump. Devdutt Padikkal looks to cut this over the infield but does not get the required elevation. Harpreet Brar at point gets both hands on the ball over his head but fumbles slightly. He manages to hold on to the ball though and Punjab have finally got the second wicket. Rajasthan will need to keep the momentum going though despite losing a wicket.

That is FIFTY for Devdutt Padikkal! Decides to bowl full and at the stumps. Devdutt Padikkal drills this down to long on for a couple of runs.

SIX! Devdutt Padikkal has slapped this away with disdain! Arshdeep Singh bowls this short and outside off. Devdutt Padikkal pulls this over deep mid-wicket for a biggie.

Goes full this time and outside off. Yashasvi Jaiswal gets across to the off side and looks to paddle this fine but misses and gets hit on the pads. The ball rolls to the leg side and they take a leg bye.

Arshdeep Singh bowls this back of a length and outside the off pole. Yashasvi Jaiswal looks to cut this but is cramped for room and gets beaten.

Tosses this one full and on a leg stump line. Devdutt Padikkal looks for the reverse sweep but does not connect cleanly as the ball goes towards the point fielder.

Rahul Chahar persists with the shortish length and in line with the stumps. Yashasvi Jaiswal pulls this hard but straight to the deep mid-wicket fielder for one more.

Attacks the stumps on a shortish length. Devdutt Padikkal goes deep in the crease and tucks this towards deep mid-wicket for another run.

Continues to bowl short and in line with the stumps. Devdutt Padikkal pulls this to the left of deep mid-wicket and they pick up a couple of runs.

Short once again and outside the off pole. Yashasvi Jaiswal cross-bats this towards long on for a single.

FOUR! Poor delivery and Yashasvi Jaiswal does not miss out! Rahul Chahar bowls this short and wide outside off. Yashasvi Jaiswal backs away and slaps this over the infield towards deep cover as the ball lands just in front of the ropes for four runs.

Strategic Break! Rajasthan are going well at 67 for 1 at the end of 8 overs. Jos Buttler was dismissed for a duck but Yashasvi Jaiswal and Devdutt Padikkal have kept the scoreboard ticking and have hit some glorious shots. They need to carry and bat deep into the innings. Punjab, on the other hand, will look to pick a few quick wickets and get back into this game.

Back to bowling on a good length and outside off. Devdutt Padikkal dabs this towards point and it will be a dot ball. A boundary on the first ball but still just 6 runs have come from this over.

Delivers this one short as well and outside the off pole. Yashasvi Jaiswal pulls this aerially towards deep mid-wicket for another run.

Bowls this slightly back of a length and outside the off stump. Yashasvi Jaiswal shuffles down the wicket and looks to go hard at the ball but misses.

Goes 'round the wicket now and bowls a slower delivery full at the pads. Devdutt Padikkal clips this towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

On a good length this time and outside the off stump. Devdutt Padikkal pushes this straight to the cover fielder.

FOUR! This has been spanked away to the fence! Nathan Ellis bowls this full and at the stumps. Devdutt Padikkal walks down the wicket and makes room as he thumps this towards deep cover for four runs.

Goes back to bowling short and on an off-stump line. Devdutt Padikkal rocks back and pulls this to the fielder at deep mid-wicket for one more.

Loops this one full and onto the pads. Yashasvi Jaiswal clips this towards deep mid-wicket for another single.

Bowls this in line with the stumps on a shorter length. Devdutt Padikkal tucks this towards deep mid-wicket for a run.

Continues to bowl short and just outside off. Devdutt Padikkal cuts this late and finds the short third man fielder.

Slightly short this time and in line with the stumps. Yashasvi Jaiswal punches this to deep cover-point for a single.

Rahul Chahar bowls this full and in line with the stumps. Yashasvi Jaiswal is watchful as he dabs this into the off side.

Continues to bowl on a good length and outside off. Devdutt Padikkal knocks this towards the point fielder. Another good start for Rajasthan in the Powerplay as they are 57 for the loss of one wicket after the first six overs.

On a good length this time and outside the off pole. Devdutt Padikkal looks to hit through the line but gets beaten on the outside edge.

FOUR! This is some wonderful batting by Devdutt Padikkal and he is getting Rajasthan off to just the start the wanted! This is short and outside the off pole. Devdutt Padikkal makes room once again and slaps this over the infield towards deep point for four runs.

