Rajasthan Royals vs Punjab Kings IPL, 2024 Full Scorecard

Punjab get the job done! Rajasthan slump to their fourth successive defeat. Avesh bends his back and serves a bumper, around leg, Ashutosh Sharma is early into the pull shot. Toe-ends it behind square on the leg side and that will do for Punjab as the batters cross. Punjab win this encounter with 7 balls to spare and lift themselves off the bottom.

SIX! That's what Ashutosh Sharma can do! This has gone many a mile. Angling in, on a good length, honing in at the stumps, Ashutosh Sharma clears his front leg and picks the bones out of that. Deposits it way over wide long on for a maximum. Scores level now.

Serves it on a yorker length, on middle, Sam Curran squeezes it out to long on and rotates the strike.

SIX! BOOM! Stand and deliver stuff from the Punjab skipper! Avesh bowls it on a back of a length, over middle, Sam Curran is unfazed by the length. Holds his shape and tonks it over wide long on for half a dozen. Punjab nearly there. Just 8 needed off 10.

Bowls it on a shortish length, on off, Ashutosh Sharma stays deep in his crease and throws his hands at it. Gets a thickish outside edge that goes over backward point. A single taken.

SIX! BANG! Sam Curran finishes the over in the best possible fashion! Another over that was going well for Rajasthan but ended in a heartbreaking fashion. Sandeep digs it in short, over middle, not short enough for the batter, Sam Curran dispatches the pull over deep square leg for a maximum. 15 runs needed off the last 2 overs.

Full and angling in, around off, Ashutosh Sharma drills it down to long off. Just like the previous over, 4 runs off the first 5 balls. Will it have the same finish?

Nails the yorker, at the base of the stumps, Ashutosh Sharma gets his bat down in time and jams it out to the right of the bowler.

FIFTY FOR SAM CURRAN! A captain's innings from the English all-rounder and he has led the recovery for his side after a shaky start. The job is not over though and Curran knows it, just a raise of the bat from him. Into the deck, around off, Sam Curran drags the pull to long on for a single.

Pulls his length back but offers no real pace, on middle and leg, Ashutosh Sharma uses his feet and drops it beside the pitch on the leg side for one.

Rolls his fingers over the ball and keeps it away from the arc of the batter, full in length, Sam Curran reaches out and creams it to deep cover for a single.

FOUR! Ashutosh Sharma gives Punjab the boundary they were after! Sanju Samson's reaction says it all. A boundary off the last ball spoils what was turning out to be an absolutely brilliant over from Avesh. Avesh takes pace off and goes into the wicket, errs in line though as he offers width on off, Ashutosh Sharma hops back and waits for the ball to arrive. Ramps it over the keeper and finds the fence. 8 runs off the over and Punjab now need 25 runs from the last 3 overs.

In the air... and it just about evades the bowler! Bangs it on a back of a length, over middle, the ball sticks in the surface and Sam Curran closes the bat face to work it across the line. Gets a leading edge that goes past the outstretched right hand of Avesh. They cross.

Continues to hit the deck hard does Avesh, outside off, Ashutosh Sharma uses the pace and runs it down to deep third for one more run. 3 runs off the first 4 balls. Can Avesh get out of the over here?

Lands it on a good length, on off, Sam Curran drives it on the up and a bit aerially but in front of mid off for one.

Hurls it on a hard length ag ain, on off, Sam Curran gets on his toes and steers it to backward point. Ashutosh Sharma wants a single but gets sent back by his partner.

A direct throw and Sam Curran was struggling! Avesh bowls it on a hard length, on off, Ashutosh Sharma dabs it to the right of backward point and sets off for the run. Yashasvi Jaiswal gets a good bounce and fires in a throw at the batting end. He fails to hit the stumps, allowing Curran to get in safely.

Ashutosh shows his cards a bit early as he uses his feet. Chahal fires it on the pads and Ashutosh tucks it through square leg and gets off the mark with a single. A wicket and 9 runs off it, a potentially game-changing over from Chahal.

Flighted delivery, full and a hint of away turn, on off, Ashutosh Sharma gets his bat out in front and defends it on the off side.

Strategic break. The biggest stand of this game has been broken by Yuzvendra Chahal, at a very crucial juncture as well. This is what Rajasthan need and their ace-spinner has given them a slight-edge at the fag end of this innings. Can Rajasthan now spin the game around in their favour? Or will Sam Curran continue with his on-slaught? Stick around to find out. It is Ashutosh Sharma who walks in to bat now as an Impact substitute player.

OUT! TAKEN! 'Catch it' is the call and Riyan Parag takes it! Jitesh Sharma tries to take Chahal on but it does not quite come off for him. Chahal bowls it full and straight, on middle and leg, Jitesh Sharma clears his front leg and shapes up for the down town. He plays for the ball turning away from him but this goes straight and catches the inner half of the bat. It goes flat and straight down the throat of long on where the local boy, Riyan Parag runs in and takes the catch near his knees. A timely breakthrough for Rajasthan.

Floats it up and bowls it slower as well, on middle and leg, Sam Curran advances and nudges it to mid-wicket for one.

FOUR! Sam Curran does not miss out this time! Way too short again and width on offer on off, Sam Curran reaches out and slaps it in front of square on the off side for a boundary.

WIDE! Chahal is lucky, very lucky to get away with it! A real rank-hop, down leg, there to be put away, Sam Curran gets inside the line and swings but fails to connect. Sanju Samson moves around quickly and dives low to his right to make the stop.

Sees the batter advance and drops the length back, it is slower as well, on leg, Sam Curran waits on it and tucks it to the left of deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs. Curran loses his footing while stretching to make his ground at the batting end. He looks fine to continue though.

A single now as Curran works this full ball down the ground.

Fuller one, on off, blocked out.

SIX! WHAT A SHOT! 100 up for Punjab in fine fashion. It is pushed through quicker and full, outside off. Curran dances down the track and goes inside out over wide long off for a huge hit.

