Match Center

Right then, that is it from this game but next up, is another cracking doubleheader Sunday lined up in the 2024 Indian T20 League. First, it will be Kolkata taking on Lucknow at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata at 3.30 pm IST (10 am GMT). This will then be followed by the biggest clash as two five-time champions in the form of Mumbai and Chennai lock horns at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai at 7.30 pm IST (2 pm GMT). However, you can join us a lot sooner for the build-up of both of those games. Till then, take care and goodbye!

Shimron Hetmyer is the Player of the Match for his game-winning cameo at the end. Hetmyer says that it is all about practice and he does try to bat perfectly in the nets and then he tries to hit sixes. Adds that his role is a blessing and a curse as it can go either way but is happy to have got his side the win here. Mentions that he tries to take a couple of balls but after that, it was very clear and he tried to feed off Powell's energy at the other end. Mentions that even if he didn't get the boundary, he would have gone for the single and trusted Boult to get the winning run. Adds that it is all about doing things you need to do and ends by saying that he is just waiting for his family to get here.

Sanju Samson, the skipper of Rajasthan says they had a few funny incidents on the field but he is okay to see players running for the catch, he just wants to say that it is easy to catch with gloves. Adds that it was a funny game, this tie has produced quite some games and tells Punjab bowled well. Shares that Shimron Hetmyer has won many games for them, and he has the experience and the composure to finish the game. Reckons Tanush Kotian came in as an all-round and has been impressive in the nets and the thought was not to unsettle the line-up and with Jos Buttler ready for the next game, they wanted to try Kotian up the order. Mentions they cannot take this tournament for granted, the last match they played well but lost and today they were decent but won this game.

The Presentation ceremony...

Earlier in the game, Sanju Samson won the toss and opted to bowl first on a pitch that looked pristine for batting but batting proved to be somewhat difficult, especially early on. Rajasthan bowled well upfront as Trent Boult led the way and Avesh Khan also got into the wickets. However, it was the spin duo of Yuzvendra Chahal and Keshav Maharaj who really bossed proceedings in the middle phase and didn't let Punjab off the hook. A few batters did fightback which was led by Jitesh Sharma and then the likes of Liam Livingstone and Ashutosh Sharma got away a few big hits to take their side close to the 150 mark. In reply, it was a topsy-turvy game that saw fortunes change but in the end Rajasthan managed to keep their cool and get the win.

Rovman Powell is down for a quick chat. He says that it is important for them to get two points especially away from home and the guys played some good cricket today. On Shimron Hetmyer, he says that it was nice to see him get those boundaries at the end and they are West Indians and they are known for their boundaries. Mentions that he knew about his role and informs that Jos Buttler is recovering well and he should be back fit in a couple of days and adds that for him personally it is about staying patient and if he isn't playing which means the team is already doing well.

Sam Curran, the skipper of Punjab says the wicket was slightly slow. Adds that they didn't start well with the bat but the lower order did well. Tells they bowled well throughout the match and says there are a lot of positive signs. Shares they were short of runs but is happy with how they bowled and fielded. Reckons they adapted quickly to the pitch in quick three games at home but lost the last two matches by very small margins.

Punjab on the other hand will be distraught in the end as they did put themselves in a promising position heading into the final 4 overs but they couldn't close it out. They failed to pick up wickets up top but kept things fairly quiet and when the team needed something special, their most experienced bowler came in and delivered and that burst from Kagiso Rabada in the middle overs gave Punjab some momentum and they were able to build on it. The likes of Arshdeep Singh and Sam Curran got wickets at the death but Harshal Patel bowled the 18th over and conceded 14 runs which turned the tide back into the opposition's favor. Overall, they simply didn't have enough runs on the board.

Chasing a meager target of 148 runs, Rajasthan got off to a very steady start as the new opening pair of Yashasvi Jaiswal and debutant Tanush Kotian put on a 50-plus stand, the first from Rajasthan's opening pair this season but the visitors couldn't build on it. Kotian got out after a sluggish knock and then Sanju Samson tried to build another stand with Jaiswal. However, once Jaiswal got out, things started to fall apart and no batter could really take charge and get those boundaries. Just when things looked to be getting out of hand, Shimron Hetmyer came in and got those boundaries and a couple of hits from Rovman Powell also helped Rajasthan get back to winning ways and to the top of the table.

What an enthralling finish to the game and it was one of those low-scoring thrillers where neither side could bat at their best but Rajasthan just had enough depth in their batting to take them home. Shimron Hetmyer has been waiting all season for a chance to prove his worth and this time around, he didn't let his side down. Spare a thought for the Punjab who took the game so deep but it wasn't meant to be.

SIX! Shimron Hetmyer has done it. The pressure got big on Arshdeep Singh here. A full toss on the hips and Shimron Hetmyer just whacks it behind square leg for a biggie. Rajasthan vs Punjab always delivers! Always, always delivers. Rajasthan win by 3 wickets.

TWO MORE! Two runs needed in two. Short of a length and outside off. Shimron Hetmyer pulls it to deep mid-wicket. Sam Curran runs to his left from long on, a slight fumble and the batters take two.

SIX! Misses his length by A LOT! Pitches it up, on off. Shimron Hetmyer just tonks it down to long on and it goes flat for a maximum. One hit away now.

DOT AGAIN! 10 needed in 4 now. A widish yorker again, under pressure by Arshdeep Singh but nails the length. Shimron Hetmyer looks to drive but gets an inside edge onto the pads.

A DOT TO START! Mullanpur crowd pumping Arshdeep Singh here. Very full and outside off, A wide yorker actually. Shimron Hetmyer swings hard but misses. 10 runs needed in 5.

Trent Boult is the new man in but he will be at the non-striker's end for now. Arshdeep Singh to bowl the final over. Can he defend 9 runs and get his side an unlikely win?

OUT! GONE! Shimron Hetmyer might have just told Keshav Maharaj to try and go big. Maybe use this as a free hit. This is full and outside off but he holes out. Keshav Maharaj hits it hard but flat to long on where Liam Livingstone takes it. How important and impactful Ravichandran Ashwin used to be for Rajasthan at this kind of stage? He must be just hoping now for a victory watching from the dugout.