Punjab Kings vs Rajasthan Royals IPL, 2024 Full Scorecard

SIX! Shimron Hetmyer has done it. The pressure got big on Arshdeep Singh here. A full toss on the hips and Shimron Hetmyer just whacks it behind square leg for a biggie. Rajasthan vs Punjab always delivers! Always, always delivers. Rajasthan win by 3 wickets.

TWO MORE! Two runs needed in two. Short of a length and outside off. Shimron Hetmyer pulls it to deep mid-wicket. Sam Curran runs to his left from long on, a slight fumble and the batters take two.

SIX! Misses his length by A LOT! Pitches it up, on off. Shimron Hetmyer just tonks it down to long on and it goes flat for a maximum. One hit away now.

DOT AGAIN! 10 needed in 4 now. A widish yorker again, under pressure by Arshdeep Singh but nails the length. Shimron Hetmyer looks to drive but gets an inside edge onto the pads.

A DOT TO START! Mullanpur crowd pumping Arshdeep Singh here. Very full and outside off, A wide yorker actually. Shimron Hetmyer swings hard but misses. 10 runs needed in 5.

Trent Boult is the new man in but he will be at the non-striker's end for now. Arshdeep Singh to bowl the final over. Can he defend 9 runs and get his side an unlikely win?

OUT! GONE! Shimron Hetmyer might have just told Keshav Maharaj to try and go big. Maybe use this as a free hit. This is full and outside off but he holes out. Keshav Maharaj hits it hard but flat to long on where Liam Livingstone takes it. How important and impactful Ravichandran Ashwin used to be for Rajasthan at this kind of stage? He must be just hoping now for a victory watching from the dugout.

This is full and on middle, Shimron Hetmyer flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

A length ball, outside off, Keshav Maharaj guides it to third man for a single. Rajasthan need to calm themselves here. They are close but Sam Curran will be looking for Shimron Hetmyer's wicket in the last two balls.

Keshav Maharaj is the new man in with Rajasthan a couple of big hits away from victory.

OUT! EDGED AND GONE! He did edge that one! Bangs it short and well above Powell's head. This is angled across and Rovman Powell looks to pull this but cue ends it to the keeper who makes no mistake. Rajasthan need 12 runs off 9 balls with new batter on the crease.

FOUR! Rovman Powell with another one. Full and wide of off again. Rovman Powell steps across and smashes it through covers and it races into the fence.

FOUR! Rovman Powell bringing some Windies power to Mullanpur. Full and well out of the arc of Powell but the West Indian slams it to the left of long off. Jonny Bairstow dives but to no avail.

Sam Curran (3-0-15-0) brings himself back on to bowl the crucial penultimate over.

SIX! BANG! Pin drop silence in the crowd. What a game this is turning out to be! In the arc for Shimron Hetmyer again, on leg and touch short. Shimron Hetmyer pulls it behind square on the leg side for a biggie. 20 runs are needed now off 12 balls.

FOUR! IN THE GAP! Two power hitters out there for Rajasthan! They have to see out this game. Short in length and on middle, Shimron Hetmyer gets low and heaves it. Threads the gap in the deep as mid-wicket and long on just watches it go in between.

Angles a length ball on middle, Rovman Powell tucks it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

A length ball, outside off. Rovman Powell taps it very late and wide of deep point for a couple of runs.

Rovman Powell is the new man in.

OUT! TAKEN! Another one bites the dust! This time Dhruv Jurel has to go. Punjab are not giving up and are actually ahead in the game now. The Mullanpur crowd have found their noise here. Short of a length and around off, Dhruv Jurel pulls but without much conviction. Shashank Singh from deep square leg, runs in, covers a lot of ground and takes an excellent forward-diving catch.

Fuller and outside off, Shimron Hetmyer pushes it to covers for a single.

That is a beauty! An absolute beauty from Singh! Dhruv Jurel has taken it upstairs. There is daylight between the bat and the ball. Onto the ball tracking and it is pitching outside leg. So, so close! Short of a length and on middle and leg, it lands and just zips a touch late. Dhruv Jurel looks to defend but is cramped up. It whizzes past the outside edge to the keeper. Everyone thought there was an edge there but excellent review from Dhruv Jurel.

On a length and on middle, Shimron Hetmyer eases it to long on for a single.

Shimron Hetmyer walks in with the game on a knife's edge.

OUT! TAKEN! This was on the cards for a long, long time. Right from the last over of Sam Curran! Arshdeep Singh bowls it into the pitch, short and on off. Riyan Parag pulls but gets a top edge to deep square leg. Kagiso Rabada has a long time to get under it and he does well to hold it in the deep. A twist in the game. This game is not yet over by any means and the home crowd is loving it.

Riyan Parag living dangerously out there. A length ball, outside off. Riyan Parag tries to punch this time but edges it past the stumps and to fine leg. A good stop in the deep. Two.

SIX! Edged it but this will relief some pressure. Bangs it short and on off. Riyan Parag pulls it gets a thick edge and it flies over third man for a biggie. 37 runs needed now.

Short of a length and outside off. Riyan Parag swings across the line and misses. The keeper appeals but he was the only one apart from a few in the crowd who went up.

Another chance goes down! This time it is Curran! Short of a length and on middle, holds  a bit as Riyan Parag chips it right over Curran's head. The skipper didn't adjust quickly and lets it roll through for a single. Six singles. Excellent over by Curran.

Length ball on middle and leg. Dhruv Jurel turns it to deep square leg for a single.