A single now as Jitesh Sharma knocks this full ball to mid on.

SIX! BANG! It is flighted and full, on off. Jitesh Sharma gets down on one knee and slogs it powerfully over the wide long on fence for a maximum.

Floated and full, around off. This one holds in the surface. Jitesh Sharma defends it out off the top-half of the blade.

An 8 run over comes to an end here. It is full, outside off. Sharma dabs it to deep third for one.

On a fuller length, outside off. Curran flicks it into the leg side for a single.

Good length, angled into the body. Sharma pulls it to deep square leg off the inner half. One taken.

Back of a length, outside off. Sharma tucks it to mid-wicket for no run.

Fuller one on the pads. Sam Curran clips it to square leg for one.

FOUR! Easily done. Boult serves it on a length, angling down leg. Sam Curran swivels and whips it towards fine leg for four runs.

Trent Boult (2-0-19-1) returns to the attack.

Darted on the pads. Curran clips it to mid-wicket for one. Punjab need 64 runs in 42 deliveries. This partnership is making their case stronger in this run chase.

Pushed through quicker, on off. Curran pushes it out gently.

Flatter and quicker, outside off. Curran pushes it to mid off for no run.

Fuller, outside off, pushed to point.

FOUR! Sam Curran with a thunderous strike. He is playing a captain's knock here. Short one, wide of off. Curran goes back and cuts it hard to deep point for a boundary.

Ravichandran Ashwin starts with an arm ball, on the pads. Curran clips it to mid on for no run.

Darted on the pads. Sam Curran clips it into mid-wicket for one.

Yuzvendra Chahal serves it short, on leg. Sam Curran uses his feet and tucks it to square leg for a brace.

FOUR! It is full, on middle and leg. Sam Curran clears his front leg and whips it along the ground through mid-wicket for four runs.

Fuller one, outside off. Jitesh Sharma punches it to mid off for a single.

Sam Curran now rotates the strike as he smacks this full ball into covers.

Floated and full, around middle. It turns away. Jitesh Sharma clips it into the leg side for one.

A length ball, around off. This one holds in the surface. Jitesh Sharma hangs back and clips it into the leg side for one. Avesh Khan has given away just 5 runs in his two overs so far.

Back of a length, outside off. Jitesh Sharma cuts it towards deep point. They take two runs. Avesh Khan continues to keep it tight.

Four dots on the trot. Avesh Khan fires it on a shorter length outside off, on the quicker side as well. Jitesh Sharma gets behind the line and stabs it to backward point.

A sharp bouncer, on off. Sharma lets it be due to that extra bounce.

Shorter one, outside off. Sharma punches it to point for no run.

Avesh Khan serves a short one, on top of off. Jitesh Sharma stays back and taps it to mid off.

Pushes it through, full and on middle, Jitesh Sharma turns this one in the vacant mid-wicket region and keeps the strike with a single. Punjab need just over 8 runs per over and they got 8 from this Chahal over. At the halfway mark, Punjab are 63/4, needing 82 runs from the last 10 overs.

At 92.6 kph, on a nagging length, around the pads, Sam Curran tucks it in front of square on the leg side and will have to be content with just a run.

Angles it across the left-hander, full and near the tramline on off, Sam Curran lets it go.

Tosses it up and bowls it full, Jitesh Sharma gets on the front foot and drives it with a straight bat to long off for one more.

Drags the length back and bowls it around middle, Sam Curran whips it to the left of long on and looks for the second but the fielder in the deep swoops in and keeps it down to one.

FOUR! Not where he intended but Sam Curran will take it! Chahal bowls it full and straight, at the stumps, Sam Curran gets down and hurriedly goes for the sweep. Gets it off the inner half of the bat but it splits the gap behind square on the leg side for a boundary.

Strategic break. Rajasthan are doing a superb job with the ball in hand. They might've scored 15-20 runs less than what they would've envisioned, but with the ball they are putting up a solid fight. Yuzvendra Chahal picked a crucial wicket in the previous over, which put Punjab in a spot of bother. One partnership can get some life in their innings.

On a fullish length, at the stumps, Jitesh Sharma gets his bat down in time and keeps it out at the right of the bowler. Just 7 runs off it despite that maximum from Jitesh.

SIX! Too short and Jitesh Sharma climbs all over it! Serves the carrom ball again but gets the length wrong, way too short, on off, Jitesh Sharma rocks on the back foot quickly and nails the pull over deep mid-wicket. Gets off the mark with a maximum.

Bowls the carrom ball, full and on middle, Jitesh Sharma eases it back to the bowler.

Serves it short and just outside off, Sam Curran gives himself room to play the cut. Gets it off the outer half of the bat towards point for one.

Fires it in from around the wicket, on middle, Sam Curran prods to defend and gets an inside edge onto the pads.

Flat and angling in, short and on middle, Sam Curran tucks it off the back foot to mid-wicket.

Jitesh Sharma comes out to bat now.

OUT! IN THE AIR AND GONE! No boundaries since the 4th over and something had to give! Yuzvendra Chahal with the big wicket for Rajasthan as they strengthen their grip on the game. Chahal cleverly goes full on this occasion and lures Bairstow into the slog sweep. Bairstow takes the bait and gets down on one knee for the shot. Does not get the desired connection and it goes only as far as deep mid-wicket where Donovan Ferreira takes it near the fence. He is well in control of the ball and well inside the ropes. He does not need to but still flicks the ball to his left towards Riyan Parag at wide long on who completes the catch.

Drops the length back more and bowls it on middle, Sam Curran steps out to get momentum into the shot and turns it to deep mid-wicket for one.

Attacks the stumps but the length stays short, Jonny Bairstow goes back in his crease and flat bat it aerially towards wide long on where Riyan Parag keeps it down to just one.

