923dDeivarayan Muthu

KL Rahul smashes six-studded 98* to keep Punjab Kings' dreams alive (just about)

Punjab Kings get to fifth place with the win, but getting into the final four might still be a bit beyond them

Match Centre

Statistics

Best performances - Batsmen

KL Rahul
KL Rahul
98(42) 7x4 - 8x6
Control %78%
  • Productive Shot
  • pull
  • 27 runs
  • 2x4 - 2x6
4 19 14 6 7 9 14 25
F du Plessis
F du Plessis
76(55) 8x4 - 2x6
Control %79%
  • Productive Shot
  • pull
  • 18 runs
  • 4x4 - 0x6
7 0 3 5 13 7 19 22

Best performances - Bowlers

SN Thakur
SN Thakur
O3
M0
R28
W3
Eco9.33
RHB
OFFLEG
1W1W
1W
  • FTFULL TOSS
  • YYORKER
  • FFULL LENGTH
  • GGOOD LENGTH
  • SGSHORT OF GOOD LENGTH
  • SSHORT LENGTH
CJ Jordan
CJ Jordan
O3
M0
R20
W2
Eco6.66
RHB
OFFLEG
2W
  • FTFULL TOSS
  • YYORKER
  • FFULL LENGTH
  • GGOOD LENGTH
  • SGSHORT OF GOOD LENGTH
  • SSHORT LENGTH
LHB
LEGOFF

Scorer: @Thilak_Rama | Commentator: Sreshth Shah

END OF OVER:
13 | 13 Runs 1 Wkt | PBKS: 139/4 | RR: 10.69

  • KL Rahul98 (42b)
  • Moises Henriques3 (3b)
  • Shardul Thakur3-0-28-3
  • Dwayne Bravo2-0-32-0

That's all from us at ESPNcricinfo from this tab. Is this the end of Punjab Kings' campaign or will some dramatic fixtures over tonight and tomorrow see them go through? There's only one way to find out....hop over to Knight Riders v Royals by clicking here

KL Rahul, winning captain and Player of the Match (seven fours and eight sixes in his 98*): "It was really hot today. Plan was simple. The numbers guys told us a few permutations and combinations. We wanted to score it before 14 overs. Just one of those days when it comes off. Had complete clarity of what I wanted to do. I feel like I may end up letting the team down if I play how I want to play. But today, this was how I needed to play. Today was one of those days where I could hit every ball. No better feeling than hitting the ball from the middle of the bat."

5.32pm Meanwhile, Rajasthan Royals won the toss and chose to bowl in Sharjah against Kolkata Knight Riders. You can Click here to follow that big contest. It means Punjab will have to aim for a big Knight Riders collapse and a quick chase from the Royals.

Update: Deepak Chahar has just proposed to his girlfriend in the stands! And it looks like she said yes! Wishing Deepak Chahar all the best.

5.25pm The presentation is coming up. But before that, an update on the question all of you are asking. For RCB to move 2nd and drop CSK to 3rd, RCB need to score around 200 runs and win by 163 runs to go past Dhoni's side (They cannot overtake CSK by chasing a target). Now take into account that the biggest win margin in IPL so far is 146 runs by Mumbai vs Delhi Daredevils in 2017. So CSK can sleep well.

MS Dhoni, losing captain: "In a league like this you have to be at your best always."

Aiden Markram: "Good opportunity always to play IPL. Rahul's done something quite special tonight. The team went crazy behind the scenes with every shot."

varun: "KL surely thinking of that Royals loss by 2 runs."

Points table update: Punjab move to fifth, going above Mumbai Indians on net run rate. Now they need to hope for two things: first, Kolkata lose big tonight (lose by about 71 runs, chasing 180) and then hope Mumbai lose tomorrow. For now, here's a stat that reflects their so-close-yet-so-far seasons: Kings have now finished on 12 points for the fourth season running."

5.17pm That's Punjab Kings' season done (most probably), and they have made a statement in their last game. Playoff qualifiers Chennai Super Kings have been humbled, and that's been set up by their bowling first up and completed by their dependable captain KL Rahul.

For CSK, they are going down a slippery slope. Third straight loss to end their league stage. Not the momentum you want going into the playoffs.

12.6
6
Thakur to Rahul, SIX, glory shot and that helps Punjab Kings finish the game in style. Length ball outside off, and he swivels to hammer a six over deep midwicket! Not perfectly hit, but enough to beat the outfielder on the boundary line. Punjab Kings with by six wickets as KL Rahul stays unbeaten on 98.
12.5
4
Thakur to Rahul, FOUR, good length ball outside off stump. Pulled along the ground to wide long on, and Bravo runs in from the deep to stop the double but he fails to pick the ball up! Goes past his fingertips, and hits the boundary skirting.
12.4
1
Thakur to Henriques, 1 run, good length outside off stump. Guided to third man for a single
12.3
2
Thakur to Henriques, 2 runs, full on off, and he slogs to deep midwicket for a couple
12.2
0
Thakur to Henriques, no run, good length outside off. Henriques walks across to the off side to play a cheeky paddle past the leg stump. Ends up flicking the shot onto his boots. Shardul collects swiftly
12.1
W
Thakur to Markram, OUT, another one for Thakur as this length ball on the corridor of uncertainty gets Markram. He expected the ball to angle in, and wanted to thrash a drive through cover. Edged to Dhoni

AK Markram c †Dhoni b Thakur 13 (18m 8b 0x4 1x6) SR: 162.50

Markram will keep strike. That makes Rahul's chances of a hundred much tougher. His best chance is to get on strike next ball and then hit two sixes to finish the game. Kings need 9 to win.

PBKS 2nd innings Partnerships

WktRunsPlayers
1st46MA AgarwalKL Rahul
2nd0KL RahulSN Khan
3rd34KL RahulM Shahrukh Khan
4th46KL RahulAK Markram
5th13MC HenriquesKL Rahul