DROPPED! Hands-on-head moment for Punjab. On a length and on middle, not short enough as Riyan Parag tries to pull. He hits it flat and to long on where Liam Livingstone dives forward but drops it. Needs to take there.

A bit more fine and he would have got a boundary. Length and outside off, Dhruv Jurel dabs it to short third man who misfields and allows a single.

On a length and on middle, Riyan Parag plays with soft hands to mid-wicket for a single.

100 up for Rajasthan! Another 48 runs needed now.On a length and on off. Dhruv Jurel pushes it to long off for a single.

Cut away firmly! Just a fraction short and wide, Riyan Parag latches onto the width and slaps it off the back foot wide of deep point for a couple of runs. 49 needed now off 30 balls.

Short over middle, Dhruv Jurel with a short-arm jab down to wide long on for one more.

Fuller in length and on the pads, worked away through mid-wicket for a run.

FOUR! Just over! Harpreet Brar throws this one wide of the off stump and Riyan Parag throws his hands at it but ends up slicing it over point. Liam Livingstone leaps up but the ball is just out of reach and runs away to the fence for a boundary.

On a good length and sliding on from middle, worked away off the back foot through mid-wicket for a single.

Bowled flatter and from around the stumps, drifting it into off and middle, Dhruv Jurel blocks it from the crease.

Strategic Break! Punjab are keeping themselves alive by taking wickets. Kagiso Rabada has bowled out taking two wickets and now the others have to really step up to take this game at least down the wire. Rajasthan on the flip side have a lot of batting left and will be confident to chase this down. Rajasthan need 58 runs in 36 balls.

What a spell from Kagiso Rabada, 4-0-18-2! Back of a length and on a tighter line around off stump, Riyan Parag stays on the back foot and keeps it out.

Pitches it up now in the channel and Dhruv Jurel is already on the back foot and gets an outside edge down to third man for a single.

Harde length in and around the off stump line, Dhruv Jurel looks to drop and run but the fielder at point is pretty sharp and gets to the ball quickly.

Kagiso Rabada has his tail up! An aggressive and perfect bumper, right over middle stump and coming in at head height, Dhruv Jurel ducks under it well.

Dhruv Jurel is the new batter in.

OUT! LBW! Kagiso Rabada has another one! Sanju Samson does review the decision though. Rabada bowls this one on a hard length and into the pitch a bit on off stump and gets it to nip back in. The ball stays low and Samson misses the pull completely. There is no bat involved and the third umpire moves to Ball Tracking which comes up with three reds and Punjab have their third wicket. Is the comeback really on for Punjab here?

Back of a length and in the channel outside off, nipping away a touch as well, steered down to third man for a single.

Dragged length outside off, punched away from the crease and through mid off for a single by Parag.

Flighted ball, full and outside off, driven along the turf and through the cover region for a fourth single in a row.

Drifted into the pads on a fuller length and Riyan Parag just turns the ball past square leg for another single.

Fuller and around off stump, Sanju Samson pushes it out on the off side for another easy single.

On the stumps, Riyan Parag works it away through mid-wicket for a single.

This one is pitched up on the stumps, Riyan Parag just blocks it off.

A slight miscommunication in the middle but they make it through with ease. Hard length around off and nipping back in, Riyan Parag is caught on the crease and gets an inside edge that lobs off the body and into the leg side. Sanju Samson sets off and Parag eventually responds to the call.

A half-hearted appeal for LBW but not given! Only Kagiso Rabada seems a bit interested and the review has been taken eventually. KG steams in and serves a perfect yorker on middle stump. Riyan Parag jams the bat down in time and seems to have got a big inside edge onto the left boot and the replays confirm the same. NOT OUT!

Riyan Parag is the new man in.

OUT! CAUGHT! Picks the man out in the deep perfectly and the move to bring Kagiso Rabada back into the attack has worked for Punajb. This is dug in short and outside off from around the stumps, Yashasvi Jaiswal hops on his toes and slashes the cut shot flat and down towards a fairly square third man. The ball flies down to Harshal Patel over there and he makes no mistake. Jaiswal departs after a promising start.

A bit too close for comfort! Back of a length and around off, Yashasvi Jaiswal looks to cut close from the body but ends up chopping it back past the stumps and towards fine leg for a brace.

Good length around off at almost 140 clicks, Yashasvi Jaiswal stands tall and hammers it on the up but hits it straight to mid off.

Good length around middle and just angling in, Sanju Samson gets inside the line and flicks it down to fine leg for a run.

Slower and shorter, turning away from around off, Sanju Samson waits back and guides it away through backward point for one.

Liam Livingstone almost pulls off a stellar piece of fielding but he reckons, he didn't get any hand on the ball. The umpires have gone upstairs to be sure though and the third umpire checks the review to reaffirm that there was no contact with the hand. This is bowled on a slightly dragged length, Sanju Samson punches it straight back and the ball hits the stumps at the other end. Yashasvi Jaiswal might or might not have been back in his crease but it doesn't matter.

FOUR! Too short and punished! Dragged down outside off stump, Sanju Samson rocks back and muscles the ball away well in front of deep mid-wicket and picks up a boundary.

Full and on the pads bowled from around the stumps, clipped away behind square leg for a single by Yashasvi Jaiswal.

On a dragged length and over the stumps, pulled away off the back foot through the mid-wicket region for a single.

SIX! BANG! Tossed up right in the slot around middle, Sanju Samson clears the front leg and just hits through the line, thumping it right back over the bowler's head for a clean maximum.

Rajasthan are happy to take singles and doubles. Flat and outside off, Samson hits it to deep cover for a single.

Flatter and around off, Yashasvi Jaiswal knocks it to long off for a single.