At 90.3 kph, turning in, short and on middle, Sam Curran whips it with the turn to deep mid-wicket for one.

A bit fuller and it is quicker as well, on off, Jonny Bairstow plays it off the back foot and plays it square to deep point for one.

That Avesh Khan over has brought Rajasthan back into the game, now the onus is on both their experienced spinners to try and make it more difficult for Punjab.

Gets away with it does Chahal! Too short and slower, turning away, on off, Jonny Bairstow moves away to the leg side and cracks the cut but it goes straight to cover.

Continues to keep the length towards him rather than keeping it towards the batter, around the off-stump line, Jonny Bairstow makes room and slaps it down to long off for one more single. A quiet first over from Ashwin, just the 5 runs off it.

Uses the round-the-wicket angle and angles it into the left-hander, on a nagging length, Sam Curran eases it to long off for a run.

Drops it short and on middle, Jonny Bairstow exposes all his stumps as he backs away and cuts it to deep cover for one.

Comes from around the wicket for the left-hander and pushes it through with the angle, short and on middle and leg, Sam Curran pushes it aerially but well away from the bowler. A single taken as the ball rolls to long on.

Sliding on the pads, a bit quicker, Jonny Bairstow knocks it to wide long on for a single.

Starts off on a nagging length does Ashwin, on off, gets a hint of turn, Jonny Bairstow hangs back and chops it beside the deck.

Even slower by Sandeep, at 103.6 kph, on a short of a length, Jonny Bairstow tucks it off his pads towards short fine leg. Just 2 runs off it and at the end of the Powerplay, Punjab are 39/3.

Sandeep continues to mix it up. This is on a length and without any pace on it, on off, Jonny Bairstow presses forward but can only pat it back to the bowler.

This is full again, on off and middle, Jonny Bairstow firms the straight drive but can't get it past the bowler who makes the stop.

Another off-pace delivery, at the stumps, on a good length, curving away a bit, Jonny Bairstow reads it well and plays it back to the bowler.

Takes pace off a bit and drags the length back, on middle, Sam Curran punches it with a straight bat to long on for a single.

Comes from around the wicket and pitches it up, on off, Sam Curran drives it without much timing to cover.

Short ball, outside off. Curran pushes it to point for one.

The Punjab skipper, Sam Curran walks in with his side in a spot of bother.

OUT! LBW! Avesh Khan with a game-changing over here. Avesh Khan hits it on a hard-length, around off. This one skids off the and catches Shashank Singh on his pads. The appeal is made and the finger goes up instantly.

It is a full ball, on off. Singh pushes this to extra covers. Jonny Bairstow ventures out looking for a single, but is sent back in time, as Ravichandran Ashwin scores a direct hit at the non-striker's end but the replays confirm that the batter is safe.

Shashank Singh is the new man in.

OUT! CAUGHT! Avesh Khan with a huge wicket here. It is a full ball, outside off. Rilee Rossouw leans in and throws his bat at it but he ends up slicing it towards backward point. Yashasvi Jaiswal takes a sharp low catch.

Good length, around off. Bairstow pushes it to covers for one.

A length ball, on off. Jonny Bairstow defends it out nicely.

Avesh Khan comes into the attack as the first change.

FOUR! Poor from Sandeep Sharma. He goes full and into the pads. Rilee Rossouw picks it up nicely and swings it towards deep mid-wicket for four runs.

Sandeep Sharma nails the yorker this time, on off. Rilee Rossouw jams it back to the bowler.

FOUR! It is full, angled into the body. Rilee Rossouw swings across and gets it to deep mid-wicket for four more. He moves to 18 now.

A low full toss, outside off. Jonny Bairstow looks to push it away but gets an inside edge on it. The ball just dies there and they take one. This partnership has grown positively for Punjab.

Too full, outside off. Jonny Bairstow pushes this into covers.

Pitches it up, around off. Jonny Bairstow pushes it towards mid off for none.

Shorter one, outside off, shaping further away. Rilee Rossouw throws his bat at it but misses.

FOUR! Two boundaries in a row now. It is a length ball, outside off. Rilee Rossouw shuffles and clips it towards deep mid-wicket. The ball goes into the boundary.

FOUR! Short and punished. Boult drops his length this time and Rilee Rossouw is ready to pounce on it. He pulls it through mid-wicket for a cracking boundary.

Fuller one, wide of off. Jonny Bairstow flat-bats it down the park for one.

FOUR! Jonny Bairstow gets into the act. It is a good-length delivery, on off, nipping back in. Jonny Bairstow hangs back and smacks it over mid on. He clears the in-field and finds the boundary.

A length ball, angling across. Jonny Bairstow knocks it into covers but straight to the fielder.

Sandeep Sharma fires it full, on off. Rilee Rossouw flicks it into the leg side for no run.

FOUR! Rilee Rossouw finds his first boundary. It is a full one, outside off. Rilee Rossouw hangs back and crunches it through covers for a cracking boundary. A much-needed one as well for Punjab.

Rilee Rossouw knocks this length ball towards deep point for two runs.

On a good-length, angling across. Rilee Rossouw stays back and punches it to covers for none.

On a length, on off. Jonny Bairstow hangs back and clips it into mid-wicket for one.

Sandeep Sharma starts his spell with an inswinger, Jonny Bairstow stays back and defends it out solidly.

It will be Sandeep Sharma to operate from the other end.

Back of a length, outside off, shaping away. Rilee Rossouw looks to cut it away but gets beaten on the outside edge.

A length ball, on off. Rilee Rossouw blocks it solidly.

Rilee Rossouw walks in at number 3.

OUT! CAUGHT! Yuzvendra Chahal with a spinning catch. This time he was the one who was turning all under the swirling ball. It is a short one from Boult. It shapes back into the right-hander. Prabhsimran Singh throws his bat at it. The ball goes high in the air towards short third. Yuzvendra Chahal completes a stunning catch.

