IPL24: Heytmer slams big hits to carry Rajasthan to nervy win over Punjab in a thriller

 

Rajasthan Royals returned to winning ways .  Sanju Samson's team defeated Punjab Kings at their home ground.  Rajasthan restricted Punjab to 147 runs due to the efficiency of the bowlers.  Shimron Hetmyer left the field winning the game despite being under pressure to chase runs.  As a result of this win, Rajasthan remained at the top of the points table with 10 points . 

 In the absence of Shikhar Dhawan due to injury, Sam Curran led Punjab in this match.  Batting first after losing the toss, Jonny Bairstow and Atharva Taide did not make a bright start.  But Abesh Khan gave Punjab the first shock in the power play.  He dismissed Atharva for 15 runs.

 Rajasthan bowlers took wickets at regular intervals even in the middle overs.  Bairstow (15) , Pravsimran Singh (10) , skipper Curran  (6) went cheaply .  Punjab was hoping that Shashank Singh would pull the team's reins in this match as well.  But he got out for 9 runs.

 Jitesh Sharma and Liam Livingstone formed a pair.  Jitesh got out after scoring 29 breezy runs.  Keshav Maharaj (2/23)and Yuzvendra Chahal kept Punjab at bay in the middle overs with tight bowling .  Kuldeep Sen and Avesh also took wickets.

 Livingstone, who came in to recover from injury, was run out for 21 runs.  It seemed that Punjab would not be able to score even 130 runs.  Ashutosh Sharma, who came in as an impact player, played a scintillating innings towards the end.  His catch was also dropped by Rajasthan.    In the end, Punjab's innings ended with 147 runs.  Ashutosh got out after scoring a breathtaking 31 runs off 16 balls with some big hits .

In the absence of Jos Buttler, Tanuj Kotian came to open for Rajasthan along with Yashaswi Jaiswal.  No wickets fell in the power play but the pace of runs was low.  Especially Tanush was scoring slowly.   43 runs came in 6 overs of power play.

 Livingstone gave Rajasthan the first blow.  He dismissed Tanuj for 24 runs.  Jaiswal started well but could not score big runs.  He was dismissed for 39 off Kagiso Rabada as he tried to upper cut and was caught at third man .  Captain Sanju Samson also did not get many runs  in this match.  Rajasthan was under some pressure when he was dismissed for 18 runs by Rabada. 

 43 runs were needed to win in the last four overs.  The responsibility of winning Rajasthan fell on the shoulders of Ryan Parag.  He hit a few big shots but couldn't hold on until the end.  Parag was dismissed by Arshdeep Singh for 23 runs.  Dhruv Jurel dismissed by Harshal Patel cheaply.  With wickets falling at regular intervals, Rajasthan's innings suffered repeated setbacks.

 West Indies batsmen Shimron Hetmyer and Rovman Powell were still at the crease.  As a result, there was hope for Rajasthan.  Hetmyer hit a four and a six off Harshal's over to take the team to victory.  20 runs were needed in the last two overs.  Powell hit two fours in the first two balls of the 19th over.

 12 runs were needed from 10 balls.  It looked like Rajasthan would win with a smile.  But in that over, Powell and Keshav Maharaj were dismissed by Curran.  Punjab did not give up the fight.  10 runs were needed in the last over.  Arashdeep was to bowl .  Hetmyer was batting.  He did not get a run in the first two balls but hit a six on the third ball and then again in his 5th ball.  The result of the game was confirmed there.  Heytmer was the player of the match.