Dhawan, Prabhsimran, Ellis shine in 5-run victory
GUWAHATI: The stage was set for a grand opening as Guwahati made its Indian Premier League debut on Wednesday, but it was afire only in the last four overs of the match when the crowd experienced the best of thrill that the cash-rich league is famous for.
|
IPL 2023 SCHEDULEIPL 2023 POINTS TABLE
Set a formidable target of 198, 'home' side Rajasthan Royals were never in control of the chase despite captain Sanju Samson playing a steady knock of 25-ball 42 even as he lost partners at the other end mostly due to soft dismissals.
It was only in the last four overs that 'impact player' Dhruv Jurel, who came in place of leggie Yuzvendra Chahal, and Shimran Hetmyer raised the hopes of the home crowd for a winning finish.
Nathan Ellis, the Aussie pacer, stole the bowling limelight for Punjab with figures of four for 30. However, the duo's late efforts fell short in the end as the Kings roared louder than 'Hall Bol' to seal a nervy five-run win for their second consecutive victory.
Earlier, India veteran and Punjab Kings' new skipper Shikhar Dhawan led from the front with a superbly paced unbeaten half-century while his opening partner Prabhsimran Singh brought up his maiden fifty in IPL - playing a fearless innings early on - as the visitors reached a formidable 197 for four on Wednesday.
Dhawan carried his bat through the innings and shifted gear after Prabhsimran left the field but it was India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin and Caribbean allrounder Jason Holder's brilliant middle and end overs that kept the Kings' total in check and under 200 in the end. Holder bowled an excellent last over giving away just seven runs after KA Asif had given 16 runs in the penultimate over.
Dhawan (86 off 56 balls, 9x4, 3x6) played the second fiddle to Prabhsimran (60 off 34, 7x4,3x6) as the visitors raced to 63/0 at the end of Powerplay. The youngster drove, pulled, cut and whipped at ease to enthrall the enthusiastic crowd.
As expected, the Barsapara track was as flat as a table-top and with no movement on offer it became easier for the Punjab batters to hit from the word go.
But there's nothing to take away from Prabhsimran as he treated all bowlers alike and scored off every half-opportunity given to him.
The fourth over bowled by young pacer Asif brought 19 runs as Prabhsimran hit three fours and a maximum before hitting consecutive fours off Ashwin in the next over.
He was dropped on 44 as Devdutt Padikkal could not hold on to a head high forceful drive at the extra cover and it needed a special effort from Englishman Jos Buttler in the 10th over for Prabhsimran to return to the pavilion.