Two more! Risky but good running! Tossed up on middle, Yashasvi Jaiswal flicks it to square leg. Four fielders converge and the throw comes to the keeper's end but till then Yashasvi Jaiswal was well in.

A bit short again and across the left-hander. Yashasvi Jaiswal cuts it to deep point for a couple of runs.

One more run! Tad short and around off, Samson whacks it in front of square on the leg side for a single.

Bowls it on the pads, Yashasvi Jaiswal flicks it to deep square leg for a single.

A brilliant over comes to an end. Floated full and on off. Yashasvi Jaiswal mistimes his push. It goes off the inner half of the bat to long on for one.

Shorter and outside off, Samson cuts it through point for a single and gets off the mark.

Flatter delivery, outside off. Samson cuts but straight to short third man.

Flights it full and outside off. Sanju Samson pushes it to the man at point.

Strategic Break! Right then, Rajasthan have just lost their first wicket after putting on their first 50-plus opening stand of the season but haven't been able to take the bull by the horns thus far. They have plenty of batting to come and Punjab will need a lot more wickets in the middle phase to really make things interesting but they have done decently to keep the run rate in check. Let's see who bosses the middle phase and gets into the driving seat. With that said, skipper Sanju Samson walks out to bat.

OUT! BOWLED! Floated, full and on middle, was the googly and there was some extra bounce as well. Tanush Kotian comes down the track and swings across the line but misses it completely and the ball hits the top of leg pole. Just not his day. Tanush Kotian's struggle comes to an end.

Too full and on middle, in the arc and Tanush Kotian heaves but only to get an inside edge onto the pads.

This is full and around off, pace off from Patel and Tanush Kotian slams it back but this time along the ground. It rolls past Patel's legs for a single.

Good stop in the deep. A length ball, outside off. Tanush Kotian strokes it to the left of deep cover where Kagiso Rabada runs and slides to saves a couple of runs.

Too full and on middle, this is clipped through square leg for a single. Yashasvi Jaiswal is feeling a bit of pressure to score as Tanush Kotian is struggling.

DROPPED! On a good length and around off. Tanush Kotian thumps it right back to Harshal Patel who didn't expect it. He tries to take it near his stomach but fails to hold on. Hard one though. One.

Short in length and around off, Yashasvi Jaiswal pulls it to square leg for one. Didn't time it well.

50 up for the visitors. Full and on off, Tanush Kotian pushes it to mid off for a quick single.

FOUR! It was turning out to be a good over before this ball! Full and on middle, Yashasvi Jaiswal uses his feet and flicks it through mid-wicket. The man from long on and deep mid-wicket run around and it is Shashank Singh from deep mid-wicket who lets it through and allows the boundary.

Wide! Almost touching 94 clicks here. Full and down leg. Yashasvi Jaiswal looks to flick but misses.

Tossed up, outside off, Tanush Kotian knocks it through covers for a single.

Four dots in a row. Tanush Kotian struggling here. Full and outside off, it spins away. Tanush Kotian looks to sweep but misses.

Flat and around off, Tanush Kotian punches it to cover.

Similar length and line from Liam. A bit slower this time. Tanush Kotian looks to cut but misses.

Drops it short and outside off, Tanush Kotian cuts it late and to short third man.

This is a good line from Kagiso Rabada here, on a length and angled across again. Yashasvi Jaiswal looks to push at it but misses. A decent Powerplay for Rajasthan.

Fuller delivery and outside off, Yashasvi Jaiswal pushes it late and to third man for a couple of runs.

At 143.5 kph. This is full and outside off, angled across. Yashasvi Jaiswal looks to drive but misses it.

A length ball, around off, Tanush Kotian turns it to square leg for an easy single.

On a length and on middle, Tanush Kotian is hurried as he looks to block, inside edges it onto the pads.

FOUR! Excellent shot by Tanush Kotian! A length ball, around off, Tanush Kotian anticipates the line and hammers it through mid-wicket for a boundary.

Hard length in and around the top of off stump, played from the crease and eased away to covers.

WIDE! An aggressive short ball as Sam Curran bends his back and digs it in halfway down the track over the stumps, and the ball flies over Yashasvi Jaiswal's head.

Another slower one, on a good length and around leg stump, nudged away gently around the corner for a run.

Takes pace off whilst keeping it quite full and around off,m Tanush Kotian has a swing at it but is beaten all ends up.

Full and just outside off stump, Tanush Kotian looks for the cover drive but it is right in the blockhole and the ball zips past the bat.

Good length on the stumps and angling back in, played away on the up and in front of mid-wicket for a single.

FOUR! Rajasthan taking command of the run chase now! Slightly short and wide, Yashasvi Jaiswal stays on the back foot and uses those quick hands of his to cut the ball hard and behind point for another boundary.

FOUR! Top shot and 13 runs come off that over! Another short ball, this time pace on and around off stump, Tanush Kotian hangs deep and climbs on top of the ball before muscling the ball flat and in front of deep mid-wicket for a boundary.

Gets away with it does Arshdeep Singh. Attempted slower bumper but this is angled down the leg side, Yashasvi Jaiswal can't quite swivel and pull it away and gets it off the gloves past the diving keeper but not past the diving man at short fine leg. Just the single then.

Floated up on a fuller length around off, Tanush Kotian gets his hands through for the drive and gets it wide of mid off for just one more.

Short again, angled into the body around waist height and Yashasvi Jaiswal mistimes the pull in front of deep square leg for just a single this time.

Bowled short and angled in at the hips, tucked away neatly behind square leg for a couple of runs more.

