New Delhi: Nehal Wadhera and Shashank Singh’s sparkling half-centuries enabled Punjab Kings to beat Rajasthan Royals by 10 runs in Jaipur on Sunday and increase their chances of qualifying for the IPL 2025 play-offs.
Wadhera’s 37-ball 70, his highest score on the tournament, and Shashank’s unbeaten 59 took PBKS to a strong total of 219 for 5, which RR were unable to reach, stopping at 209/7
RR openers Yashasvi Jaiswal (50) and Vaibhav Suryavanshi (40) blasted 76 runs in 4.5 overs but Punjab’s left-arm spinner Harpreet Brar (3/22) turned the match around after dismissing the 14-year-old Suryavanshi in the fifth over.
Dhruv Jurel (53 off 31 balls) was RR’s highest run-getter while Jaiswal made 50 off 25 balls. Apart from Brar, pacer Azmatullah Omarzai (2/44) too contrinuted in PBKS’ win, dismissing Shimron Hetmyer (11) and RR skipper Sanju Samson (20).
PBKS now have 17 points and are second to toppers Royal Challengers Bengaluru only because of an inferior net run rate.
Wadhera, Shashank shine
Earlier, Wadhera’s 70 off 37 balls, with five fours and as many sixes and Shashank’s unbeaten on 59 off 30 balls, including five boundaries and three sixes, took Punjab to a healthy 219/5.
Punjab won the toss and opted to bat, but lost Priyansh Arya in the second over when he offered a straightforward catch to Shimron Hetmyer off the bowling of Tushar Deshpande (2/37).
Despite scoring briskly, Punjab lost wickets as Mitchell Owen departed for a two-ball duck on his IPL debut and Prabhsimran also was dismissed cheaply.
PBKS skipper Shreyas Iyer and Wadhera then quickly posted 67 runs for the fourth wicket in 44 balls as Punjab kept scoring at a fast clip. Iyer fell after making a 25-ball 30-run knock, studded with five boundaries.
Wadhera was dropped on 47 off his own bowling by Wanindu Hasaranga in the 12th over and then brought up his fifty in only 25 balls, afyer which he was dismissed ut Shashank and Azmatullah Omarzai, through his unbeaten nine-ball 21-run knock, pulled Punjab to a position of strength.
Brief Scores: Punjab Kings: 219 for 5 in 20 overs (Nehal Wadhera 70, Shreyas Iyer 30, Shashank Singh 59 not out; Tushar Deshpande 2/37). Rajasthan Royals: 209 for 7 in 20 overs (Yashasvi Jaiswal 50, Vaibhav Suryavanshi 40, Dhruv Jurel 53; Harpreet Brar 3/22, Azmatullah Omarzai 2/44).
Nehal Wadhera and Shashank Singh scored half-centuries, while left-arm spinner Harpreet Brar claimed three wickets as Punjab Kings defeated Rajasthan Royals by 10 runs to increase their IPL 2025 play-off chances. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
