‘Picture ab bhi baki hai’ – Fans react as Rajasthan Royals defeat Punjab Kings by 4 wickets in IPL 2023 clash

After losing the last fixture against Delhi Capitals (DC) by 15 runs, Punjab Kings (PBKS) locked horns with Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, in Dharamshala on Friday, May 19. Royals won the match by four wickets and Devdutt Padikkal was awarded the Player of the Match for his brilliant match-winning performance.

If we talk about the encounter, RR skipper, Sanju Samson won the toss and elected to bowl first. The home side, while batting first, scored a total of 187 runs with the loss of five wickets. The highest scorer of the side was star England all-rounder, Sam Curran, who scored an unbeaten knock of 49 runs from 31 balls with four fours and two sixes in his innings.

Their wicketkeeper-batter, Jitesh Sharma scored crucial 44 runs in 28 balls with three fours and three sixes in his innings. In the end, Shahrukh Khan played a quickfire knock of 41 runs from just 23 balls which included four fours and two sixes in his innings.

I thought I might not make it: Devdutt Paddikkal

The pick of the bowlers for the visitors was star India pacer, Navdeep Saini, who snapped three wickets in his spell of four overs where he conceded 40 runs in his spell. One wicket each was grabbed by Trent Boult and Adam Zampa in their respective spell where they conceded 35 runs and 26 runs respectively.

RR chased down the target of 188 runs with two balls to spare. The highest scorer of the side was Padikkal, who scored 51 runs off 30 balls which included five fours and three sixes in his innings. Young, Yashashvi Jaiswal scored 50 runs in 36 balls with eight fours in his innings. In the end, Shimron Hetmyer played a quickfire knock of 46 runs from just 28 balls which included four fours and three sixes in his innings.

“Apart from the net sessions, my best hit. Coming into the season I was feeling good. But it didn’t pan out the way I thought. Every game as a cricketer you want to win it for your side. To be honest, it has been that kind of a season. I have been all over the batting order. I need to learn batting at every position. At the start of the season, I thought I might not make it,” the left-hand batter was quoted as saying in the post-match presentation.

Here’s how fans reacted on Rajasthan Royals victory over Punjab Kings in the Indian Premier League 2023:

https://twitter.com/TusharB93/status/1659618837292285953

Star toh hai hi tumhaare liye kyunki NRR toh theek kiya nahi which will favour RCB 😹😹

Haina @gagori_uin @Aditi_i0 @munnihyderabad ?

— Nishant (@NishantTweets30) May 19, 2023

https://twitter.com/ritikmishrabetu/status/1659618902291402752

Punjab has totally lost it😆😆😆last over of a crucial match given to a leggie

— Sankhadeep Saha (@sankhadeeps9) May 19, 2023

Bruh won the match single handedly doesnt even need the bowl or bat for this, pic.twitter.com/yyqwIoDFz5

— Vineet Ch. (@hunych17) May 19, 2023

The real El Classico of IPL

— Yash Wardhan (@wardhantweets) May 19, 2023

Hetmyer is the star

— Quasar (@Mujtabaumair1) May 19, 2023

Finally RR got a finisher and its not Riyan Parag 😁🤭🤪

— Ayush Anand (@crictopher014) May 19, 2023