Yashasvi Jaiswal roared back to form with a fluent half-century while Jofra Archer led a disciplined bowling effort as Rajasthan Royals(RR) handed Punjab Kings(PBKS) a 50-run defeat in their IPL clash on Saturday.
Chasing a daunting 206, Punjab never got going and managed only 155 for nine, despite a valiant 62 from Nehal Wadhera. Archer (3/25), Sandeep Sharma (2/21) and Maheesh Theekshana (2/26) kept the pressure on with tight spells, ably supported by Kumar Kartikeya and Wanindu Hasaranga.
Archer set the tone early, removing Priyansh Arya and the in-form Shreyas Iyer in his first over. Iyer, unbeaten in his last two outings, briefly looked threatening with two elegant boundaries, but Archer’s pace breached his defence.
Sandeep then sent Marcus Stoinis back for 1, and Kartikeya accounted for Prabhsimran Singh (17) to leave Punjab struggling at 43 for four after the Powerplay.
A fifth-wicket stand between Wadhera and Glenn Maxwell (30 off 21) briefly revived Punjab’s hopes. Wadhera, fresh off an impressive debut knock against Lucknow, brought up a 33-ball fifty with clean hitting, targeting Kartikeya and Hasaranga.
But Theekshana removed Maxwell just as Punjab looked to accelerate, and Hasaranga soon struck to dismiss Wadhera, ending Punjab’s resistance.
Earlier, Jaiswal silenced critics with a 40-ball 67 (3 fours, 5 sixes), anchoring Rajasthan’s total of 205 for four, their highest at this venue.
The 23-year-old, who had scores of 1, 29 and 4 in the previous games, forged an 89-run opening stand with skipper Sanju Samson (38 off 26).
Lockie Ferguson (2/37) struck in the middle overs to remove both set batters and Nitish Rana (12), but Riyan Parag’s unbeaten 43 off 25 balls provided the late surge. The right-hander struck three sixes and as many fours to push Royals past the 200-mark.
The win extends Rajasthan’s solid start to the season, while Punjab Kings suffered their first defeat.
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