FOUR! Wonderful shot. Trent Boult fires it full into the pads. Prabhsimran Singh drills it past the bowler for a cracking boundary.

A length ball, in the channel. Prabhsimran Singh gets it towards deep third off the outside edge. Yuzvendra Chahal in the deep puts his body on the line and saves a boundary.

Short one, on off. Prabhsimran Singh stays back, this one moves back into him and he just pushes it back to the bowler.

OUT! RUN OUT! It is a full ball, on middle and leg. Boult works it towards long on and races to the other end. Jitesh Sharma quickly gets to the ball and fires it towards the wicket-keeper. Trent Boult is caught short as he goes looking for the second run. Rajasthan only manage to put 144 runs on the scoreboard.

Just short. A fuller one, on the stumps. Trent Boult hits it high in the air towards mid-wicket. The ball does not carry as the bowler hardly offered any pace on this one. Two runs taken.

A dipping full toss once again, but Khan knocks it down to long on for one.

Full toss, on the pads. Avesh Khan flicks it to fine leg for two runs.

Avesh Khan comes out to bat now.

OUT! LBW! The dipping full toss does it this time. Riyan Parag once again looks to send it sailing into the stands, but fails to get any bat on it. He gets struck on the thigh pad of his front leg. Harshal Patel puts in a loud appeal and the finger goes up instantly. Riyan Parag takes a review, as he is the last recognised batter, but he knows that he is done here. The Ball Tracking shows three reds and he takes the long walk.

Harshal Patel dishes a slower one, full and outside off. Riyan Parag sets his eyes on it and goes for a wild heave across the line but does not connect.

Who will bowl the last over? It will be Harshal Patel. He has gone for 22 runs from his 3 overs. Can he keep Rajasthan under 150?

A low full toss, on middle. Boult whips it towards mid on for no run. Riyan Parag to be on strike.

Slower one, on a good length, outside off. Trent Boult has to reach out and only manages to get a under-edge on it.

FOUR! It is a fuller one, angled into the pads. Trent Boult just gets a bit of blade on it. The ball races down to fine leg for four more. Trent Boult with some valuable contribution. Punjab send it upstairs to check for LBW but UltraEdge shows bat involved.

FOUR! He connects this time and finds the boundary. Shorter one, outside off. Boult goes back and cuts it towards third man for four runs.

Boult tries to go after this full ball, outside off, but fails to get any bat on it.

Nathan Ellis fires it full, into the pads. Trent Boult just tries to flick it into the leg side but gets pinged on his pads. Ellis appeals but the umpire shows no interest.

Nathan Ellis (3-0-16-1) has been given the ball for the penultimate over.

On a length, outside off. Parag goes back and punches it to deep point for two runs. Once again he places it really well in the gap to beat the fielder inside the circle. The local boy has certainly grown into a solid player. He just continues to answer his critics this season.

Low full toss, outside off this time. Parag taps it towards point and comes back for the second run.

Full toss, on the pads. Boult shuffles and clips it into the leg side for one.

Trent Boult walks in next.

OUT! CAUGHT IN THE DEEP! Donovan Ferreira has to walk back on just 7 runs. The impact player could not really make a difference. Rajasthan in deep trouble. It is full and on off. Donovan Ferreira ends up slicing it down the park. Rilee Rossouw races towards his left and takes a sharp running catch at long off.

Full again, angled into the pads. Donovan Ferreira clips it towards wide long on for a brace.

Fuller one, outside off. Parag knocks it to long on for one.

A full toss, but a low one, wide of off. Parag only manages to work it towards mid on for a single.

A slower bouncer, angled into the right-hander. Riyan Parag sways away from the line of the delivery.

Fuller one, on off. Parag knocks it into covers for none.

DROPPED! Arshdeep Singh is quite frustrated. It is a slower one, in the blockhole. Riyan Parag ends up hitting it to the left of the bowler. Although, the bowler fails to get a hold of it.

FOUR! A bit of luck, but he will take it. Two boundaries in a row for Rajasthan now. Back of a length, outside off. Parag looks to slap it into point, but it catches the outside edge and flies towards deep third for four runs.

FOUR! The local boy is turning the heat up. It is pitched up, on off. Parag waits for it and smacks it down the park for a cracking boundary.

Strategic break! Punjab continue to dominate the proceedings and they just have not allowed Rajasthan to get any sort of momentum into their innings. Through some disciplined bowling, they have been able to chip away at the wickets but cannot afford to be complacent and let the pressure off in the last four overs. Having been there since the 7th over, Riyan Parag has to bat through and ensure that Rajasthan end up with a fighting total. Arshdeep (3-0-22-1) will bowl after the break.

Fuller one, wide of off. Parag leans in and drives it towards deep cover for one. A 10-run oer for Rajasthan, followed by a strategic break, might just inject some aggression for the death overs.

Short ball, outside off. Donovan Ferreira pulls it into mid-wicket for one.

Fuller one, on off. Parag pushes this to mid on and crosses for a quick single.

FOUR! EDGED! This one flies past the flying Jonny Bairstow. Just finger-tips away. Short ball, outside off. Riyan Parag throws his bat at it. The ball catches the outside edge and flies down to deep third for four runs.

Shortish once again. Donovan Ferreira stands tall and pulls it to wide long on for one.

Nathan Ellis starts this over with a short one, on top of off. Donovan Ferreira gets it to square leg off the inside edge. They take two runs.

Drags his length back and bowls it over off, Donovan Ferreira gets on the back foot and he has to wait and wait to get the pull shot away. Pulls it uppishly without much timing in the vacant mid-wicket region for a single. Chahar is done for the night. He finishes with figures of 4-0-26-2.

Slows it up nicely, full and turning away, outside off, Donovan Ferreira lunges to play at it. The ball spins away and goes past the outside edge. There was not much interest from the bowler but Jonny Bairstow seemed interested and Sam Curran has taken the review. There is nothing on UltraEdge and Punjab lose their review.

