Match 8 RR vs PBKS Highlights and Match Report: In an exhilarating encounter, the Punjab Kings emerged victorious against the Rajasthan Royals by a narrow margin of five runs in Match 8 of the TATA IPL 2023 at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati. Punjab’s captain, Shikhar Dhawan, played a captain’s knock with an unbeaten 86 off 56 deliveries, while Prabhsimran Singh provided an explosive start with his 60 off 34 balls. Nathan Ellis displayed a stellar performance, claiming four crucial wickets for Punjab, and Sam Curran held his nerve in the final over to secure the win for his team.
A rapid start
As per the Match 8 RR vs PBKS Highlights and Match Report, opting to bat first, Punjab got off to a rapid start with Prabhsimran Singh showcasing aggressive intent right from the beginning. Singh’s attacking innings included a six and a four off the first over bowled by Trent Boult. He continued to dominate the Rajasthan bowlers, hitting boundaries and sixes with ease. Dhawan, too, found his rhythm and contributed well-placed fours to the team’s total. Prabhsimran Singh completed his maiden IPL fifty in just 28 balls before being caught at long-off by a brilliant diving catch from Jos Buttler off the bowling of Jason Holder.
Setbacks and revival
According to the Match 8 RR vs PBKS Highlights and Match Report, Punjab faced a setback when Bhanuka Rajapaksa retired hurt after being struck on the hand by a delivery from Dhawan. Despite a brief slowdown in scoring, Jitesh Sharma and Dhawan revived the innings by going after Yuzvendra Chahal, hitting him for two fours and a six in one over. Dhawan continued his aggressive approach and reached fifty off 36 balls. However, Chahal eventually broke the partnership, dismissing Jitesh Sharma for 27.
Rajasthan returns
The Rajasthan Royals fought back in the middle overs, with Ravichandran Ashwin bowling impressively and claiming a crucial wicket. In light of Match 8 RR vs PBKS Highlights and Match Report, Punjab lost momentum, managing only 22 runs and losing two wickets in the 16th to 18th over phase. Dhawan, though, launched a counter-attack in the penultimate over, smashing a six and a four off KM Asif.
In the end, Punjab Kings posted a challenging total of 197/4 thanks to Dhawan’s unbeaten innings. Holder bowled a tight final over, conceding just seven runs and taking the wicket of Shahrukh Khan.
Troubled start
Chasing 198 for victory, the Rajasthan Royals faced an early setback as Ravichandran Ashwin was dismissed cheaply. As per the Match 8 RR vs PBKS Highlights and Match Report, Skipper Sanju Samson, however, displayed his batting prowess by hitting six and two fours in a single over off Arshdeep Singh. Buttler, after receiving a reprieve from a dropped catch, struck out and looked set for a big inning. But Arshdeep Singh struck again to remove Ashwin, who was caught at midfield without scoring.
Samson’s rescue efforts
Samson continued his aggressive approach, hitting consecutive fours off Harpreet Brar and then welcoming Nathan Ellis into the attack with two more fours. However, Ellis made an instant impact by dismissing Buttler for 19, caught and bowled off an inside edge. Despite the loss of wickets, Samson and Devdutt Padikkal stabilized the innings with a 34-run partnership.
Big wickets
As per the Match 8 RR vs PBKS Highlights and Match Report, Ellis returned to the attack and produced a stellar over, conceding just two runs and dismissing Samson for 42. Riyan Parag briefly released the pressure with boundaries, but Ellis struck again, cleaning up Padikkal and denting Rajasthan’s hopes.
Too late..!
With the required run rate climbing and 69 runs needed off 24 balls, Shimron Hetmyer and Dhruv Jurel launched a counter-attack, hitting sixes and fours to bring the equation down to 16 needed off the final over.
For more, check out Match 8 RR vs PBKS Highlights and Match Report.
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