FOUR! Arshdeep Singh changes ends and starts with a real freebie. Slower one, a bit too full and outside off, Yashasvi Jaiswal just waits on it and caresses the ball through extra cover for a boundary.

Short again but around off this time and Yashasvi Jaiswal is able to create enough space for the cut shot. This is hit hard but can't get it through point and will be just a single.

Shortens the length and angles it in from around middle, Yashasvi Jaiswal makes room and hits the ball down towards cover-point.

Length ball on the stumps, Yashasvi Jaiswal plays it away straight to mid on and this has been a tidy start with the ball from Punjab.

Uppish but safe! Good length again on middle and leg, this one holds a bit in the deck and Tanush Kotian ends up chipping it just to the right of the bowler for a single.

Nice change of pace from Sam Curran. Rolls his fingers over the ball now and bowls it at just under 111 clicks, on a good length and getting it to grip and spin away from leg stump. Tanush Kotian gets squared up and gets an outside edge down to the right of the keeper.

Pitched-up delivery on middle and leg, no room on offer and Tanush Kotian punches it back to the bowler.

Sam Curran is into the attack now.

A solid comeback delivery from the pacer! Immaculate length in the channel around off, inviting the batter forward for the drive but not full enough as the ball whizzes past the outside edge.

FOUR! Classy shot! A bit too full and straight, Yashasvi Jaiswal lets the ball come on and just whips it using the wrists in front of square leg and picks up a boundary.

Good, positive running but risky as well. Pitched up on off stump, punched sweetly off the front foot straight to mid off and Tanush Kotian sets off for the single. Sam Curran picks up the ball and fires in a throw at the bowler's end but misses and Kotian survives.

Length ball again and outside off at 143.3 clicks, a bit of width on offer and Tanush Kotian drives it straight to the man at cover-point for another dot.

Good length around the top of off and angling back in, Tanush Kotian looks to punch it from the crease but gets it off the inner half of the bat onto the leg side.

Begins from over the stumps and pitches it up at 138.4 clicks around off stump, Tanush Kotian is tentative to get on the front foot and ends up pushing it uppishly towards mid off.

Kagiso Rabada to bowl from the other end.

Hard length over off stump, punched away sweetly off the back foot through covers for a single. 9 off the first over of the chase!

FOUR! Off the mark in style! Fractionally short and well wide, Tanush Kotian stays back and gets on top of the bounce before just guiding it with an open bat face through backward point for a boundary.

Another dot! A tad full on middle and leg, tempting to shape back in, Tanush Kotian watchfully keeps it out on the off side.

Pitches this one up right on off and middle and gets it to shape back in, Tanush Kotian gets on the front foot and sweetly punches it right off the middle of the bat to mid off.

WIDE! Good length, starting on the pads and drifting down the leg side, wide called.

Perfect length in and around off stump and angling across, Tanush Kotian plays it away late and straight towards point.

Through the gap and three runs to begin the run chase! Arshdeep Singh begins with a loosener as he digs it in short and outside off, Yashasvi Jaiswal gets on top of the bounce and forces it without much timing through the cover region and gets off the mark right away.

OUT! TAKEN! Trent Boult finishes things off brilliantly for Rajasthan and manages to keep Punjab under 150. Boult comes from over the wicket now and bangs in a well-directed short ball. This one putches around middle and leg and Ashutosh Sharma gets cramped up and tries to force the pull shot only to end up splicing it in front of backward point. Keshav Maharaj there dives in front and pouches it safely. Sharma departs after a fine cameo and Punjab finish with 147/8!

Fuller one on off and middle, Harpreet Brar goes across the off stump and miscues the attempted scoop towards fine leg for a single.

Shorter and at the body, pulled away behind square leg for just a single this time.

Perfectly bowled and a good review as well! The wide yorker nailed to perfection and Ashutosh Sharma decides to leave it alone. The umpire signals a wide but it is instantly reviewed and the third umpire confirms that the ball did pitch inside the tramline.

FOUR! Beautifully played and the Impact Player is really making a huge difference for Punjab. Full and wide with pace on and Ashutosh Sharma just stays back before carving it away through the cover region for a boundary.

Nicely bowled! Comes from around the wicket and bowls it slow and short, angling it into the left shoulder. Ashutosh Sharma looks to take on the pull but is well beaten.

Trent Boult to bowl the final over.

Goes full and wide again, Ashutosh Sharma opens the bat face and squeezes it away to deep third for a single. 18 off that over!

SIX! Once more, Ashutosh Sharma has taken advantage of a fielding error and has thumped Avesh Khan for another maximum. Banged into the deck and outside off, Sharma stays back and tries to force the lofted shot over mid off. He ends up slicing it but has enough power to clear the leaping man at long off for a maximum.

Wild throw and Rajasthan are being very sloppy in the field here. Full and wide, nails the wide yorker, Ashutosh Sharma squeezes it away straight to Rovman Powell at short third for one and his attempted throw at the keeper's end is well wide and Sharma is able to get back on strike.

SIX! Adding salt to the wounds! Hard length again and on the stumps, Ashutosh Sharma hangs back in the crease and swats it away high and handsome over long on for a biggie.

DROPPED! That hung in the air for eternity and yet neither the keeper nor the bowler could hear or even see each other coming. Banged in on a hard length over middle stump and Ashutosh Sharma just threw the kitchen sink at it. The ball gets hit high and lands around square leg where Sanju Samson had made the distance and called for the catch but Avesh Khan also goes after it and the two players collide to let the ball through. Two taken.

Hard length on leg stump and cramping the batter for room, Harpreet Brar tucks it off the body into mid-wicket and picks up a run.

