Rajasthan Royals’ Playoff Hopes Dwindle as Sam Curran Stars in PBKS Victory

In Short

• PBKS won the match by 5 wickets
• Curran scored 63 and picked up 2 wickets
• RR under threat from SRH as they could lose their 2nd spot on the table

In a crucial IPL 2024 encounter, Rajasthan Royals faced a significant setback as they succumbed to their fourth consecutive loss, this time against Punjab Kings.

Sam Curran’s all-round brilliance guided PBKS to a convincing five-wicket win over RR in Guwahati on May 15, Wednesday, further complicating Rajasthan’s prospects of securing a top-two finish and raising concerns about their playoff chances.

Opting to bat first after winning the toss, Rajasthan Royals endured a shaky start as opener Yashasvi Jaiswal departed early, dragging one onto his stumps.

Captain Sanju Samson and debutant Tom Kohler-Cadmore struggled to accelerate the scoring rate in the powerplay overs, resulting in their dismissals.

Despite a brief partnership between R Ashwin and Riyan Parag, RR suffered a collapse after Ashwin’s wicket, managing to post only 144 for 9 in their allotted 20 overs.

Sam Curran, Harshal Patel, and Rahul Chahar starred with the ball for PBKS, each claiming two wickets.

Chasing a modest target, Punjab Kings encountered early setbacks of their own, losing Prabhsimran Singh cheaply.

However, a brisk start from Rilee Rossouw provided impetus to the innings before Avesh Khan struck twice in quick succession to dent PBKS’ progress.

Although Jonny Bairstow’s slow innings raised hopes for RR, Jitesh Sharma and Sam Curran turned the tide with a vital partnership, propelling PBKS towards victory.

Despite a late wobble, Curran and Ashutosh Sharma steered PBKS home with an assured performance, securing a crucial win.

The defeat leaves Rajasthan Royals grappling with issues of consistency and form, particularly in the latter stages of the tournament.

Having started the season strongly with seven wins in their first eight matches, RR’s campaign has faltered in the latter half, mirroring their struggles in previous seasons.

Despite impressive performances from stalwarts like Sanju Samson and Riyan Parag, RR’s bowling department, led by Trent Boult and R Ashwin, has failed to deliver consistently.

As the race for playoff spots heats up, Rajasthan Royals find themselves in a precarious position, needing a comprehensive victory against Kolkata Knight Riders in their final league match to secure a top-two finish.

However, with SunRisers Hyderabad breathing down their necks, RR’s fate hangs in the balance, requiring a significant turnaround in fortunes to salvage their playoff aspirations.

Meanwhile, Punjab Kings showcased resilience and determination in their bowling performance against RR, with Sam Curran leading the charge.

As they prepare for their final match against SunRisers Hyderabad, PBKS will rely on their Indian contingent to step up in the absence of key overseas players.

Shikhar Dhawan’s potential return could provide a much-needed boost to PBKS’ batting lineup, offering hope for a strong finish to their IPL 2024 campaign.