Punjab cement playoff prospects with gritty defense of 219 in Jaipur thriller

Nehal Wadhera and Shashank Singh delivered commanding half-centuries, while left-arm spinner Harpreet Brar claimed three crucial wickets as Punjab Kings secured a thrilling 10-run win over Rajasthan Royals on Sunday, significantly boosting their IPL 2025 playoff ambitions.

Punjab Kings posted a competitive total of 219 for 5, anchored by Wadhera’s explosive 70 runs off just 37 balls, marked by aggressive stroke play and strategic boundary hitting.

Singh remained unbeaten with a resilient 59, while captain Shreyas Iyer provided valuable support, contributing a composed 30 runs. Their combined efforts laid a strong platform for PBKS to challenge the formidable Royals batting lineup.

Rajasthan Royals got off to a blistering start, thanks to their openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who amassed 76 runs in the first 4.5 overs. Jaiswal’s fluent 50 and Suryavanshi’s quickfire 40 set a brisk tempo that put pressure on the visiting bowlers. However, the momentum shifted when Brar struck in the fifth over, dismissing Suryavanshi and triggering a collapse.

Following that breakthrough, Rajasthan’s batting order faltered under sustained pressure as wickets fell at regular intervals. Despite the valiant efforts of Dhruv Jurel, who scored a spirited 53 off 31 deliveries to keep his team in the hunt, Rajasthan Royals ultimately fell short, finishing at 209 for 7 in their allotted 20 overs.

Brar’s economical and incisive spell, yielding 3 wickets for 22 runs, proved pivotal in stifling the Royals’ chase. Additionally, PBKS pacer Azmatullah Omarzai played a vital supporting role, claiming the prized scalps of Shimron Hetmyer (11) and captain Sanju Samson (20) for figures of 2 for 44, thereby dismantling the middle order at a crucial juncture.

With this win, Punjab Kings accumulated 17 points, equaling the tally of IPL leaders Royal Challengers Bengaluru. However, PBKS remain second on the points table, narrowly trailing due to an inferior net run rate. The win bolsters their playoff credentials and intensifies the race for the coveted spots in the knockout stages.

Brief Scores:

Punjab Kings: 219 for 5 in 20 overs (Nehal Wadhera 70, Shreyas Iyer 30, Shashank Singh 59*; 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)

This article first appeared on Mid Day