Full and outside off, driven away through covers for a single.

Harpreet Brar walks to the middle.

OUT! RUN OUT! That is catastrophic for Punjab! Yuzvendra Chahal spears it in full at the legs again and Ashutosh Sharma flicks it away just in front of square leg. The batters run the first one hard and Liam Livingstone instantly turns back for the second as Sharma sends him back. Tanush Kotian runs around to his left and fires in a wide throw at the keeper's end where Sanju Samson collects it well and flicks it back onto the stumps while taking a tumble. No one is interested but the replays show that Livingstone is short of his crease and Rajasthan get a massive wicket here.

A run out appeal has been taken upstairs. Sanju Samson has done something special here. Liam Livingstone is well short. He has to go.

SIX! Raw power from Ashutosh Sharma! Dragged down outside off and at just 84.7 clicks, Ashutosh Sharma goes on the back foot but has to wait for it and manages to muscle it a long way over long on for a maximum.

Leg bye! Speared in very full and right into the pads, Liam Livingstone plays all around it and the ball goes off the boot towards short third and the batters get a leg bye.

Well bowled! Slows it right up and floats it well outside the off stump, Ashutosh Sharma has to fetch the ball and gets an inside edge towards fine leg for just a single.

WIDE! Full and speared down the leg side, Ashutosh Sharma misses the sweep and a wide is called. Oh, dear! Yuzvendra Chahal has committed the cardinal sin and has overstepped. No Ball called and a Free Hit to follow as well...

Shortens the length and pushes it through quicker around off, Liam Livingstone rocks back to cut but chops it back past the keeper for a single.

Dug in a bit over middle and leg, Liam Livingstone whips this one away to deep backward square leg and rotates the strike.

FOUR! Top shot! Full and wide on off stump, Liam Livingstone stays deep in the crease and moves to the off side before maneuvering the ball beautifully through wide mid on for a boundary.

Leg bye! Good length, slanting it into the pads, Ashutosh Sharma looks to play the pick-up shot but misses out and the ball thuds the pads before rolling away to square leg. They get a leg bye.

Takes pace off now and bowls it back of a length outside off, Liam Livingstone moves to the off side and just dabs it down to backward point for one more.

Goes a bit wider on the crease and pitches it right up on middle, Ashutosh Sharma punches it with a straight bat and back past the bowler for a single.

As expected, Ashutosh Sharma comes in as the Impact Player. He replaces Prabhsimran Singh!

OUT! CAUGHT! Straight up and Avesh Khan picks up his second wicket. Hits the deck hard at around 136 clicks and bowls it over the top of off stump. Jitesh Sharma looks to force the lofted shot over mid off but gets it quite high on the bat. The ball gets lobbed up and Riyan Parag takes an easy catch at mid off. Just when Punjab looked to be in for a flourish, Sharma departs and they are pegged back yet again.

SIX! That is massive and Liam Livingstone has started to fire as well. Short ball over middle and right in the hitting zone, Livingstone holds his shape well and pulls it deep into the stands over square leg for a biggie. 17 off that over and the 100 also comes up for Punjab.

FOUR! Gets this one away! Length ball around off stump, Liam Livingstone just shimmies across a bit and swats it away between deep square leg and deep mid-wicket for a boundary.

Liam Livingstone had no idea where that bowl went. At 144.3 clicks and right into the hips, getting the ball inside the hitting arc and Liam swings wildly at it but doesn't connect. The ball lobs off the thigh pad and his body back onto the deck.

Short and well wide outside off stump at 141 clicks, left alone by Liam Livingstone.

Dug in a bit and around off, Jitesh Sharma looks to hit it square through covers but gets an inside edge on the leg side and picks up a singtle.

SIX! Hammered away! Right in the slot outside off and with mid off up in the ring, Jitesh Sharma just smacks the ball over the infield and all the way for another maximum.

Tossed up on middle, Sharma looks to sweep but bottom edges it to square leg for one.

SIX! First six of the match has arrived. Full and wide of off, Sharma comes down the track and frees his arms as he hits it over covers for a biggie.

A googly, on a length and on middle, Liam Livingstone plays it to long on for one.

Too full and on middle, Sharma drills it to long on for a single.

Just one as Liam Livingstone hits this full ball to long on.

Tossed up, around off. Sharma hits it to deep cover for a single.

Exceptional spell from Keshav Maharaj comes to an end. He ends with two wickets. Full and on off, Sharma knocks it to long off for one.

This one slides in, full and around leg. Sharma makes room to push but misses. That was close to the wood.

Tossed up, angling on leg. Sharma looks to sweep but misses and gets hit on the pads. It rolls to point and Liam Livingstone wanted a single but was sent back.

Flatter and outside off. Liam Livingstone goes back and cuts it through point for a single.

This is full and on middle, Liam Livingstone pushes it back to the bowler.

Tossed  up on middle, Sharma nudges it to square leg for a single.

Strategic Break! Punjab really need this break to regroup as they have been wasteful with the bat and seem to be crumbling under pressure here. Rajasthan have done brilliantly thus far and the spin duo of Yuzvendra Chahal and Keshav Maharaj has proved vital for them. Punjab do have Jitesh Sharma and Liam Livingstone at the crease and both of them have the ability to play the big game but they need to build a stand first as there are still quite a few overs left but not much batting to come. Let's see how the first innings pans out.

A wicket and just two runs. How good he has been today! Length and on middle, this is tucked to mid-wicket for a single.

Another dot! Fantastic over so far. On a length and on middle, Sharma nudges it to mid-wicket. Can Sen end the over well?