SIX! The batter backs away and carves this over the ropes for a maximum! Kagiso Rabada bowls this full and just outside off. Devdutt Padikkal makes room by moving to the leg side and slices this over deep backward point for six runs.

Goes fuller this time and outside the off stump. Yashasvi Jaiswal pushes this towards point and another misfield allows them to take a single.

Kagiso Rabada bowls this back of a length and outside off. Yashasvi Jaiswal looks to pull this away but gets an inside edge onto his body.

Bowls this one full and outside off. Yashasvi Jaiswal caresses this towards deep cover past the fielder and they run well to complete three runs.

Outside the off stump once again on a good length. Devdutt Padikkal dabs this towards point and they set off for a quick single.

Delivers this on a good length and just outside the off pole. Devdutt Padikkal taps this towards the short third man fielder.

Another slower ball bowled full and outside off. Devdutt Padikkal looks to hit through the line but gets beaten by the lack of pace.

FOUR! Devdutt Padikkal is looking confident here! Nathan Ellis offers width outside the off pole. Devdutt Padikkal slaps this towards deep backward point for four runs.

Nathan Ellis starts with a slower delivery bowled full and at the stumps. Devdutt Padikkal knocks this back past the bowler.

Continues to bowl short and at the batter. Devdutt Padikkal gets on top of the bounce and fends this to the fielder at the third man for a single.

Bowls this one back of alength and in line with the stumps. Yashasvi Jaiswal opens the face of his bat and works this to third man for another run.

On a good length this time and on an off-stump line. Devdutt Padikkal plays this late towards third man for one.

SIX! That has sailed over the boundary off the leading edge! Kagiso Rabada bowls this full and outside the off stump. Devdutt Padikkal looks to go leg side and gets it off the outside part of the bat over deep backward point for six runs.

Goes full this time and outside the off pole. Yashasvi Jaiswal goes hard at the ball and gets an outside edge towards third man for yet another run.

Kagiso Rabada bowls this slightly back of a length and just outside off. Devdutt Padikkal guides this down to third man for a single.

Hard length delivery angling into the middle and leg. Devdutt Padikkal inside edges it toward square leg for one.

FOUR! Easy pickings! On a good length and down the leg. Devdutt Padikkal tucks it nicely toward the fine leg region away from the fielder for a boundary.

Full and outside off. Yashasvi Jaiswal strides and drives it to deep point for one.

WIDE! Bowls it short and angled down the leg. Yashasvi Jaiswal goes for the pull and misses. This is way over the batter and rightfully given as a wide.

FOUR! SMART BATTING! Hard length just outside off. Yashasvi Jaiswal hangs back and times it off the back foot through the backward point region for a boundary.

Fuller length again and shapes it just outside off. Yashasvi Jaiswal leaves it alone.

Full and angling into the middle and leg. Yashasvi Jaiswal mistimes the on-drive to mid on for none.

On a good length and on off. Devdutt Padikkal plays from the crease and inside edges it onto the pitch.

FOUR! Devdutt Padikkal is off the mark with a boundary! Back of a length just outside off. Devdutt Padikkal carves it through the backward point region and a slight misfield allows the ball to go through for four runs.

Devdutt Padikkal makes his way out to the middle at number 3.

OUT! Rabada strikes! Appeal for LBW and this is given by the umpire! Bowls it full and slanting into the middle and leg. Buttler plays all around it and is trapped in front. A simple decision for the umpire and Rajasthan are rocked back early. Buttler's poor form continues and he departs for a duck.

Peach! On a good length and around off. Jos Buttler pushes at it with no foot movement and is beaten again. 3 dots in a row.

Jaffa! Hard length delivery shapes a bit just outside off. Jos Buttler pokes at it and gets beaten.

Kagiso Rabada starts off on a good length just outside off. Jos Buttler drops it into the off-side.

Kagiso Rabada will share the attack and bowl from the other end.

Full-length delivery at the stumps. Jaiswal bunts it uppishly back to Curran. A dot to end the over.

FOUR! 3 in a row! Short of a length around off. Yashasvi Jaiswal pulls it hard to the deep mid-wicket region. One bounce and over the ropes for a cracking boundary.

