RR vs PBKS: Devdutt Padikkal, Yashasvi Jaiswal Keep Rajasthan Royals’ Hopes Alive for Playoffs

Rajasthan Royals defeated Punjab Kings in the IPL 2023 game on May 19 at the HPCA Cricket Stadium in Dharamshala. Young RR batters Devdutt Padikkal and Yashasvi Jaiswal smashed crucial fifties to help their side chase a tough target and kept their hopes alive for the IPL 2023 playoffs.

Punjab Kings had posted a competitive total of 187-5 in their 20 overs as they too looked for 2 crucial points. Sam Curran, Shahrukh Khan and Jitesh Sharma played vital knocks as they took their side to a total which looked quite promising for their bowlers to defend.

RR vs PBKS: Devdutt Padikkal, Yashasvi Jaiswal Smash Crucial Fifties as Rajasthan Royals win their last league game

Just in the second over of Rajasthan Royals’ innings, Kagiso Rabada picked up the wicket of Jos Buttler who couldn’t score a single run. Young Devdutt Padikkal then came in to bat at the number 3 position and took on Punjab Kings’ bowlers along with Yashasvi Jaiswal. Jaiswal began the chase with a hat-trick of fours, Padikkal, who was promoted up the order, then took the charge, sending the bowlers on a leather hunt. The pair of Padikkal and Jaiswal batted with purpose to take Rajasthan Royals to a score of 85 runs in just 9.4 overs.

Devdutt Padikkal smashed his fifty off just 29 deliveries including 5 fours and 3 monstrous sixes. But Rajasthan Royals lost Padikkal and skipper Sanju Samson in a quick succession to leave them at a score of 90 for 3 in the 11th over.

Yashasvi Jaiswal then found a perfect partner in Shimron Hetmyer, who slipped into the role of the aggressor with three sixes early on. The RR opener completed his fifty in only 35 balls including 8 fours before falling to a reverse hit off Nathan Ellis.

Shimron Hetmyer too played a crucial knock of 46 runs in just 28 deliveries as the RR side chased down the total in 19.4 overs. Rajasthan Royals now have 14 points against their name with a healthy net run rate of +0.1 as they now rely on the results of the remaining IPL 2023 matches.