IPL 2021: Punjab Kings Win By 4 Runs Against Rajasthan Royals in Last-Ball Thriller
Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, 13 April 2021 – Sanju Samson played one of the most incredible knocks in the history of IPL to score the first century of the season. but, still, his 119 went in vain as Punjab Kings beat Rajasthan Royals by 4 runs in the last ball thriller. Punjab somehow managed to defend 221 targets but only after they survived a major scare from Rajasthan’s New Captain.
Punjab Kings were quick off the blocks. Begin with, first KL Rahul and Chris Gayle had the Rajasthan bowlers on the ropes. Once the 67 runs second-wicket stand was broken by part-timers Riyan Parag Rajasthan’s worst fears came true. Deepak Hooda tormented the Royals bowlers hitting sixes at will. At the other end, Rahul wasn’t holding himself back and got to his half-century before Hooda also got there off just 20 deliveries. Hooda made all the difference with a quickfire 64 runs off 28 balls while Rahul’s 91 runs ensure Punjab piled up a score of 221 for 6 wickets.
Royals couldn’t have asked for a worst possible start losing Ben Stokes for a duck in the very first over before Manan Vohra also joined him in the dugout. Jos Buttler and Sanju Samson tried to get things back on track. But, Jhye Richardson got the Englishman of a slower one.
Royal’s Skipper Sanju played like a lone warrior and he stood like a rock between Punjab Kings and a victory. It seems Samson had almost sealed the victory for Royals and in-process struck the first century of this season in IPL. 13 runs were needed of the last over and Samson brought the equation down to five of the last 2 deliveries.
Samson refused a run of the penultimate delivery, taking the entire responsibility on himself. But in the end, it turned out to be a heartbreak for the Royal Skipper, his team, and their fans.