FOUR MORE! This time in full control. Short and wide outside off. Jaiswal cuts it through the backward point region and the ball rockets away through the turf for a back to back boundaries. Brar tried to save it in the deep but goes in vain.

FOUR! Yashasvi Jaiswal is up and running! On a good length and outside off. Jaiswal goes for the cut but ends up chopping in past the keeper toward fine leg for a streaky boundary.

Fuller this time outside off, Jaiswal has driven it to mid off.

Sam Curran starts off with a good length delivery that shapes away just outside off. Yashasvi Jaiswal watchfully lets it go.

A brace to end the game, and Punjab have recovered brilliantly after the slow start! Gets one spot on as he bowls a pin-point yorker at the stumps. Shahrukh Khan digs this out towards wide long and they collect two more runs.

FOUR! Lucky boundary but Punjab will gladly take these bonus runs! Trent Boult bowls this full and just outside off. Shahrukh Khan looks to hit through the line and gets an inside edge to fine leg for four more runs.

SIX! Shahrukh Khan has punished Trent Boult here for being too short! This is wide outside off and Shahrukh Khan gets hold of this one as he dispatches it over deep mid-wicket for six runs.

Dropped once again! Trent Boult bowls this full and on the pads. Shahrukh Khan flicks this towards the short fine leg fielder. Yuzvendra Chahal dives to his right but is unable to hold on and they take a couple of runs.

Nails this yorker just going down leg. Shahrukh Khan walks across to the off side and misses his glance. The umpire does not call this wide and the batter reviews this. The third umpire sees the replays and allows the onfield decision to stay.

FOUR! The last over starts just the way the previous over did! Trent Boult bowls a low full toss at the pads. Shahrukh Khan whips this towards deep mid-wicket for four runs.

FOUR! Things are going from bad to worse for Rajasthan as this is not only dropped but also runs away to the fence! Yuzvendra Chahal tosses this full and at the pads. Sam Curran whips this towards deep square leg and Donovan Ferreira (sub) makes an absolute meal of it. He lets go fo the ball and it runs to the boundary for four runs.

SIX! Two maximums in a row and this is proving to be a really expensive over for Rajasthan! Yuzvendra Chahal bowls this one a touch short as well and outside off. Sam Curran pulls this from the front foot towards deep mid-wicket for six more runs.

SIX! Yuzvendra Chahal is being punished here and he has been far too short! This is bowled outside off and Sam Curran stays in his crease and flat bats the ball over the bowler's head for six runs.

Tosses this one full as well and outside off. Shahrukh Khan gets an inside edge onto his pads as he looks to put this away and the ball rolls into the off side for a single.

WIDE! Loops this one full and really wide outside off. Shahrukh Khan leaves this one alone and the umpire calls this wide.

SIX! Great start to the penultimate over for Punjab! Yuzvendra Chahal bowls this full as well and outside off. Shahrukh Khan sweeps this handsomely over deep square leg for six runs.

FOUR! Shahrukh Khan finds the gap nicely here! Yuzvendra Chahal bowls this short and outside off. Shahrukh Khan goes on the back foot and pulls this towards cow corner for four runs.

A lovely yorker to finish things off for Navdeep Saini! Bowls this at the pads, Shahrukh Khan manages to work this towards long on for a single. Navdeep Saini has been a touch expensive but his three wickets were very crucial.

A slower delivery bowled on a good length and into the pads. Sam Curran tucks this with soft hands towards deep square leg for one.

Bowls this on a good length and angles this into the batter. Sam Curran gets cramped for room and knocks this back to the bowler.

FOUR! Another well-executed short by Sam Curran! Navdeep Saini comes 'round the wicket and bangs this in short. Sam Curran sways back really low and gets his bat up in time and knocks this over Sanju Samson's head behind the wicket for four useful runs.

Nails the yorker and serves this in line with the stumps. Shahrukh Khan digs this out towards long on for another run. Punjab need some boundaries here.

Navdeep Saini bowls this full and outside the off pole. Sam Curran opens his stance and miscues this into the air towards deep square leg for a single.

Continues to bowl short and outside the off pole. Sam Curran pulls this towards deep mid-wicket and takes a run to retain strike.

Slightly short and outside off. Shahrukh Khan looks to whip this away but gets another inside edge onto his pads. The ball rolls to the off side and they take one.