A length ball around off, Sharma punches it to cover.

A length ball on middle, Sharma blocks it out. Good delivery. Giving nothing away here.

EDGED BUT DROPPED! Big moment in the game! Liam Livingstone gets a life early on. Fuller and outside off, Liam Livingstone drives but gets a thick edge to the right of the keeper, Sanju Samson dives and gets a hand on it but it just doesn't stick well.

Liam Livingstone is the new man in.

OUT! TAKEN! Just when Punjab were trying to shift gears, a wicket falls. Short in length and on off, It was there to be hit and Shashank Singh pulls but mistimes his shot to deep square leg where Dhruv Jurel runs in and takes his third catch of the night.

12 runs off the over! Better from Punjab! Slowly building now to their goal! Full and on middle, this is turned to square leg for a single.

FOUR! Just the over Punjab needed it. Full and outside off. Singh lofts it over extra-coer and bags a boundary.

Flatter and targets the off pole. Sharma knocks it through covers for a single.

Fuller and outside off, Singh drives it to long off for a single.

An arm ball, length and on middle, Sharma cuts it to deep point for a single.

FOUR! Welcome boundary! Much needed one. Tossed up on off. Sharma uses his feet and smokes it down to long off for a boundary.

5 runs of this one. Full and on middle, this is hit to long on for a single. Punjab need to break the shackles soon.

Just one! Too full and on middle, Singh eases it to long on for a single.

Flighted, full and wide of off, spins away. Singh with a wild swing but misses it.

Very full and on leg at 90 kph. Singh looks to flick but misses and gets hit on the pads.

Touch short and outside off, Sharma punches it to deep cover for a single.

Flat and just going down. Sharma seems to miss the flick. Sharma reviews as the wide was not given. UltraEdge shows a flatline as it passes the pad. Wide call given.

This is on the pads, Singh flicks it to deep square leg for a single.

A prolonged appeal from Keshav Maharaj for LBW but the umpire remains unmoved. Rajasthan do review it though. This is pushed through just a bit fuller by Maharaj around off and it seemed to be coming in with the arm. Jitesh Sharma goes down on his knees and strides across to sweep it away but misses and gets hit on the pads. There is nothing on UltraEdge and Ball Tracking shows the impact as Umpire's call and the onfield decision of NOT OUT stands.

Flatter one on off stump, kept out by Jitesh Sharma.

This is short as well and outside off, Shashank Singh comes down the pitch and miscues the lofted shot through mid off for just a single.

Shashank Singh walks to the middle.

OUT! CAUGHT! Straight to the man and Keshav Maharaj strikes again! A bit of a drag-down from Maharaj on middle stump and turning back in as well. Sam Curran rocks back and looks to pull it flat over deep mid-wicket but gets the timing all wrong and he is also hitting into the wind a bit. The ball goes flat as Dhruv Jurel comes charging in from the deep and takes a fine catch diving forward. Punjab in deep trouble now!

Bowled flatter and on the stumps, Jitesh Sharma stays back and plays a whippy drive down to long on for one more.

Quick and short at 100.3 clicks around off, Sam Curran rocks back and muscles it away in front of deep mid-wicket for a single.

Strategic Break! Punjab are reeling on 50/3 as the halfway mark approaches. Rajasthan have bowled really well so far. They will hope to restrict Punjab under 150 but the home team have firepower lined up, they will definitely look for a score around 170.

Good length on middle and angling across the left-hander, Sam Curran plays it off the inner half of the bat through mid on for one and brings up the 50 for Punjab. They are currently going slower than run-a-ball.

Short of a length over middle and angled in at the body, Jitesh Sharma stays back and plays a stylish pull shot down to deep fine leg for a single. He is off the mark right away!

Dug in just a bit on leg stump, tucked away behind square leg for an easy single by Curran.

A bit fuller at 141 clicks and right at the batter, Sam Curran camps back in the crease and just blocks it back to the bowler.

Back of a length and around the hips, nudged away towards mid-wicket for another dot.

Good length around the top of middle and off, Sam Curran stays put and plays it back onto the turf.

Jitesh Sharma walks in early to bat.

OUT! CAUGHT! A soft, soft dismissal and Jonny Bairstow's miserable run continues. Keshav Maharaj floats this one up on a nagging length on off and middle and he gets this one to stick in the pitch. The ball grips and bounces a bit extra as Bairstow is caught on the back foot pushing at it. The ball gets lobbed straight to Shimron Hetmyer at extra cover and he takes a simple catch as Punjab lose their third wicket.

Good length on the stumps, Jonny Bairstow makes room and punches it away to the right of sweeper cover for a couple of quick runs.

Fractionally short over middle and leg, Sam Curran goes on the back foot and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for just another single.

Fuller and wider outside off, stroked away past the diving fielder at covers for another single and that should have been stopped.

Comes from around the stumps to the right-hander and flights it up on off stump, Jonny Bairstow eases it away towards cover.

Starts from over the stumps and bowls it flat around off, turning it back in sharply, Sam Curran rocks back and cuts it to sweeper cover for a single.

Spin from both ends as Keshav Maharaj is into the attack.

Nice and full on off stump, Jonny Bairstow leans on and pushes it back to the bowler. Top over from Yuzvendra Chahal.

Fires this one in full on the legs, Jonny Bairstow looks to come forward and whip it away but misses and gets hit on the pads.

Flatter one on off stump, punched down to long off for a single by Sam Curran.

Sam Curran is the new man in.