Fires it in, full and on off, Donovan Ferreira drives it off the front foot to cover.

Rajasthan opt for their Impact Player. It is Donovan Ferreira who walks in with the bat now. It is Dhruv Jurel who sits out for him.

OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! The googly has done the trick for Rahul Chahar! A soft dismissal and Rajasthan slip further. Dishes out the googly and keeps the length short, on off and middle, Rovman Powell rocks back in his crease and tries to push it down the ground. He fails to pick the googly and plays the shot way in front of his body. The ball comes on slower than Powell anticipated and he ends up chipping it back to the bowler. Chahar reacts quickly and completes the catch over his head to his right.

Slower and shorter, on the off-stump line, Rovman Powell goes back in his crease and has to check his shot as the ball sticks in the surface. Defends it back to the bowler.

This is flat and short, around off, Riyan Parag gets on the back foot and cuts it to deep point for a single.

Takes pace off slightly and bowls it on a short of a length, on off, Rovman Powell taps it in front of point and sets off for the run, only to be sent back by Parag.

Delivers it on a back of a length, on off, Rovman Powell gets on his toes and stabs it down in front of cover.

FOUR! Wow, what a way to get off the mark! Curran pitches it up, outside off, Rovman Powell gets his weight on the front foot and plays it right under his eyeline. Drives it to the left of cover and beats deep point to his right. Powell gets going with a boundary. 100 comes up for Rajasthan.

Rovman Powell comes in at number 7.

OUT! CAUGHT! Sam Curran lets out a big roar! Dhruv Jurel could not have picked the fielder there any better. A golden duck for Jurel. Switches to around the wicket and hits the deck hard, on off, Dhruv Jurel walks across his stumps and looks to employ the short-arm jab. The ball hits him on the upper half of the bat and lobs tamely towards mid-wicket where Harpreet Brar takes the simplest of catches to his right. Rajasthan have now lost half their side.

Takes pace off and bowls it fuller, on middle, Riyan Parag turns this in front of short fine leg and calls Dhruv Jurel through for a quick single.

FOUR! Quality shot! This is on a back of a length, on off, Riyan Parag waits on it and plays it late to get the placement right. Cuts it to the left of backward point and beats the diving fielder in the deep for a boundary.

Dhruv Jurel comes in at number 6.

OUT! TAKEN! Ravichandran Ashwin holes out! Just as he looked to be getting into his groove, he perishes. Arshdeep Singh has his first wicket of the night and as we have seen so often, a break in play has brought about a wicket. Bowls it from over the wicket and angles it across, on a length, outside off, Ravichandran Ashwin stays leg side of the ball and shapes up to carve it square on the off side. Ends up hitting it straight down the throat of deep point where Shashank Singh does the resst.

Leg bye! Take pace off and serves it on a good length, on off and middle, Riyan Parag looks to work it across the line but gets beaten on the inside edge. Gets hit on the unprotected area on the right thigh and the batters cross as the ball rolls on the off side. Half a shout by Arshdeep but the ball looked to be going down leg. Parag looks in a bit of pain and the physio is out to attend to him.

FOUR! Width on offer and Parag cashes in! Arshdeep errs in line and bowls it on a length, Riyan Parag frees his arms and latches onto the width. Cracks the cut in front of square on the off side for a boundary.

Lands it on a length, on off, Ravichandran Ashwin dabs it square from the crease to deep point for a single.

Angling away from the batter, full and outside off, Ravichandran Ashwin tries to use the pace by opening the bat face but fails to connect. A muted appeal by Jonny Bairstow behind the wicket but there was not much interest from the rest.

Arshdeep serves it full and outside off, Riyan Parag drives it square to deep point for a single.

Change. The biggest over forces Sam Curran to try something new. He bring back Arshdeep Singh for his third.

FOUR! Just the over Rajasthan were after. 17 runs off it. Has that maximum injected a spark in Ashwin? This is full again, on middle and leg, Ravichandran Ashwin backs away and lofts it over extra cover and beats long off to his left for another boundary.

FOUR! Smartly done! A maximum followed by a boundary. Fuller and quicker, on off and middle, Ravichandran Ashwin changes his stance and switch hits it over backward point for four runs.

SIX! Ravichandran Ashwin finally gets one away! Loops it up, slower through the air, full and on off, Ravichandran Ashwin backs away and clears his front leg to slog it towards the deep mid-wicket fence for a maximum.

This is flat and short, on the pads, Riyan Parag tucks it to deep mid-wicket for one.

Another tossed up delivery, full and at the stumps, Ravichandran Ashwin makes room to go inside out but ends up playing it straight to long off. They cross.

Tosses it up, right up to the batter, on off, Riyan Parag hacks it off the bottom half of the bat to long on for a single.

Length delivery, on off and middle, Riyan Parag turns this one through square leg and retains the strike with a single. A better over for Rajasthan, 10 runs off it. Need more of these to get to a competitive total.

Takes pace off but keeps the length full, on off, Ravichandran Ashwin knocks it down with a straight bat to long off for one more run.

At 140.4 kph, full and on middle, Riyan Parag presses forward and flicks it through square leg for one.

WIDE! Slides down leg, on a length, Riyan Parag misses the tickle. Wide given.

FOUR! Crunched! Angling in with an upright seam, on a back of a length, on off, Riyan Parag slaps it hard and along the ground to the left of cover for a much-needed boundary.

This is on a hard length, around off, Ravichandran Ashwin stands tall and punches it to deep cover for a single.

Comes back into the attack and bowls it on a good length, around off, Riyan Parag dabs it wide of backward point and gets to the other end.

Short, outside off. Parag cuts it towards point for a single. Punjab continue to do a magnificent job with the ball.

Riyan Parag tries to slog-sweep this full ball away from outside off, but it catches the inner half.

