RR VS PBKS MATCH 8

That is it from this game and it is Punjab who pick up an away victory against Rajasthan and make it two wins out of two just like Gujarat. On Thursday, the 6th of April, Bangalore also have a chance to replicate that as they travel to Kolkata to face the home side in a tasty encounter at Eden Gardens. That game will begin at 7.30 pm IST (2 pm GMT) but our build-up will begin a lot sooner. Cheers!

Nathan Ellis (4-0-30-4) is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his excellent spell. He says that it was one of those days and he is stoked to get the win in a close game. Adds that it's all about ball-by-ball and he tries to focus on the next ball whether he is bowling or fielding and admits that it is easier said than done. Ends by saying that he was focused on drying the ball and getting the cross-seamers right and he is happy with the effort.

Punjab's skipper, Shikhar Dhawan says that there were some nervous moments in the end but the bowlers kept their calm considering the dew factor. Adds that they were happy with the score and jokingly says that the turning point was his switch-hits. Mentions that the score was good and credits his bowlers for picking up early wickets and praises Nathan Ellis for his performance. Tells that they played good cricket in both games and says that they have depth in their batting and that is why their plan is to continue the momentum and keep hitting boundaries to put pressure on the opponents. Ends by saying it was a team effort.

The Presentation ceremony...

Sanju Samson, the captain of Rajasthan says that it was a really good batting wicket and there was no help for the bowlers in the Powerplay but credits his bowlers for pulling things a bit back in the end. Adds that the thinking behind sending Ravichandran Ashwin to open the innings was that as Punjab had two spinners so they wanted Devdutt Padikkal in the middle order. Mentions that he is happy to see Dhruv Jurel getting the opportunity and showing his talent as the team management and coaches have put on a lot of work behind young potential players like him. Tells that dew is a factor on this ground and it is a high scoring one as well and they expect the same in the next game.

Earlier in the game, Sanju Samson put Punjab into bat on a wicket that looked like a belter. Prabhsimran Singh and Shikhar Dhawan flew off the blocks with the former in sensational form. They were flying high but once Singh fell, the scoring rate slowed down a touch. Jitesh Sharma played a little cameo to regain a bit of momentum which was then capitalized by Dhawan and he went ballistic. Ravichandran Ashwin and Jason Holder were the pick of the bowlers for Rajasthan as KM Asif and Yuzvendra Chahal went for plenty but they managed to keep Punjab under the 200-run mark. Coming to the chase, it was neck and neck but soon Punjab were in control. Rajasthan made a sublime comeback in the death overs only to go on and lose the game by a slender margin.

With 67 runs needed off 24 balls, Rajasthan hardly had a chance of winning the game but they made a match out of it before suffering heartbreak. It was an unusual start as Ravichandran Ashwin opened the innings with Yashasvi Jaiswal and got out early. Skipper Sanju Samson then took on the mantle and looked in fine touch before he got out as well. Devdutt Padikkal struggled in the middle but Riyan Parag started off well, although both of them got out in quick succession as well. Then came the fireworks from the Impact Player Dhruv Jurel and Shimron Hetmyer that completely changed the game and with 16 needed off the final over to win, Rajasthan were in with a real chance. However, they fell short by 5 runs.

Punjab win the game and make it two wins out of two but they would have had their heart in their mouth. After a good score on the board, Arshdeep Singh got them off to a bright start with two early wickets. In the middle phase, the spinners didn't manage to pick up wickets but it was Nathan Ellis who bowled a vital spell as he got wickets every time he came on to bowl. Ellis ended up with 4 wickets but received some tap in the final over. Arshdeep Singh and Sam Curran bowled in the death overs and even though they were hit for a few boundaries, they managed to get the job done.

Wow, what a game! Rajasthan seemed down and out but managed to take it to the final over. Sam Curran held his nerve and made sure Punjab got over the line, just when they were given a real scare by young Dhruv Jurel and Shimron Hetmyer.

FOUR! Dhruv Jurel gets a boundary, but that will not be enough! Sam Curran serves this full and around leg, Dhruv Jurel stays there and glances it towards the fine leg fence for a boundary. PUNJAB WIN BY 5 RUNS!

This is in the blockhole and around off, Jason Holder drills it towards long off for a single. This is Punjab's game now barring any extras.

A low full toss, outside off, Dhruv Jurel looks to ramp it but misses and Sanju Samson behind the stumps fumbles as well. A bye is taken. Jason Holder is on strike with 11 needed in 2 balls. All three results are possible.

Jason Holder walks in next but he will be at the non-striker's end.

OUT! RUN OUT! A disaster for Rajasthan! Sam Curran nails the yorker, on off, Shimron Hetmyer jams it out towards long off for a single, and he wants the second, but Dhruv Jurel sends him back when he is already halfway down the pitch, Shahrukh Khan throws it bowler's end where Sam Curran breaks the stumps with Shimron Hetmyer nowhere near the crease. It is all on Dhruv Jurel now!

Fullish and outside off, Shimron Hetmyer drills it towards sweeper covers and comes back for the second and makes it easily in the air as the throw from Nathan Ellis was a poor one. 13 needed in 4 now!

Full and on middle, Dhruv Jurel forces it towards long on for just a single.

Who will bowl the final over? Will it be Sam Curran or the Impact Player Rishi Dhawan? It will be Curran. Can he defend 15 runs?