OUT! CAUGHT! Yuzvendra Chahal weaves his magic again as he picks up a wicket in his first over. Chahal tosses this one up on middle and leg and gives it a bit more air. Prabhsimran Singh gets enticed by it and comes down the track, looking to hammer it over deep mid-wicket for a biggie but doesn't quite get the timing and the ball is also hit directly into the breeze which is blowing pretty strongly. Dhruv Jurel comes around towards cow corner and reverse-cups it safely.

Floats it up on middle and leg, Jonny Bairstow strides forward and just blocks it to the leg side for another quick run.

Looking for two but won't get it. This is a tad shorter and over middle, Prabhsimran Singh stays back and tucks it away through mid-wicket for a single.

WIDE! A loosener to begin with as the attempted wrong'un is spilled down the leg side. Great take from Sanju Samson behind the stumps though.

Spin for the first time. Yuzvendra Chahal to bowl now.

A touch fuller and angled into the pads at over 140 clicks, Prabhsimran Singh just works it around the corner for a single. At the end of the Powerplay, Punjab are 38/1!

FOUR! Up and over and much-needed for Punjab as well. Good length outside off, not a half-volley by any means but Prabhsimran Singh just holds his shape and thumps it over wide mid off for a boundary.

Goes full and straight now at 139 clicks, Prabhsimran Singh looks to get under the ball and get over the mid on region but miscues it along the turf to the fielder there.

Interesting shot selection from Prabhsimran Singh. Banged in quick and short over middle and angled back in, Singh charges down the track looking to pull it away but is well beaten. Solid bumper from Avesh though.

Hits the deck hard again and bowls it at 143 clicks outside off, Jonny Bairstow chops the ball down through backward point for one more.

Hard length in the channel, Prabhsimran Singh opens the bat face and slices it away towards cover for a quick single.

Two really good overs from the bowling team. Length and on middle, Prabhsimran Singh turns it to deep square leg for one.

A length ball, outside off, Prabhsimran Singh punches on the up and to mid off. He needs a boundary now.

Quick single again! Fuller and around off, shapes in. Jonny Bairstow plays with soft hands to mid off for a single.

On a length and outside off. Prabhsimran Singh taps it to the left of backward point. Keshav Maharaj throws at the keeper's end but Jonny Bairstow is home till then. One.

Length ball, around off. Prabhsimran Singh blocks it to covers.

Fuller and on middle, Prabhsimran Singh drills it to the man at mid-wicket.

This is full and on off, Prabhsimran Singh gets off the mark as he pushes it to mid off.

On a length and on middle, Prabhsimran Singh defends it out.

Prabhsimran Singh is the new man in.

OUT! EDGED AND GONE! Atharva Taide goes. Rajasthan almost fumbled up this one. Short in length and on leg. Atharva Taide tries to use the pace as he looks to pull but gets a thick top edge to first slip. Kuldeep Sen was standing there but the keeper runs across, Sen might have not heard the call from the skipper and eventually takes it. The good thing is the ball meets the hands of Sen and there was no collision.

Three good deliveries by Khan! Goes full now, outside off. Jonny Bairstow inside edges his drive and it shaves past the stumps on the leg side. One.

On a length and on the pads. Jonny Bairstow tries to fend it away but misses it.

A length ball, targeting the stumps. Jonny Bairstow plays it back to the bowler.

Length ball, outside off, Jonny Bairstow pushes it to covers for a single. 9 runs off this one. Good start by the home team.

TWO WIDES! Bangs it short and on middle, it elevates off the deck. Sanju Samson though does well to get some gloves on it and prevents it from running away. Just one.

Sharp single! On a length and on middle and leg. Jonny Bairstow turns it to mid-wicket for a quick single.

FOUR! That is such a good shot! Trent Boult pitches it up, around middle and Jonny Bairstow shows full face of the bat as he drives it down the ground for a boundary. This will boost his confidence.

Tries to use the pace! Fuller and outside off, Jonny Bairstow dabs it to short third man.

This one just nips back in. On a length and on off, Atharva Taide hits it to mid on for one more. He has started well here.

On a length and around off. Atharva Taide blocks it out.

Length and outside off, Atharva Taide plays it in front of square on the off side for one. 13 runs of the over.

Short in length and outside off, Jonny Bairstow cuts it to deep backward point for a single.

Sloppy fielding again! Sneaks one here. Full and outside off. Atharva Taide knocks it to mid off. Keshav Maharaj half-stops and a single is taken.

Two more! 10 runs already of the first three balls. On middle, fuller and it is flicked through square leg for a couple. A fumble allows Punjab to come for the second.

FOUR! Another one! This time to the left of point. Atharva Taide is trying to make his mark. Length ball, outside off. Atharva Taide leans and drives it through covers for a boundary.

FOUR! Welcomes Kuldeep Sen with a wonderful stroke. Pitched up, outside off. Atharva Taide punches it to the right of point for a boundary.

Kuldeep Sen to steam in from the other end.

Shorter and on the hips. Atharva Taide misses his flick and it rolls to point for a single. Given as a leg bye.

Very close! A length ball, outside off, it lands and swings away. Atharva Taide looks to push it across but misses it.

TAP AND RUN! Jonny Bairstow is off the mark. Touch fuller and around off, this is dropped to covers for a single.

A length ball, around off. Jonny Bairstow punches it to covers.

Good timing on that one. On a length and outside off. Atharva Taide punches it to the right of mid off for a single.

Very full and swinging back in on middle, Atharva Taide flicks it but straight to mid-wicket.

Wide! Trent Boult gets it to swing back in but bowls it full and down the leg side. Atharva Taide has his stumps covered but fails to flick it away. Punjab are underway.