FOUR! A fortuitous boundary for Shahrukh Khan but they all count! Adam Zampa tosses this full and just outside off. Shahrukh Khan looks to go hard at the ball and gets an inside edge past the keeper for four runs to fine leg.

Short this time and outside the off pole. Sam Curran mistimes this towards wide long off and they take on more.

Loops this one full and in line with the stumps. Sam Curran dabs this back to the bowler's right.

Adam Zampa bowls this short and outside off. Shahrukh Khan slaps this back past the bowler but it will be just a run.

Continues to bowl full and outside the off stump. Shahrukh Khan hits this uppishly towards long off for yet another single and will keep strike.

Goes a tad bit fuller and just outside the off pole. Shahrukh Khan swings blindly and misses,

Bowls this on a yorker length and at the pads. Sam Curran tucks this towards deep square leg for another run.

A slower delivery bowled full and in line with the stumps. Shahrukh Khan eases this down to wide long on for one.

Bowls this on a good length and outside the off pole. Sam Curran smashes this hard but finds the deep cover-point fielder for a single.

FOUR! That has been really well played by Sam Curran! Sandeep Sharma bangs this in short and in line with the stumps. Sam Curran sways back and opens the face of his bat to play this over the wicket-keeper for four runs.

Slower through the air on off. Shahrukh Khan drops it to the silly-point region. Another dot to end the over. Top stuff from Chahal.

Full on the middle and leg. Shahrukh Khan pushes it to short mid-wicket. 3 dots in a row.

Googly on the off-stump line. Shahrukh Khan dabs it to point off the back foot.

Tossed up full on off. Shahrukh Khan bunts it to short mid-wicket.

Full again on the leg peg. Sam Curran turns it toward mid-wicket for a single.

Floated full on the middle and leg. Shahrukh Khan eases it to long on for one.

Shahrukh Khan gets off the mark with a single. Back of a length ball just outside off. Khan dabs it in front of point fielder and crosses for a quick single.

Strategic break! Punjab have done well to recover from losing four early wickets as a 64-run partnership between Jitesh Sharma and Sam Curran has taken them to a position of safety. The former has fallen 6 short of his half-century but has provided his side with a much-needed impetus and they can now look to push towards a reasonable target. Rajasthan were right on top in this game but have allowed it to get away slightly and will now look to end strong in the death overs. Shahrukh Khan is the new batter out in the middle.

OUT! In the air and taken! Saini breaks the partnership! Bowls the slower ball. Full and outside off. Jitesh Sharma lofts it off the cue end of the blade and hits it high in the air toward the extra cover region. Donovan Ferreira, the substitute fielder runs back and takes a fine catch above his head amd Navdeep Saini looks really pumped up after being put away for three boundaries as he gives the batter a send off. Jitesh Sharma walks back after playing an excellent knock. Punjab have lost half of their side in the 14th over.

FOUR! The runs are flowing! Back of a length around off. Jitesh Sharma pulls it over the mid-wicket toward the fence for another boundary.

SIX! BOOM! Full and wide outside off. Jitesh Sharma clears his front leg and clubs it over the wide long off fence for a huge hit.

FOUR! Very full and just outside off. Jitesh Sharma slices it toward the deep point region. Shimron Hetmyer comes running in for the catch but misses as the ball lands in front of him and spins away four runs.

On a good length and on off. Jitesh Sharma backs away and dabs it to point.

Full and wide outside off. Jitesh Sharma walks across and works it to long on for one to end the over and retain the strike.

Low full toss outside off, drilled to long off for a single.

Yorker on off. Sam Curran digs it out and bunts it to covers.

WIDE! Slower bumper around off. Sam Curran goes for the uppercut but misses. Another wide, this time for the height.

Tad short outside off. Jitesh Sharma cuts it uppishly to deep backward point for one.

Full again just outside off, driven down to long off for one.

WIDE! Off-cutter on a length and outside the tramline. Sam Curran lets it go as the umpire raises his arms.

A low full toss on off. Sam Curran drills it back to Sandeep Sharma who gets down quickly and stops it.

Flatter and quicker at the stumps. Jitesh Sharma bunts it back to Zampa.

