Mumbai: Punjab Kings opened their account with thrilling a four-run win over Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League in Mumbai on Monday (April 12). Needing a six off the last ball, Sanju Samson (119 of 63 balls) hit straight into the hands of a fielder at the boundary to fall short which is nothing but an entertaining inning from the Rajasthan skipper.
We're pretty sure Jofra didn't predict this 😅🤭#SaddaPunjab #IPL2021 #PunjabKings #PBKS #RRvPBKS pic.twitter.com/hxn9CvUWkc
— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) April 12, 2021
Chasing a mammoth 222, Rajasthan struggled from the very beginning. Ben Stokes and Manan Vohra both went cheaply while Jos Buttler, despite a good start fell to Jhye Richardson. Shivam Dube and Riyan Parag too followed the same path. With the asking rate going sky high it all came down to Samson.
The Royals skipper took every Punjab bowler to the cleaners bringing up a superb century. With 13 runs needed off the last over, Punjab youngster Arshdeep Singh held his nerve to see things over the line as Royals ended on 217/6.
Earlier, Punjab too had a scratchy start with Mayank Agarwal going home early. Chris Gayle started off well along with skipper KL Rahul before the big Jamaican got out for 40 off Riyan Parag.
Deepak Hooda was promoted up the order to accelerate the innings and the lad from Baroda did it in style hitting a swashbuckling 64 off 27 while adding 105 run with his skipper for the third wicket. His fireworks came to an end after miscuing one in the air finding Parag.
Rahul too was on his way to a deserving hundred but fall nine short as he went for a big hit over the cow-corner but Rahul Tewatia’s magnificent effort on the ropes sent him home with Punjab finishing on 221/6 in 20 overs.
