A nail-biting clash between the Punjab Kings and Rajasthan Royals unfolded. It was a heart-stopping encounter. The Royals secured a tense three-wicket triumph in Match 27 of IPL 2024. This thriller took place at Mohali’s Mullanpur Stadium, on April 13th, Saturday.
PBKS, desperate for victory after consecutive losses, endured a shaky start. Despite Shikhar Dhawan’s absence due to injury, their innings never gained momentum. On Chandigarh’s two-paced track, Keshav Maharaj (2/23) troubled Punjab’s batters. However, Ashutosh Sharma’s blistering 31(16) cameo helped PBKS reach 147/8.
Rajasthan, however, began their chase carefully, scoring 50 runs in 43 balls. However, none of their top-order batsmen converted their starts, with Yashasvi Jaiswal succumbing for 39 runs.
Punjab, on the other hand, kept delivering blows, reducing RR from 82/1 to 115/5. With RR needing ten off the final over, Shimron Hetmyer delivered a match-winning cameo of 10-ball 27* to propel RR over the line.
With the very exciting battle over, here are three important records that were broken during the PBKS versus RR encounter.
1. Kagiso Rabada bowls his most economical spell for PBKS
Kagiso Rabada bowled tremendously well in the second innings. He delivered accurate lengths constantly. He dismissed Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sanju Samson with his wicket-taking deliveries. Overall, his spell’s figures were 2/18.
His economy rate on Saturday was an impressive 4.5, making it his most economical bowling performance for Punjab in circumstances when he bowled his complete quota of four overs. His previous best was 5.3 against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in IPL 2022.
2. PBKS is the most unsuccessful IPL team at home venues
Punjab Kings have relocated their home matches to a different ground this season. After disappointing performances at the IS Bindra Stadium, the franchise opted for a change of venue – the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur.
However, their most recent loss to Rajasthan has given them an unpleasant record. With their three-wicket defeat, PBKS became the side with the most defeats at home (including neutral sites) in IPL history.
It was Punjab’s 73rd loss, surpassing the Delhi Capitals, who had suffered 72 defeats at home or neutral grounds.
3. Worst strike rate for an RR opener
It was an unexpected choice by Rajasthan to deploy Tanush Kotian just as an opener. The rookie replaced Jos Buttler at the top of the order despite being an off-spinner who normally bats as a tailender for his state team Mumbai.
The 25-year-old made an unremarkable debut. While he made several solid shots, he battled with timing and was disqualified after a difficult 31-ball 24. His strike rate of 77.42 is presently the lowest for an RR starter in IPL history (minimum 30 balls faced per innings).
The previous low was 78.13, when Rahul Dravid scored 25 from 32 against RCB in 2012.
