IPL 2024 table-toppers Rajasthan Royals pip Punjab Kings: Key stats
Indian Premier League 2024 table-toppers Rajasthan Royals downed Punjab Kings in Match 27 on Saturday in Chandigarh. On a slowish surface, the Kings managed 147/8. Credit should go to Ashutosh Sharma, who scored 31. RR put on a collective show with the ball. In response, PBKS fought back and took the game close. Shimron Hetmyer helped RR win in the 20th over (152/7).
How did the match pan out?
Punjab failed to get a move on in their innings and kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Jitesh Sharma played a crucial hand of 29. Liam Livingstone (21) and Ashutosh Sharma made useful contributions as well. Keshav Maharaj was superb for the RR, taking 2/23. Yashasvi Jaiswal handed RR a good start but Kagiso Rabada shone. RR were bolstered by Hetmyer's brilliance.
Massive strike rate of 197.69 in T20s for Ashutosh
Ashutosh slammed a 31-run knock from 16 balls. He smashed one four and three sixes (SR: 193.75). Ashutosh has averaged 47.50 from three matches in his debut IPL season, having scored 95 runs from 48 balls. His strike rate is a phenomenal 197.91. As per ESPNcricinfo, overall in the 20-over format, Ashutosh owns 514 runs from 18 matches. His strike rate is 197.69.
Unique tally for Ashutosh in IPL 2024
As per Cricbuzz, Ashutosh has scored 85 runs from just 36 balls with a strike rate of 236.11 in overs 18-20 this season. It's the third-highest number of runs after Dinesh Karthik (91 from 35) and Heirich Klaasen (86 from 31).
Maharaj and Chahal excel for the Royals
Maharaj made his presence felt with the ball for RR. In 161 matches in the 20-over format, Maharaj owns 132 scalps at 28.25. Notably, he carries an economy rate of 6.89. Yuzvendra Chahal took 1/31 from his four overs. He owns 198 wickets in the IPL, including 11 this season at 14.81. Chahal raced to 347 scalps in 20-over cricket at 23.12.
30 wickets for Chahal against Punjab Kings
In 20 matches against the Kings, Chahal owns 30 scalps at 19.20. His economy rate is 8.20. Notably, Chahal is now the third-highest wicket-taker against PBKS in IPL history. Umesh Yadav (35) and Sunil Narine (33) are ahead in this regard.
Boult races to 111 IPL scalps
In 94 IPL matches, Kiwi speedster Trent Boult raced to 111 scalps at 26.43. He claimed 1/22 from his four overs against Punjab. Boult owns 247 scalps in T20s now at 25.85.
Sam Curran becomes first Englishman to 50 IPL wickets
PBKS stand-in skipper Sam Curran took a brace (2/25). In 52 IPL matches, Curran has 50 wickets at 32.72. Notably, Curran is the first England international to complete 50 scalps in the IPL. Meanwhile, for PBKS, he has raced to 28 wickets in 29 games with his economy being around 10. His remaining 22 scalps came for the Chennai Super Kings.
Hetmyer smashed a whirlwind 10-ball 27*
Shimron Hetmyer scored 27* from 10 balls. He smashed one four and 3 sixes (SR: 270). In 66 IPL matches, the West Indian now owns 1,200 runs at 33.33. His strike rate reads 154.24.
Jaiswal brings up his best score in IPL 2024
RR opener Jaiswal scored a crucial 39 from 28 balls. He slammed four fours. Jaiswal, who has had a poor season thus far, brought up his highest score. In six matches, Jaiswal owns 102 runs at 17. Overall in the IPL, he owns 1,274 runs at 30.33. Overall, in the 20-over format, Jaiswal has 2,424 runs at 29.92.
A look at the points table
RR have raced to 10 points after claiming their 5th win from six matches (L1). RR's NRR is +0.767. PBKS are 8th in the 10-team table. Punjab have four defeats and two wins from six matches (NRR: -0.218).
