‘Hetmyer finishes it off in style’: Rajasthan inch closer to playoffs after comprehensive win over Punjab
Jos Buttler (Image Source : BCCI/IPL)
Match 52 of the Indian T20 League 2022 saw Punjab face Rajasthan at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. The fans remain witness to another high-scoring contest as the two teams looked to consolidate their claim to the top four.
Punjab won the toss and decided to set a target for the opposition. Punjab had a blazing start to the innings as Jonny Bairstow looked in good touch for the first time in the tournament. Shikhar Dhawan (12 of 16) was the first wicket to fall for Punjab in the sixth over of the innings. The team’s score at this stage of 47 runs and they were scoring at an impressive rate. Bhanuka Rajapaksa joined Bairstow in the middle and the duo stitched a partnership of 42 runs for the second wicket. Punjab was progressing steadily and was poised at 89 for 1 in 10 overs. Yuzvendra Chahal struck for the first time at this stage dismissing Rajapaksa (27 of 18). Mayank Agarwal came out to bat at number four and took the innings forward with Bairstow. The opener of the Punjab team completed his half-century before being dismissed in the 15th over of the innings. Bairstow scored 56 runs off 40 deliveries at a decent strike rate hitting 8 fours and one six. Notably, Mayank (15 of 13) was dismissed before Bairstow by Chahal.
The scoring rate of Punjab got a boost by the cameos of Jitesh Sharma (38 of 18) and Liam Livingstone (22 of 14). The Men in Red managed to reach an above-par total of 189 runs for the loss of 5 wickets from their 20 overs. Yuzvendra Chahal once again weaved his magic as he picked up three wickets for 28 runs from his four overs.
Rajasthan’s reply to the total began blazingly. Jos Buttler was tearing the bowlers and they crossed the 40 runs mark within the first three overs. It was Kagiso Rabada who drew the first blood for Punjab dismissing Buttler (30 of 16) in the fourth over. The scoring rate or the momentum of Rajasthan did not however drop after this. Sanju Samson continued from where Buttler left and played some classy shots. He scored a blazing 23 off 12 deliveries and kept his team ahead in the chase. He was dismissed in the ninth over of the innings by Rishi Dhawan. Yashashvi Jaiswal was however continuing steadily at one end and playing the role of an anchor.
As the 15th over of the innings concluded Rajasthan was stationed at 143 runs for the loss of 3 wickets. Yashasvi Jaiswal played a brilliant knock of 68 runs form 41 deliveries before being dimissed by Arshdeep Singh in the 15th over. Devdutt Padikkal was finding it difficult to get going in the middle and it was on Shimron Hetmyer to carry the momentum forward. The West Indian left-hander played a brilliant little cameo and ensured Rajasthan reach the target comfortably. In the 18th over Hetmyer picked up 16 runs of Rabada and nearly sealed the deal for his team. Although Arshdeep bowled a brilliant 19th over conceding 3 runs and picking up Devdutt Padikkal (31 of 32) , Hetmyer held his nerves and took his team to victoryin the final over. He remained unbeaten on 32 of 16 deliveries and Rajathan won the match by 6 wickets with two balls remaining. It was their seventh win in the tournament while Punjab lost their sixth match in 11 matches.
Here is how Twitter reacted during the match.
https://twitter.com/PunjabKingsIPL/status/1522908616210419717?s=20&t=UJeFfrnG3Oei1LBo4Uo0jA
Bairstow ❌ Bhanuka ❌ Mayank ❌ Chahal delivers yet again for Royals #PBKSvRR #IPL2022
For more sports news please visit https://t.co/UClxBrbs62#cricket #t20 #t20cricket #ipl #yuzendrachahal #wickets #rr #rajasthanroyals #jaipur #india #Wolf777News
Content by @ESPNcricinfo pic.twitter.com/iRmKICYBvH
— Wolf777News (@Wolf777news) May 7, 2022
https://twitter.com/gauravkapur/status/1522921997738872833?s=20&t=UJeFfrnG3Oei1LBo4Uo0jA
Yashaswi Jaiswal seems to have rediscovered himself today #RRvsPBKS
— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) May 7, 2022
https://twitter.com/parthiv9/status/1522927663148544000?s=20&t=UJeFfrnG3Oei1LBo4Uo0jA
Padikkal is playing ODI forcing the opposite guy to play big shots. Great performance by Jaiswal today#RRvsPBKS #RR #IPL2022 #PBKSvsRR #PBKSvRR
— Rekha U (@RekhaU) May 7, 2022
https://twitter.com/AmrikSingh_14/status/1522935785418379266?s=20&t=UJeFfrnG3Oei1LBo4Uo0jA
You need 5 proper bowlers even to defend 190 , Can't do it with 3 full time bowlers #rrvspbks #PBKSvRR
— Nimit (@Aageyse_Left) May 7, 2022
It’s been 30 matches running. Punjab Kings haven’t been able to put together 2 wins in a row. Most inconsistent joke of a side for a reason.
Playoff chances all but dead from here. Will finish their usual 5/6th position.
The most predictable franchise at #IPL2022 #PBKSvRR
— Shubham Dhingra (@SDhingra27) May 7, 2022
https://twitter.com/cricbuzz/status/1522938428165607425?s=20&t=UJeFfrnG3Oei1LBo4Uo0jA
Who made mayank the captain of the team. Such a poor captain cant even make decisions! Sping bowler in front of hetmyar!! #PBKSvRR
— Preet (@JazzzSingh) May 7, 2022
Same story for punjab kings, choked in bowling #PBKSvRR
— SAHEZ (@sahez_22) May 7, 2022
https://twitter.com/rajasthanroyals/status/1522938889127837696?s=20&t=UJeFfrnG3Oei1LBo4Uo0jA
https://twitter.com/IrfanPathan/status/1522938635212886016?s=20&t=UJeFfrnG3Oei1LBo4Uo0jA
https://twitter.com/ReemaMalhotra8/status/1522938182978867201?s=20&t=UJeFfrnG3Oei1LBo4Uo0jA
Yashaswi Jaiswal seems to have rediscovered himself today #RRvsPBKS
— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) May 7, 2022
A big win for @rajasthanroyals with their young guns firing. @yashasvi_j and the spin master @yuzi_chahal plying his craft brilliantly. @IamSanjuSamson keeping calm with @ashwinravi99 and @josbuttler experience alongside. #Royals #IPL #2022Royals
— Alan Wilkins (@alanwilkins22) May 7, 2022