Pushed through quicker, on off. Ashwin pushes it to sweeper cover for one more.

Fuller one, on leg. Parag clips it into mid-wicket for one.

Leg-spinner this time, outside off. Ashwin reaches out and punches it to point for a single.

Flatter one, on middle and leg. Riyan Parag stays back and clips it into mid-wicket for one.

Strategic break! Punjab have started well with the ball and have not given much away to the Rajasthan batters. Whether it has been Nathan Ellis, Harshal Patel, or Rahul Chahar, all three have strung dots, and the pressure has taken its toll on the opposition. Rajasthan have lost their top three without many runs on the board. The onus will primarily be on Riyan Parag to inject life into his side's innings on a surface that does not look like a high-scoring one and looks to be on the slower side.

Floated and full, on off. Riyan Parag shuffles and flicks it into the leg side for one.

Quicker and fuller, on the pads. Parag flicks it gently towards deep mid-wicket. The batters are quick between the wickets and they end up with a couple.

Darted on the pads. Ashwin clips it to deep mid-wicket for one.

An arm ball, on the pads. Ashwin goes for the sweep but it flies off the top-edge. Towards short fine and it lands safely. Two runs taken.

Floated and full, on off. Ashwin blocks it away.

FOUR! EDGY! Rilee Rossouw with a valiant effort in the deep but goes down in vain. Quicker and fuller, on middle. Ravichandran Ashwin gets it behind square on the leg side off the inside edge.

It will be spin from both ends as Harpreet Brar comes on from the other end.

Fires it in full, on off, Ravichandran Ashwin gets his bat down and knocks it to wide long off for one.

Full and on off. Ashwin stabs it to point but for none.

Quicker and fuller, around off. Ravichandran Ashwin prods and tries to defend it out but gets beaten in the process by the away turn.

Shorter, outside off, turning away. Ravichandran Ashwin looks to chase it but gets beaten.

A promotion for Ravichandran Ashwin as he comes in at number 5.

OUT! CAUGHT! Rahul Chahar comes into the attack and shines straightaway. Tom Kohler-Cadmore, the set batter has holed out this time. A huge wicket for Punjab, and even though they are not in contention of qualifying, they are making sure to not go down without a fight. It is a floated delivery, full and on leg. Tom Kohler-Cadmore gets low, and goes for the slog sweep. The ball travels towards long on but only to find Jitesh Sharma in the deep.

Flights it up, on off. This one just holds in the deck. One run taken as Riyan Parag tucks it into mid-wicket.

First look at spin as Rahul Chahar comes into the attack.

Shorter this time, outside off. Tom Kohler-Cadmore cuts it towards backward point but the fielder there makes a sharp stop. A successful over from Nathan Ellis comes to an end.

Riyan Parag gets off the mark instantly here. He works this full ball to mid on for one.

The local boy, Riyan Parag, walks out to bat now.

OUT! CAUGHT! Nathan Ellis and Harshal Patel do a wonderful job in tandem. Increase the dot ball rate and that induces a false shot from Sanju Samson. The Rajasthan skipper has to walk back now. It is a short ball, outside off. Sanju Samson stays back and looks to cut it away but hits it straight into the hands of Rahul Chahar who is situated at point.

Pitched up, outside off. Samson thumps it to mid off but finds the fielder there.

Nathan Ellis goes for the yorker this time, on leg stump. Tom Kohler-Cadmore flicks it into the leg side for one.

Fuller one, angled into the pads. Samson clips it into the vacant region at mid-wicket and crosses.

Incredible comeback from Harshal Patel after being taken for a boundary on the very first delivery. After that he did not even allow Tom Kohler-Cadmore to get off the strike. Fuller one, outside off. Tom Kohler-Cadmore gets it to point off the outside edge. 5 dots on the trot to end the over.

Fuller one, on middle and leg. Tom Kohler-Cadmore defends it out watchfully.

Slowie, but a full toss, on the body. TKC fails to pick it up and only manages to tuck it to mid-wicket.

Swing and a miss! Harshal Patel rolls his fingers over this one, and lands it full and outside off. Tom Kohler-Cadmore looks to smack it down the park but misses.

Back of a length, outside off. Tom Kohler-Cadmore stabs it to backward point but straight to the fielder.

FOUR! New bowler, no problem for Tom Kohler-Cadmore. He is a demon when it comes to T20 cricket. He is surely making a solid statement here. It is way too full, on off. Tom Kohler-Cadmore hangs back and drills it past the bowler for a cracking boundary.

Attacks the stumps with a full delivery, Tom Kohler-Cadmore clears his front leg and goes for a hack across the line. Gets an inside edge that dribbles towards short fine leg for one. A tidy start by Ellis, just 3 runs off it.

Good-length delivery, at pace, on off, Tom Kohler-Cadmore drives it on the up but can't get it past cover.

Takes pace off and goes into the wicket, on off, Tom Kohler-Cadmore fails to pick the change of pace and goes through his pull shot early and fails to connect.

Risky single! Full again, around off, Sanju Samson drives it without much timing to the right of short cover and sets off for the run. Jitesh Sharma slides and picks it up cleanly. Jitesh fires in a slightly wayward throw that allows Samson to make his ground at the bowling end. The Rajasthan skipper would have been in trouble had the throw hit.

Pitches it up, on off, Sanju Samson knocks it with a straight bat to mid off.

In the air....but safe! Starts from over the wicket and bowls it on a good length, around off, Tom Kohler-Cadmore stays deep in his crease and swings to go downtown. Slices it off the bottom half of the bat but luckily for him, he manages to clear the back tracking Jitesh Sharma at cover. They cross.

On the off-stump line and pulls the length back does Arshdeep, Sanju Samson dabs it towards backward point.

Length delivery, sliding on the pads, Sanju Samson flicks it straight to mid-wicket.