FOUR! SMASHED! Bowls it full and outside off. Jitesh Sharma gets down on one knee and reaches for it to hit this inside-out over covers for a stunning boundary. One bounce and over the ropes.

Flat and quicker outside off. Jitesh Sharma cuts it hard to the deep backward point region. Shimron Hetmyer sprints across the outfield and keeps it to two. Top effort.

Full on the leg peg. Sam Curran knocks it to long on for a single.

Bowls it full and at the stumps. Jitesh Sharma advances and hoicks it along the carpet to deep mid-wicket for one.

Flatter, and quicker on off. Sam Curran hangs back and bunts it past Zampa down to long off for one.

Shortish and a hint of turn outside off. Jitesh Sharma goes back and cuts it to the man at point.

Flatter and quicker around off. Sam Curran goes back and hits it down to long off for one.

Tosses it full and on the leg stump line. Jitesh Sharma goes for the heave but inside edges it to short fine leg for one.

Shortish around off. Jitesh Sharma goes back and bunts it to extra cover fielder for none.

Bowls it full and on the leg peg. Sam Curran turns it toward mid-wicket for one.

FOUR! BANG! Short and wide outside off. Sam Curran goes back and slaps it hard through extra covers for a boundary.

SIX! Jitesh Sharma hits the ball so cleanly and he definitely needs to bat higher up the order! This is full as well and outside off. Jitesh Sharma steps into the shot and clears long off with ease once again for six more runs. Sandeep Sharma has conceded 16 runs once again and he is not having a good outing in this fixture.

Bangs this in short and at the batter. Jitesh Sharma lines up to play a shot but decides to duck under this one at the last moment.

A slower delivery bowled full and on the pads. Sam Curran works this towards deep square leg for an easy single.

Continues to bowl full and in line with the stumps. Jitesh Sharma eases this down to long on for a run.

SIX! Jitesh Sharma has connected this sweetly and it has almost gone as high as it has gone long! Sandeep Sharma bowls this a tad bit full and outside off. Jitesh Sharma walks down the wicket and thumps this over long off for six runs.

Sandeep Sharma bowls this on a good length and just outside off. Jitesh Sharma flicks this towards deep mid-wicket and takes a couple of runs.

Strategic Break!  Rajasthan are right on top at the end of 9 overs. They have picked up 4 Punjab wickets and pegged them back in this game. Punjab started well and raced to 40 in the first four overs but Rajasthan bowlers applied the brakes and picked up wickets on a regular basis from thereon. Sam Curran and Jitesh Sharma will need to take it upon themself to resurrect the innings and take Punjab to a competitive total.

Short this time and in line with the stumps. Jitesh Sharma uses the depth of the crease and tucks this towards deep square leg for one more.

Floats this one full and just outside the off pole. Sam Curran taps this and the ball rolls towards long off for another single.

Tosses this full and outside the off stump. Jitesh Sharma knocks this towards long off for a run.

Flights this one full and on an off-stump line. Jitesh Sharma looks to sweep this away but misses and the ball bounces just over the off pole. Three dot balls in a row.

Loops this one full and in line with the stumps. Jitesh Sharma pushes this back towards the bowler.

Yuzvendra Chahal bowls this really full and at the toes. Jitesh Sharma manages to dig this out towards cover.

Back to bowling short and outside the off pole. Sam Curran goes deep in the crease and looks to cut this away but mistimes his shot to the point fielder.

Goes wide outside off on a fuller length. Jitesh Sharma drills this towards deep cover-point and picks up one more.

Loops this one full as well and in line with the stumps. Sam Curran eases this down to long on for one.

Tosses this one full and at the stumps. Sam Curran flicks this towards deep mid-wicket and they run well for a couple of runs.

Continues to bowl short and outside the off stump. Jitesh Sharma pulls this towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

Adam Zampa bowls this short and outside off. Sam Curran goes on the back foot and knocks this towards long off for one.

Gets this one to nip back in from a good length and just outside off. Jitesh Sharma gets cramped for room and gets hit on the pads. Navdeep Saini enquires for the LBW but the umpire walks away and this seems to be going down leg.

On a good length once again and outside the off stump. Sam Curran dabs this towards point and takes a quick single.

WIDE! Navdeep Saini comes 'round the wicket now and bangs this in short, going down leg. Sam Curran ducks under this one and the umpire calls this wide.

