Summary
It got quite nervy in the end, but Rajasthan Royals finished on the right side of the result in Dharamsala, beating and eliminating Punjab Kings in a four-wicket win while also keeping their outside playoff chance alive.
Even while Dhruv Jurel hit a six in the fourth ball of the 20th over to seal the win, the Royals’ victory was set up by their left-hand batting trio of Yashasvi Jaiswal (51), Devdutt Padikkal (50), and Shimron Hetmyer (44).
Jaiswal and Padikkal dragged Royals out of a sticky position - with Jos Buttler and Sanju Samson failing - while Hetmyer ensured the run-rate did not go out of hand in the back end.
The Kings had a realistic chance of victory after Jitesh Sharma, Sam Curran and Shahrukh Khan overcame a top-order batting collapse to take their side to 187 in the first innings. They came into the game needing a mammoth win to boost their NRR, and even though they knew that wouldn’t happen midway through the chase, they fought till the very end to make Royals squirm.
Royals now set their eyes on Sunday’s action. To qualify, they need Mumbai Indians to lose to Sunrisers Hyderabad and also for Royal Challengers Bangalore to lose by atleast six runs to Gujarat Titans in the league stage’s last fixture.
more to follow...