FOUR! Lovely shot! Lands it on a good length, on off, Sanju Samson lets the ball come to him and angles the bat face to punch it through covers for four more runs. Samson brings up 500 runs in this edition of the Indian T20 League. First time Samson has crossed the 500-run mark in his Indian T20 League career.

Beaten! Angling away, on a back of a length, on off, Sanju Samson pokes at the delivery and gets beaten on the outside edge.

FOUR! Nicely done! On a shortish length, over middle and leg, Sanju Samson rides the bounce well and pulls it aerially but to the right of deep square leg for a boundary.

Direct hit but Samson is well in! This is on a back of a length, on off, Sanju Samson shapes up to push it down the ground. Gets an outside edge that races past short third. Nathan Ellis at deep backward point, runs around and cuts it off. Hits the stumps at the batting end but Samson is home by then. Two runs taken.

Switches to around the wicket and hurls it on a fullish length, on middle, Tom Kohler-Cadmore makes room and digs it out towards cover.

Length delivery, on middle and leg, Tom Kohler-Cadmore does not move his front foot much and clips it towards mid-wicket but can't get it past the fielder.

Bowls the back-of-the-hand slower delivery, on a length, on middle, Tom Kohler-Cadmore reads it well and watchfully taps it back to Curran.

Keeps it at the stumps, on a hard length, Tom Kohler-Cadmore pushes it with a straight bat back to the bowler.

SIX! BOOM! Tom Kohler-Cadmore with the first maximum of the night! Bowls it on a short of a good length, just outside off, Tom Kohler-Cadmore stays put and picks up the length early. Hits across the line and tonks it over wide long on for a biggie.

Honing in at the stumps from over the wicket, on a length, Tom Kohler-Cadmore covers the line of the ball and plays it back to the bowler.

FOUR! Shot! Pitched up slightly by Arshdeep, on off and middle, Sanju Samson extends his arms and lets his hands flow into the shot. Drives it back past the bowler and beats both mid off and mid on for a boundary.

Edged but it drops just short! Serves it on a back of a length, on off, Sanju Samson waits on the back foot and pushes at the delivery. He does so with soft hands and therefore, the outside edge drops just short of Jonny Bairstow who went for it with his right glove diving low to his right.

Tucks the batter up for room by banging into the deck, Tom Kohler-Cadmore swivels in his crease and controls the pull to hit it down to deep backward square leg for one.

Fuller in length and shaping in nicely, on middle and leg, Tom Kohler-Cadmore gets his bat out in front and knocks it straight to mid on.

Going across the right-hander, at 130.8 kph, Tom Kohler-Cadmore presents a straight bat to defend but does well not to go chasing at the delivery. The ball zips past the outside edge of his bat.

Begins on a hard length, around off, Sanju Samson rides the bounce and steers it down to deep third for a single.

Arshdeep Singh to share the new ball.

FOUR! Tom Kohler-Cadmore is up and running in the Indian T20 League! Full and swinging into the pads by Curran, Tom Kohler-Cadmore waits on it and helps it away off his pads. The ball races down to the fine leg fence for a boundary. End of an eventful first over.

Too straight, on the pads, full as well, Sanju Samson clips it off his pads to deep backward square leg and gets off the mark with a single.

Sanju Samson comes in at number 3.

OUT! DRAGGED ON! The Punjab skipper wins the battle against Jaiswal and lets the latter know! No foot movement from the southpaw and he pays the ultimate price. Serves it on a length, in the channel on off, Yashasvi Jaiswal does not move his feet much and goes for the drive away from his body. He plays at it tentatively and the inward movement leads to his downfall. Gets an inside edge that clatters back into the leg stump.

Fuller in length and attacks the stumps does Curran, Yashasvi Jaiswal shapes up to go back over the bowler's head initially but adjusts well to the inward angle and pushes it down to mid on.

Drags his length back and bowls it closer to the off-stump line, Yashasvi Jaiswal hangs back and stabs it along the ground to point.

FOUR! BANG! Yashasvi Jaiswal has arrived in Guwahati! Curran starts from over the wicket and offers width on off, on a length, a hint of away movement, Yashasvi Jaiswal frees his arms and smacks it between cover and mid off for a boundary to get going.

The game is set to begin. The Punjab players stride out and take the field. Followed by Tom Kohler-Cadmore and Yashasvi Jaiswal who walk out to open for Rajasthan. Sam Curran gets the new ball in hand. Here we go...

Sam Curran, the captain of Punjab is in for a chat. States that the most important thing is to play as a spoilsport now and for pride as well. Hopes to get two points from this game and take some pride. Informs that there was a lot of good cricket bring played by the boys, but they missed out on taking the advantage. Adds that there are a few changes to the side. Nathan Ellis gets his first game of the season, even Harpreet Brar is back in the side.

The captain of Rajasthan, Sanju Samson, says that they will bat first. States that this is kind of a second home for them. Adds that a few of the guys have been waiting here for the last 2-3 days to check for dew, but there has not been much dew, so they want to bat first. Tells that the team has been doing really great. Shares that the mood in the camp is a bit more relaxed after last night's result. Informs that Tom Kohler-Cadmore comes in for Jos Buttler and Donovan Ferreira might come in as the Impact Player later.

Impact players nominated by Punjab - Ashutosh Sharma, Vidwath Kaverappa, Tanay Thyagarajan, Rishi Dhawan, Harpreet Singh.

Punjab (Playing XI) - Prabhsimran Singh, Jonny Bairstow (WK), Rilee Rossouw, Shashank Singh, Jitesh Sharma (In for Ashutosh Sharma), Sam Curran (C), Harpreet Brar (In for Vidwath Kaverappa), Harshal Patel, Nathan Ellis (In for Liam Livingstone), Rahul Chahar, Arshdeep Singh.

Impact players nominated by Rajasthan -  Tanush Kotian, Keshav Maharaj, Nandre Burger, Kuldeep Sen, Donovan Ferreira.