Continues to bowl on a good length and outside off. Jitesh Sharma strokes this towards deep cover and takes a single to get off the mark.

Jitesh Sharma comes out to bat at number 6.

OUT! TIMBER! Navdeep Saini has been in fine form in this game claiming his second as he castles a dangerous batter to get Rajasthan right on top in this tie! He bowls this on a good length and angles this into the stumps from outside off. Liam Livingstone goes for a wild heave into the leg side but misses and finds his stumps shattered. Punjab lose their fourth wicket and their middle order has been exposed early in a do-or-die game.

Goes full this time and outside the off stump. Liam Livingstone walks across to the off side and looks to paddle this fine but misses and gets hit on his knee.

Navdeep Saini bowls this back of a length and outside off. Liam Livingstone cross-bats this down to long on for a couple of runs.

Short this time and outside the off pole. Liam Livingstone walks down the wicket and punches this to long on for a run. Punjab are 48 for the loss of three wickets after the Powerplay.

Flights this one full as well and outside the off stump. Liam Livingstone blocks this towards the cover fielder.

Loops this one full and on a leg-stump line. Sam Curran flicks this towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

Sam Curran walks out to bat at number 5.

OUT! PLUMB! Adam Zampa gets a wicket in his first over and the skipper of Punjab has to make the long walk back to the shed after a decent start! This is tossed up really full and in line with the stumps. Shikhar Dhawan looks to sweep this away but misses and gets hit flush on his pads. Adam Zampa runs off celebrating immediately and the umpire raises his finger. Shikhar Dhawan does not even bother considering reviewing this as it is as straight as it can be and Punjab lose their third wicket inside the Powerplay.

Bowls this in line with the stumps on a fuller length. Liam Livingstone eases this down to long on for a single.

Adam Zampa starts with a quick delivery bowled full and outside off. Liam Livingstone dabs this towards cover.

Back of a length around off. Liam Livingstone swats it to deep mid-wicket for one.

Surprise bouncer from Boult! Bangs it short and around off. Liam Livingstone goes for the pull but fails to connect.

Back of a length angling just outside off. Liam Livingstone carves it straight to backward point.

On a good length and around off. Liam Livingstone dabs it to the man at backward point.

Back of a length angled into the batter. Dhawan punches it to deep point for a single.

Full-length delivery at the stumps. Dhawan bunts it into the on-side for a dot.

WIDE! Back of a length ball down the leg. Dhawan looks to tuck and misses. Wide signaled by the umpire.

FOUR! MUSCLED! Fuller-length delivery slanting into the batter. Liam Livingstone gets into his work right away and heaves this through the mid-wicket region for another boundary to end the over.

Gentle full toss at the stumps. Liam Livingstone drives it straight to mid off for none.

Liam Livingstone walks out to the middle.

OUT! CAUGHT! In the air and Taken! Navdeep Saini strikes! Short of a length around off. Atharva Taide goes for the pull but mistimes it straight into the hands of Devdutt Padikkal stationed at the mid-wicket region. Punjab loses their second as Taide walks back for a quick fire 19.

Wide yorker from Saini. Atharva Taide plays and misses on this one. Good comeback ball by Saini.

FOUR MORE! Full again on the pads. Atharva Taide flicks it through the backward square leg region for back to back boundaries.

FOUR! Saini is greeted with a boundary. Full-length delivery around off. Taide heaves it past the bowler through mid on for a cracking boundary.

Back of a length around off. Dhawan rides the bounce and punches it to cover-point fielder. A dot to end the over.

Good length delivery on off. Dhawan bunts it back to Boult.

FOUR! SMACKED! On a fullish length outside off. Dhawan went through with the shot and hits it over the infield as the ball runs down to the fence a boundary.

Back of a length outside off. Taide runs it down to third man for one.

SIX! SMOKED! Full and on the pads. Atharva Taide picks it up nicely and whacks it over the deep square leg fence for a biggie. Excellent pickup shot by Taide.

Back of a length on the pads. Dhawan advances and tucks it off the hip toward fine leg for a single.

FOUR! SMASHED! Short of a length around off. Atharva Taide picks it early and clubs it to the deep mid-wicket region for a cracking boundary.

On a good length again around off. Atharva Taide punches it to mid off.

