The Rajasthan Royals were the first team to register 16 points in the IPL 2024. But the Sanju Samson-led side has been stuck there forever, losing four consecutive matches since he notched that 8th win. The fourth defeat they tasted came against the Punjab Kings, a team that, before their RR vs PBKS match victory, was placed at the bottom of the points table.
The top spot, which seemed Rajasthan not too long ago, is now no longer in contention. But there are still positives to be taken. Riyan Parag and Ravichandran Ashwin’s fightback with the bat and Avesh Khan’s good returns bode well. For Punjab, a win after two consecutive losses is good, but they have just lost three overseas stars to injury/availability issues.
Captain’s day out
A deserving ‘Player of the Match’ award for the Punjab Kings captain, Sam Curran. His bowling returns may have been good enough to earn that after he claimed Yashasvi Jaiswal and Dhruv Jurel. But he wasn’t done. He then played a captain’s knock, scoring 63(41), after his side was 36/3 in 4.5 overs. Playing his final game of the IPL 2024, he definitely left a mark.
CSK unaware of Fleming’s India head coach interest
Chennai Super Kings CEO Kasi Viswanathan has said that he’s unaware of his head coach, Stephen Fleming’s, interest in becoming the India cricket team’s new commander-in-chief. “I have not heard anything like this. There has been no communication from Stephen Fleming to CSK either,” the CSK CEO said after rumors of him being interested in the job started circulating.
Parag scores perfect knock
It was not a match-winning knock, but one that showed immense character. The batting all-rounder scored 48(34), which was more than the score of their next two highest-scoring batters. Having entered the middle with his team 40/2 in 6.4 overs, he not only top-scored but stopped a collapse that nearly got them the victory. With the IPL 2024 playoffs starting soon, this gritty knock bodes well for Sanju Samson and Co.
Injured Rabada leaves
Before the announcement of Sam Curran and Jonny Bairstow, the Punjab Kings have already suffered a fatal blow. Their ace pacer, Kagiso Rabada, has left the IPL 2024 due to a lower limb soft tissue infection. Although already out of the playoffs race, losing their best foreign pacer surely can’t help them.
Only Chahar to perform
With his brother Deepak Chahar out, Rahul has decided to cover for him as well. Although they play for different franchises, the leg-spinner has decided to perform at such a level that their family’s is taken ample. Rahul managed to take just wickets while giving away 26 runs in his 4 overs.
Tom Kohler-Cadmore says protection comes first
The English making his debut for the Rajasthan Royals may have disappointed with the bat, but his peculiar device has kept him in the headlines. Opening the batting, Kohler-Cadmore was spotted wearing a device called Q-Collar, which is used to minimize head injuries.