Rajasthan (Playing XI) - Yashasvi Jaiswal, Tom Kohler-Cadmore (On debut) (In for Jos Buttler), Sanju Samson (C/ WK), Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Rovman Powell (In for Shubham Dubey), Ravichandran Ashwin, Trent Boult, Sandeep Sharma, Avesh Khan, Yuzvendra Chahal.

TOSS - The coin goes up and lands in favour of Rajasthan. Sanju Samson informs that they will BAT first.

PITCH REPORT - Deep Dasgupta and WV Raman are near the deck. He starts by informing that this is the 13th venue of the season, the most in any edition of the Indian T20 League. Shares that this is traditionally a high-scoring venue. States that the square boundaries are 60 and 63 metres long, with the straight boundary being 73 metres long. He says that the average first-inning score of the two games played last season in Guwahati was 198. WV Raman says that this is a black soil pitch, and it is rolled in nicely. He expects a lot of runs to be scored on this wicket. Dasgupta adds that even though this wicket looks dry and has a few cracks, it will play much better than it looks. Raman says that although the last two games played here last season saw the team batting first win on both occasions, Australia chased down 223 here last year against India. Dasgupta opines that it should not matter much whether you bat first or second on this surface.

On the other hand, Punjab have once again failed to qualify for the playoffs, continuing a ten-season trend. The early loss of Shikhar Dhawan significantly impacted their campaign, and now Liam Livingstone and Kagiso Rabada have returned home due to injuries. This likely marks the last game of the season for Jonny Bairstow and stand-in captain Sam Curran, who will want to finish on a high note. The team will rely on Prabhsimran Singh, Rilee Rossouw, and their finds of the season, Shashank Singh and Ashutosh Sharma, for runs. With Rabada unavailable, Nathan Ellis might make his first appearance of the season, joining Arshdeep Singh and Harshal Patel in the pace attack. Will it be Punjab who get the two points and lift themselves off the bottom? Let's find out. Toss and team news coming up in a bit.

Rajasthan, after winning 8 of their first 9 games, have hit a rough patch with three consecutive losses. Currently placed 2nd in the standings, Sanju Samson and his team are eager to return to winning ways and hope that a shift to Guwahati will change their fortunes. The Men in Pink will be without Jos Buttler, who has left for England's T20I series against Pakistan starting next week. In his absence, the run-scoring burden falls on Yashasvi Jaiswal, Riyan Parag, and Sanju Samson. Although Yuzvendra Chahal has been expensive at times, he has taken wickets at crucial junctures. A strong showing from the pace trio of Trent Boult, Sandeep Sharma, and Avesh Khan is crucial for Rajasthan's success moving forward.

Hello and a warm welcome, folks! The 2024 Indian T20 League has made its way to Guwahati, the second home venue of Rajasthan, where they will square off against Punjab in match number 65. A clash of two teams with divergent objectives awaits us at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in this final week of the league stage. With last night's victory for Delhi, Rajasthan have joined Kolkata in the playoffs and now aim for a top-two finish, whereas Punjab are in their quest to avoid a wooden spoon this season.

... MATCH DAY ...

As the Indian T20 League 2024 is getting into the business end, only Kolkata has punched their ticket so far, getting that ‘Q’ to their name and leaving three spots open for the Playoffs. Five teams are scrapping it out for those coveted places. Match 65 will take place at the Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati, where Rajasthan will be hosting Punjab. It's the first game at this venue for the season and serves as a second home ground for Rajasthan. Delving into the hosts, Rajasthan has hit a roadblock lately after a dream run for most of the part of this edition. They have now lost three games on the trot and the latest against Chennai after posting a below-par total on the board which they couldn’t defend in the end. Thanks to their healthy NRR and eight wins, they’re still hovering in the Top 2 despite setbacks recently. Now that Jos Buttler is back on national duty, Rajasthan will feel his absence keenly, especially with the Playoffs drawing near. Yashasvi Jaiswal has been reliable at the top, but he'll have to step up even more without Buttler in the side. In-form Sanju Samson’s contributions will be more crucial at number 3. Meanwhile, Riyan Parag is having a stellar season with the bat after a couple of quieter ones. And so has Dhruv Jurel’s reliable hand in the middle order. In the bowling department, Trent Boult and Sandeep Sharma have been standout performers, but they need more support from players like Avesh Khan, Ashwin, and Yuzvendra Chahal. Chahal, in particular, has been a bit expensive with the ball in recent matches and will aim to take wickets and stem the runs as well. Meanwhile, it's game over for Punjab as they're officially out of the running, languishing at the bottom with only four wins. With just a couple of matches left, they'll be playing for pride, hoping to end their season on a high note by snagging victories in both games. To be fair to their part, Punjab did show some real fighting spirit throughout the season and offered great entertainment with some nail-biting thrillers, as always. It's just that they couldn't quite seal the deal in a few crucial games where they lost by thin margins, which could have really changed their position in the standings. Now that they're eliminated, Punjab would like to test their bench strength and play fearlessly without any baggage. They have sorely missed the services of Shikhar Dhawan, the skipper, and opener, and his participation in the remaining games remains a mystery. Prabhsimran Singh, however, has displayed immaculate fearlessness with the bat. Additionally, players like Shashank Singh and Ashutosh Sharma have shown unreal range hitting with pure consistency, proving to be a true revelation for the side. However, the main issue lingering for Punjab is the underwhelming returns from its overseas contingent. With Liam Livingstone already joining England for his national duties, Jonny Bairstow and Sam Curran will also depart soon. Furthermore, the bowling unit has been a bit scratchy and needs improvements. Arshdeep Singh will be eyeing to get some wickets to his name before moving forward for the grand test in June. Will Rajasthan get back to winning ways, or will Punjab upset the hosts and kind of play a spoilsport? Whom are you supporting?