PBKS beat RR by 5 runs in a high-scoring thriller at Barsapara Cricket Stadium
The eighth match of IPL 2023 saw two teams that had started the season on a high note. The Rajasthan Royals beat Sunrisers Hyderabad while Punjab Kings went past Kolkata Knight Riders in their respective season opener. The match was played at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati, which is Rajasthan Royals’ second home ground.
Sanju Samson-led RR won in a dominating fashion courtesy of their batting, which decimated the opposition in the powerplay itself. The top order, which consisted of Jos Buttler, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Sanju Samson, smashed half-centuries and also crossed the 100 run mark in just 7.4 Overs, which was their quickest in the Cash Rich League. Their premier bowler, Trent Boult, too started in an emphatic manner, dismissing two of their top three in the first over of the innings. Likes of Jason Holder, KM Asif, and Ravi Ashwin kept things tight, while Spin King Yuzvendra Chahal kept picking wickets at regular intervals. The Purple cap holder of the previous season scalped four wickets conceding 17.
The Rajasthan Royals bowling unit had to be on their guard going against a Punjab Kings lineup that was terrific against KKR the other day. All of the seven batters that got a chance to take the field got off to a start and most importantly played according to their roles. Bhanuka Rajapaksa top-scored with 50 at a strike rate of 156 while Skipper Shikhar Dhawan compiled 40, playing the sheet anchor role. While defending 191, Left Arm Pacer Arshdeep Singh provided early breakthroughs, while Spinners Rahul Chahar, Sikandar Raza, and Brar bowled economic spells. PBKS would also be excited to welcome Kagiso Rabada and Liam Livingstone, who would strengthen both their batting and bowling against a tough opponent.
In the 24 clashes between them, Rajasthan Royals had won 14 while 10 matches had been clinched by the Punjab Kings. The pitch seemed like a batting belter, with little cover of live grass and some dryness on the wicket. Players with the ability to swing the ball would prove to be effective. Likes of Boult, Arshdeep could be in business.
Rajasthan Royals won the toss and elected to field first, with Sanju Samson saying, “We would like to bowl first here. Expecting some dew later on in the night. We will use the opportunity to bowl first and take advantage. It is a great thought by the franchise to have a game here to promote cricket in Assam. Totally Loving it here. The players have also gotten used to the conditions. We are going in with the same side tonight.” Shikhar Dhawan, Punjab Kings skipper, said, “We all know that dew is a factor later on, In fact, there is already dew as you can see. We too wanted to bowl first. It is alright, does not matter much. We are used to such conditions. Let’s take it day by day. Not putting too much pressure on myself and on the team. It is the process that matters the most. We are going in with the same eleven from the last game.”
Punjab Kings, after being sent into bat by Sanju Samson, came out all guns blazing. The openers got the team off to a flying start, smashing 63 runs in the powerplay. Prabhsimran Singh scored 60 off just 34 balls while the skipper Shikhar Dhawan, leading from the front, remained unbeaten on 86 off 56 balls. Holder was amongst wickets, and PBKS managed to successfully defend their target of 198 runs and emerged victorious by 5 runs. Prabhsimran Singh and Shikhar Dhawan played a significant role in helping their team reach this total. Prabhsimran scored a brilliant half-century, while Dhawan remained unbeaten on 86 off just 56 balls.
In response, RR’s top order consisting of Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ravi Ashwin, and Sanju Samson got off to a good start, but they lost wickets at regular intervals due to some brilliant bowling from Nathan Ellis. Sanju Samson top-scored with 42 off 25 balls at a strike rate of 168. However, a late partnership of 62 runs off 27 balls between Shimron Hetmyer and Dhruv Jurel almost got RR home. Hetmyer scored 36 from 18 balls, while Jurel remained not out on 32 from 15 balls. In the end, PBKS managed to hold their nerve and win the game by 5 runs.
After the match, RR skipper Sanju Samson praised his bowlers for restricting PBKS to 197 despite the latter getting off to a flying start. He also acknowledged that his team should have been better prepared for the dew that was present right from the start of the innings. On the other hand, PBKS skipper Shikhar Dhawan was pleased with his team’s batting effort and credited his bowlers for taking early wickets and restricting RR’s batsmen.
Overall, it was an exciting match between two teams that have started the season on a high note. The match had several highlights, including Prabhsimran Singh’s half-century, Shikhar Dhawan’s unbeaten 86, Nathan Ellis’ brilliant bowling performance, and the late partnership between Shimron Hetmyer and Dhruv Jurel that almost got RR over the line.
Looking ahead, both teams will be hoping to continue their winning momentum in their upcoming matches. RR will take on Chennai Super Kings in their next match, while PBKS will face Mumbai Indians. Both matches promise to be exciting, and fans can expect more high-quality cricket from these two teams.