Good length delivery on off. Dhawan pushes it into covers for one.

SIX! BOOM! Up and Over! Fuller length this time outside off. Dhawan shimmies down and hammers it over the side screen for an 86-meter hit.

On a good length and angling across the batter. Shikhar Dhawan lets it go.

FOUR! BANG! Dhawan pounces on the free hit. Slower full ball at the stumps. Dhawan lofts it over the mid on and and it races toward the fence for four runs.

Good length ball at the stumps. Dhawan gets squared up and dabs it to point. Sandeep Sharma has overstepped and we will have a free-hit.

Sandeep Sharma will share the attack and bowl from the other end.

DROPPED! Could have been a second in the over! Full and a hint of swing outside off. Taide drives it uppishly back toward Boult. He puts his hand out but fails to hang onto it. Excellent over by Boult.

Full again angling into the pads this time. Atharva Taide flicks off the pad into the on-side and looks to take a leg bye but is sent back.

Fuller this time just outside off, driven firmly to mid off by Taide.

Back-of-a-length delivery shaping away from the batter. Atharva Taide watchfully lets it go.

Atharva Taide makes his way out to the middle at number 3.

OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! What a brilliant start by Trent Boult! He strikes yet again in the first over. He serves this on a good length and gets it to swing back into the batter. Prabhsimran Singh is early into his shot and ends up chipping the ball to the right of the bowler. Boult dives to his right and takes a sharp catch to send the opener back to the shed. Punjab have been rocked early as Prabhsimran Singh departs for just 2 and this is just the start Rajasthan wanted.

Boult starts with a good length ball around off. Prabhsimran Singh pushes it gently through covers for a couple to get off the mark.

We are all set for the game to begin as the umpires make their way out to the middle. The Rajasthan players are in a huddle at the boundary line for a few last-minute instructions before taking their respective positions on the field. Shikhar Dhawan and Prabhsimran Singh will open the inning for Punjab and will want to get a good partnership going here. Trent Boult has the new ball in his hand and is ready to begin proceedings. Let's play...

Shikhar Dhawan, the captain of Punjab says that the wicket is the same as the last match and it was a good wicket so they are okay with batting first. Claims that he has told his players to enjoy the game and keep the process going. Mentions that they need to keep their performance up and end the tournament on a high note. Admits that they need to take a few more wickets in the first six overs and take their catches. Informs they are going with the same team.

Sanju Samson, the skipper of Rajasthan says that they will bowl first. Adds that the decision is based on the dimension of the ground and what the team requires at the moment. Mentions that it is crucial to play good cricket and forget things from their previous games. Shares that they have regrouped and hoping to do well in this game. Adds that they have to go back to their basics and each player needs to understand their role well. Closes by saying that Ravichandran Ashwin misses out (back spasm) and they have a couple of other changes as well.

Impact Players for Rajasthan - Dhruv Jurel, Donovan Ferreira, Akash Vasisht, Kuldeep Sen, Murugan Ashwin.

Rajasthan (Playing XI) - Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson (C/WK), Devdutt Padikkal (In place of Joe Root), Shimron Hetmyer, Riyan Parag (In place of Dhruv Jurel), Trent Boult (In place of Ravichandran Ashwin), Navdeep Saini (In place of KM Asif), Adam Zampa, Sandeep Sharma, Yuzvendra Chahal.

Impact Players for Punjab - Nathan Ellis, Sikandar Raza, Rishi Dhawan, Mohit Rathee, Matthew Short.

Punjab (Playing XI) - Shikhar Dhawan (C), Prabhsimran Singh (In place of Nathan Ellis), Atharva Taide, Liam Livingstone, Sam Curran, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Shahrukh Khan, Harpreet Brar, Rahul Chahar, Kagiso Rabada, Arshdeep Singh.

TOSS - The captains are out in the middle. The coin is flipped into the air and lands in favor of Rajasthan. They have elected to BOWL first.

PITCH REPORT - Murali Kartik is pitchside and he informs that it is the same pitch that was used against Delhi. Mentions that it is equidistance on either side as the square boundaries are 65m and hitting straight down is around 75-76m but that does not matter as big sixes were hit in the last game due to the high altitude. He is joined by Matthew Hayden who says it is a free-scoring ground but it got a little tricky at the start in the last match. He reckons that it is a little bit of difference here as there is less grass and the spinners may not get as much help as the cracks don't seem to be wide enough. Goes on to say that he would be interested to see what a good score on this ground will be and therefore the team winning the toss should bat first, get a good total on the board, and defend it.