We are all set for the game to begin! The two umpires are out in the middle and so are the players of Rajasthan. It will be Atharva Taide to open the innings for Punjab alongside Jonny Bairstow. Trent Boult has the new ball in hand and will be looking to find some early swing. Let's play...

Impact Players nominated by Punjab - Rahul Chahar, Ashutosh Sharma, Vidwath Kaverappa, Harpreet Singh, Nathan Ellis.

Punjab (Playing XI) - Jonny Bairstow, Atharva Taide, Prabhsimran Singh, Atharva Taide (In for Shikhar Dhawan), Liam Livingstone (In for Sikandar Raza), Jitesh Sharma, Shashank Singh, Harpreet Brar, Harshal Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Kagiso Rabada.

Impact Players nominated by Rajasthan - Yashasvi Jaiswal, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Shubham Dubey, Navdeep Saini, Abid Mushtaq.

Rajasthan (Playing XI) - Sanju Samson, Riyan Parag, Shimron Hetmyer, Tanush Kotian (On debut) (In for Ravichandran Ashwin), Dhruv Jurel, Rovman Powell (In for Jos Buttler), Trent Boult, Keshav Maharaj, Avesh Khan, Kuldeep Sen, Yuzvendra Chahal.

Sam Curran, the stand-in captain for Punjab says Shikhar Dhawan has picked up a niggle. Adds they were looking to bowl but now they hope to put some runs on the board. Shares they had a couple of close games, Shashank Singh and Ashutosh Sharma have been playing well but they want to win the games now. Tells it is good to see players coming in and giving some whack. Informs Atharva Taide is in for Shikhar Dhawan and Liam Livingstone is back as well.

Sanju Samson, the captain of Rajasthan says they will bowl first as it looks like a decent wicket to bowl first. Adds that prior to the season beginning they set certain targets and have worked hard and have been playing some quality cricket. Also mentions that they have a few players sidelined due to injuries but they are managing things well. He then reflects on the previous defeat by saying that they did take a few positives from it. Ends by informing that they are missing a couple of legends in the form of Jos Buttler and Ravichandran Ashwin and the likes of Rovman Powell and youngster Tanush Kotian come in.

TOSS - Rajasthan have won the toss and will BOWL first!

Big news coming up as Sam Curran walks out for Punjab for the toss. 

Something similar could be written for Rajasthan as well. They are showing shades of last season where after a promising start they fumble midway through the season. Although they are in top form and top of the table lately, Sanju Samson and his troops will hope history doesn't repeat itself and win here so they can glue their place on top of the table. Both the teams want the win eagerly so expect them to go hard against each other. Toss and team sheets next.

Hello and welcome to yet another clash in the Indian T20 League and it is time for two teams from the north zone to take on each other. It is time for Punjab to take on Rajasthan. Both the teams are coming off a heartbreaking loss against Hyderabad and Gujarat respectively. Punjab have dithered in crunch moments this season. The best example was their last match against Hyderabad where they lost by 2 runs. The positive thing was that local players like Ashutosh Sharma and Shashank Singh have been stepping up regularly now but on the contrary side, the form of Jonny Bairstow, Sam Curran and Sikandar Raza is melancholy. Punjab will hope their overseas player step up and help them get back to winning ways. 

...MATCH DAY...

Entering the fourth weekend of the 2024 Indian T20 League, it is time for match number 27, where Punjab will face off against Rajasthan at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur. Sanju Samson and his team experienced their first defeat in the 17th edition of the Indian T20 League, making them the last to do so, whereas Shikhar Dhawan and his squad are yet to hit their stride. Punjab have blown hot and cold so far, currently languishing in the bottom half of the table with just 2 wins from 5 games. In their recent clash against Hyderabad, Ashutosh Sharma and Shashank Singh nearly carried them over the finishing line, falling short by just 2 runs. However, their top order, comprising Shikhar Dhawan, Jonny Bairstow, and Prabhsimran Singh, has struggled to find form, still seeking their rhythm. Punjab will be eager for the return of Liam Livingstone and are expecting more from both bat and ball from Sam Curran and Sikandar Raza. The bright spots for them have been the emergence of heroes like Ashutosh Sharma and Shashank Singh. Despite this, their spin bowling has faced challenges, putting the onus on Harpreet Brar to elevate his performance and a possible inclusion of Rahul Chahar. In the pace department, Arshdeep Singh shone with a four-wicket haul in the last game, while Kagiso Rabada and Harshal Patel contributed as well. A collective bowling effort from Punjab will be imperative to take down a strong Rajasthan batting unit. On the flip side, Rajasthan currently lead the standings with four wins out of five games. In their previous encounter against Gujarat, they controlled the game for the most part but faltered in the last two overs of their bowling effort. Despite Yashasvi Jaiswal's limited contributions to Rajasthan's victories, the team has been buoyed by consistent performances from Riyan Parag and Sanju Samson. Jos Buttler could not back up his century against Bengaluru in the last outing, but he will hold the key up top. In terms of bowling, Yuzvendra Chahal has led the pack, well-supported by Ravichandran Ashwin. The absence of Sandeep Sharma has left a gap in their death bowling options. Trent Boult and Nandre Burger have performed admirably with the new ball, with the latter expected to return after missing out in the last game. Playing in his first game of the season, Kuldeep Sen impressed with a three-five wicket haul and will be aiming to capitalise on this momentum, whereas Avesh Khan will be looking to make amends after a not-so-great last over against Gujarat. With both teams hungry for a victory following recent defeats, it sets the stage for an intense showdown. Who are you backing to come out on top?