New Delhi: Rajasthan were just one hit away from victory with 4 runs needed in the final over and two hard-hitters at the crease to get the job done, however, Karthik Tyagi managed to defend 4 runs off the last 6 balls and snatch the win. Took some great balls. From the jaws of defeat. Rajasthan defeated Punjab in the last over to register a thrilling two-run win over the KL Rahul-led side at the Dubai International Stadium on Tuesday.
It was followed by KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal, who shared a record 120-run partnership after taking five wickets from Arshdeep. This was the 5th 100-plus partnership in IPL between Rahul and Mayank. Royals have no one to blame but their poor fielding for the heartbreaking defeat as they missed out on dismissing the Punjab skipper thrice. It looked like Markram and Pooran had got the job done but Rajasthan pulled themselves back into the game by dodging Punjab by taking quick wickets.
Earlier, KL Rahul won the toss and invited Rajasthan to bat first. Punjab got off to a good start as both the openers Evin Lewis and Jaiswal did a great job to score some quick runs in the opening overs. Then came Lomror (43 off 17 balls) and clean bowled him to push the Punjab bowlers completely on the backfoot.
The 200-plus target at one point in the match seemed too easy for Rajasthan but Punjab did some sensational things, bowled some on-point yorkers and variations and conceded just 21 runs and took 6 wickets. Last 4 overs. Arshdeep was the pick of the Punjab bowlers as he returned to the pavilion with a five-wicket haul. Senior pacer Shami was the second star bowler to take three wickets for Punjab. Harpreet Brar and Ishan Porel took a wicket each.
Rajasthan Royals (Playing XI): Yashasvi Jaiswal, Evin Lewis, Sanju Samson(w/c), Liam Livingstone, Mahipal Lomror, Riyan Parag, Rahul Tewatia, Chris Morris, Mustafizur Rahman, Chetan Sakariya, Kartik Tyagi
Punjab Kings (Playing XI): KL Rahul (w/c), Mayank Agarwal, Aiden Markram, Nicholas Pooran, Deepak Hooda, Fabian Allen, Adil Rashid, Harpreet Brar, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Ishan Porel
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