Rajasthan Royals’ second home, Guwahati, didn’t treat them well on their arrival this season as they lost to already-eliminated Punjab Kings (PBKS) by 5 wickets on Wednesday. Skipper Sam Curran’s blazing half-century, along with Rilee Rossouw and Jitesh Sharma cameos, steered Punjab home in the chase of 145, handing a fourth consecutive defeat to Rajasthan.
Despite the loss, RR have managed to retain their second spot on the table with 16 points. However, they might lose it to Sunrisers Hyderabad if the Pat Cummins-led side beat Gujarat Titans on Thursday.
Punjab didn’t have the best of the starts in the small chase. Trent Boult, with his knack of picking wickets in the opening overs, was right on the money with the dismissal of Prabhsimran Singh. Before the Powerplay ended, Avesh Khan added to the visitor’s vows, removing set batter Rilee Rossouw (22) and power-hitter Shashank Singh (0) on consecutive deliveries.
Shashank failed to connect a fuller, straighter one from Avesh while attempting a flick, and the 141 kmph delivery thudded on his bat. Shashank did not even bother to use DRS as he walked away.
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The momentum certainly shifted towards the Royals despite a low score at their disposal. PBKS found them struggling at 48/4 in 8 over with most of their big smashers back in the hut. But captain Curran had other plans for the night.
The English all-rounder could lead the team into the playoffs but ensured a pride-saving win away from home. Curran fired an unbeaten 63 off 41 balls and also featured in a game-changing 63-run partnership with Jitesh Sharma to outsmart the table-toppers Royals.
Curran too gave a dose of punishment to Ravichandran Ashwin, lofting him for a wonderful six over extra cover. But the blossoming stand was snapped by Yuzvendra Chahal (2/31), leaving PBKS at 111 for five in the 16th over.
However, Curran and Ashutosh Sharma (17 not out, 11 balls) knocked off the remaining runs without further drama.
On the day, Punjab Kings restricted Rajasthan Royals to a meagre 144 for nine. For Royals, local hero Riyan Parag scored 48 off 34 balls on a difficult track while Curran (2/24 in 3 overs), Harshal Patel (2/28 in 4 overs), Nathan Ellis (1/24 in 4 overs) and Rahul Chahar (2/26 in 4 overs) were all on target.
Ashwin displayed his batting skills, smashing Chahar for 17 runs in the 12th over that included a sequence of 6, 4, 4 and the first four was a stunning reverse scoop over backward point. But he could not further extend his innings, lofting Arshdeep to Shashank.
Parag, usually a free-flowing batter, had to curb his flair in front of a hugely adoring home crowd because of the regular fall of wickets at the other end.
But a late cut off Curran that sped to third man stood as a testament of his ability and timing as he also moved past the 500-run mark for the season, before getting trapped in front of the wicket by Harshal Patel.
Brief Scores:
Rajasthan Royals 144/9 in 20 overs (Riyan Parag 48, Sam Curran 2/24; Rahul Chahar 2/26).
PBKS 145/5 (Sam Curran 63 not out).
(With PTI Inputs)
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