Mullanpur (Punjab), April 5 (ANI): A hard-hitting half-century by Yashasvi Jaiswal and top bowling spells from Jofra Archer, Sandeep Sharma, and Maheesh Theekshana helped Rajasthan Royals (RR) secure a 50-run win over Punjab Kings (PBKS) in their Indian Premier League (IPL) clash at Mullanpur on Saturday.
With this loss, PBKS suffered their first defeat of IPL 2025 and started their home leg with a setback. They now stand at fourth position with two wins and one loss, while RR move to seventh place with two wins in two matches.
Chasing 206, PBKS had a disastrous start as Jofra Archer removed Priyansh Arya for a golden duck on the very first ball and dismissed in-form skipper Shreyas Iyer for 10 in the same over, reducing PBKS to 11/2.
Marcus Stoinis fell soon after, caught and bowled by Sandeep Sharma for 1 (7), leaving PBKS at 26/3 in 3.3 overs.
At the end of the powerplay (6 overs), PBKS were 43/3, with Nehal Wadhera (8*) and Prabhsimran Singh (17*) at the crease.
Prabhsimran was dismissed for 17 (16) by Kumar Kartikeya, courtesy of a sharp catch from Wanindu Hasaranga, leaving PBKS at 43/4 in 6.2 overs.
Wadhera was joined by Glenn Maxwell, and the duo started rebuilding. The 10th over proved fruitful, yielding 19 runs with two sixes and two fours. At the halfway mark, PBKS were 78/4, with Wadhera on 29* and Maxwell on 14*.
A 50-run stand came up in 33 balls as PBKS crossed the 100-run mark in 12.3 overs.
Wadhera scored his maiden half-century for Punjab, reaching the milestone in 33 balls with two fours and three sixes.
However, the 88-run partnership ended with back-to-back blows from Maheesh Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga. Maxwell departed after a quick 30 (21), and Wadhera followed for 62 (41), including five fours and three sixes. PBKS were 131/6 in 15.1 overs.
The innings lost momentum from there, with Suryansh Shedge (2) and Marco Jansen (3) falling cheaply. PBKS ended their innings at 155/9 in 20 overs, with Shashank Singh (10*) and Lockie Ferguson (4*) unbeaten.
Jofra Archer starred with 3/25, while Sandeep Sharma (2/21) and Theekshana (2/26) delivered match-winning spells.
Rajasthan Royals Post 205/4 After Jaiswal’s Blitz and Parag’s Finish
Earlier, RR posted a massive total of 205/4 in their 20 overs, thanks to a blazing knock from Yashasvi Jaiswal and a late flourish from Riyan Parag.
After winning the toss, PBKS opted to bowl. RR openers Sanju Samson and Yashasvi Jaiswal got off to a flying start, bringing up the 50-run mark in the sixth over.
The duo added 89 runs before Samson was dismissed for 38 (26), hitting six fours, with a fine catch by Iyer off Lockie Ferguson.
Riyan Parag then joined Jaiswal at the crease and continued the momentum. Jaiswal brought up his first fifty of the season in the 12th over.
He was eventually dismissed for 67 (45), including three fours and five sixes, in the 14th over.
Nitish Rana followed shortly after for 12, bowled by Marco Jansen.
Shimron Hetmyer added a few late runs before falling in the 19th over for a quick cameo. RR crossed the 200-run mark, ending at 205/4 with Riyan Parag (43*) and Dhruv Jurel (unbeaten) at the crease.
For PBKS, Lockie Ferguson took 2/37, while Arshdeep Singh (1/35) and Marco Jansen (1/45) chipped in with a wicket each.
Brief Score:
Rajasthan Royals: 205/4 in 20 overs (Yashasvi Jaiswal 67, Riyan Parag 43*; Lockie Ferguson 2/37)
Punjab Kings: 155/9 in 20 overs (Nehal Wadhera 62, Glenn Maxwell 30; Jofra Archer 3/25, Theekshana 2/26)
(ANI)
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