PBKS needed four runs from the final six deliveries, but Tyagi managed to hand Royals a two-run victory, as he also picked two wickets.
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The Indian Premier League (IPL) is well and truly back with all its drama. Just the third game from the restart of the 2021 edition and the fans were treated to an absolute thriller of a match. Rajasthan Royals (RR) snatched victory from the jaws of defeat against Punjab Kings (PBKS). At one point, KL Rahul’s men required only 10 runs from 15 deliveries. That all changed in the last two overs which were bowled by Mustafizur Rahman and Kartik Tyagi respectively. The young Indian bowler showed incredible composure and skill to snatch a victory that seemed absolutely unlikely for large parts of the match.
Tyagi did not bowl exceptionally well throughout the match but he was absolutely unplayable in the final over of the game. He had one plan, bowling full and wide. PBKS needed only four runs from the final six deliveries and Tyagi managed to hand them a two-run victory. He picked up two wickets during that over which were of in-form Nicholas Pooran and Deepak Hooda.
Credit should also be given to Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman. He bowled the 19th over of the game, which is always considered the most crucial in the second innings of a tight T20 game. He ensured that the Punjab Kings did not score the big runs to give Tyagi something to defend. It might not have been an incredible bowling display by RR as a unit but individual brilliance at the death gave them victory.
Apart from Tyagi, Chetan Sakaria and Rahul Tewatia picked one wicket each for the Royals.
The PBKS opening duo of KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal gave their team a flying start. The duo built a partnership of 120 runs which included a 49 from the PBKS skipper and an incredible 63 from Mayank. Things might have not been as close had the RR fielders taken Rahul’s catches. The PBKS skipper was dropped thrice before finally being dismissed.
Aiden Markram and Nicholas Pooran came to bat at three and four respectively, and they did not disappoint either. They charged towards the total with power and aggression and made a 50-run partnership in a very short time. It was when these two were batting that PBKS needed 10 runs off 15 deliveries. However, Tyagi had other plans. He sent Pooran back to the pavilion in the final over of the match for 32 and Markram did not get the strike back. He remained unbeaten at 26.
Earlier, the Royals were 164-4 at one point and must have considered a 200-plus score, but Shami and Arshdeep had other plans. Shami, the veteran bowler, took three wickets in four overs while allowing only 21 runs. Arshdeep was the pick of the bowlers, with an incredible five-wicket haul in four overs. The young pacer gave up 32 runs. Harpreet Brar, who bowled three tight overs of spin, also had a good game with the ball. Brar took one wicket in three overs while allowing only 17 runs.
The men in pink had a number of batters that performed well on the day. Opening batsmen Evin Lewis and Yashasvi Jaiswal laid the groundwork for the team’s massive score. Lewis took the lead right away, scoring a quickfire 36 off 21 deliveries. Jaiswal, 19, on the other hand, played the long game. He was dismissed by Brar on 49, just short of his half-century. He needed 36 deliveries to reach the goal.
Mahipal Lomror was another standout performer for the Royals on the day. Lomror was the tyrant of the innings, scoring 43 runs off 17 balls. In the innings, he hit two fours and four sixes. Liam Livingstone also had a good outing.