Rajasthan, on the other hand, have lost their way in the second half of the season. Their campaign hit a roadblock as they lost 6 of their last eight games. Rajasthan were hammered in their previous game against Bangalore and losing by a margin of 112 runs hurt their final charge towards the top-four spot. Their net run rate took a beating and they slipped down on the table. Now, the Sanju Samson-led side will have to play some brilliant cricket to secure a win and hope that the other results go their way for them to qualify further. An exciting contest is up on the cards. Let’s see who comes out on top. Stay tuned as we bring you the toss and team news shortly.

Punjab lost a close game against Delhi in their previous outing at this very venue. Their bowlers failed to execute the plans and a few tactical errors led them to concede 213. Chasing a huge total, despite Liam Livingstone's incredible onslaught, they fell short of the target.  They will have to beat Rajasthan by a massive margin to have a slim chance to progress further. A tough task at hand but they have to accomplish it anyhow to stay in the hunt, although by the skin of their teeth.

Hello and a warm welcome to our coverage of Match 66 in the Indian T20 League. Punjab are facing off against Rajasthan at the HPCA ground in what will be the last league game for both sides. This is a virtual knockout as the winning team will have a glimmer of hope to go through for the playoffs while the journey will be over for the losing side. It’s all to play for at the picturesque ground in Dharamsala.

... MATCH DAY ...

The cricketing festival continues in India as the fans are getting nail-biters after nail-biters in the Indian T20 League 2023. Every game is now crucial in the context of qualification for the playoffs and there is nothing like a dead rubber this season. Here we will be talking about the match between Punjab and Rajasthan which is a massive game for both as the winner of this one will keep their hopes alive and the other one will get knocked out. However, a win will still not guarantee a top-four spot as these two teams are very dependent on other results going in their favour. Punjab will be kicking themselves for losing their last game against Delhi where there were a couple of bizarre decisions that cost them the game. Even after all that, Liam Livingstone played a blinder of a knock of 94 runs off just 48 balls and an excellent fifty from Atharva Taide almost took them home while they were chasing a huge total. Their opening pair (Shikhar Dhawan and Prabhsimran Singh) has done well individually but not as a pair. Dhawan has been their top batter all season and will look to end on a good note. However, their middle order hasn't fired that much except for Jitesh Sharma who has been a revelation this season. They would have hoped more from Sam Curran and Shahrukh Khan but they haven't been able to make any significant impact. They have also not played Sikandar Raza in many games, even though he was crucial in getting them two wins. Their bowling attack looks one of the strongest on paper with Arshdeep Singh, Kagiso Rabada, and Nathan Ellis along with Rahul Chahar as their leggie but they have been hot and cold throughout the season and Curran has also been very expensive. They have nothing to lose now as their NRR is lower than the other teams around them, but if they win, they can surely spoil the party for their opponents. Rajasthan, on the other hand, looked like one of the teams to beat in the first phase of the tournament but they lost momentum in the middle phase and only have themselves to blame for the position that they are in now. They only needed to win their last two games and they would have made it to the knockouts but instead of that they suffered the biggest defeat of the season at the hands of Bangalore in their last game where they lost by 112 runs which dented their hopes big time. Jos Buttler has struggled a bit this season but that hasn't affected them that much because the biggest positive for them and probably the story of this season has been Yashasvi Jaiswal. He has scored over 500 runs which includes the fastest fifty ever in the history of this tournament. However, Sanju Samson has been inconsistent and has played some decent knocks but others need to provide more support. They have Shimron Hetmyer, Joe Root, and young Dhruv Jurel in the middle order who will be crucial if they want to get something here. They have a strong bowling attack though, and everyone has contributed. The spin duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Yuzvendra Chahal uses their experience in the middle overs while Trent Boult strikes early almost in every game. Sandeep Sharma and Adam Zampa have been good as well but it is their batting that has let them down. The Pink team knows the importance of this game and will give everything to get the crucial two points to at least keep their hopes alive. Let's see who comes out on top.