RR vs PBKS Highlights of VIVO IPL 2021: Punjab Kings Beat Rajasthan Royals By 4 Runs

Sanju Samson's valiant effort went in vain as Rajasthan Royals fell short by 4 runs after coming so close against Punjab King. Samson, on his Rajasthan Royals captaincy debut, smashed a century and was the last man dismissed as Arshdeep Singh defended 13 runs in the final over to lead Punjab Kings to victory. 

Sanju Samson is out off the final ball of the innings and Punjab Kings have won here by 4 runs. Rajasthan needed 13 off the final over. They brought the equation down to 5 from 2 balls. But Samson then denied a single and had to find the boundary in the final ball. He did hit it but is caught by Deepak Hooda at the boundary. Samson c Hooda b Arshdeep Singh 119(63)

OUT! Riley Meredith removes Rahul Tewatia. This is an important breakthrough for Punjab Kings. Meredith bowls a wide full delivery which Tewatia chases but only manages to edge it behind to KL Rahil. Rahul Tewatia c Rahul b Riley Meredith 2(4)

Sanju Samson has smashed a century and kept Rajasthan Royals in the hunt. He gets there with a late cut off Jhye Richardson after smashing the Australian for a boundary and a huge six in the first two balls. 

OUT! Mohammed Shami returns and gets the much-needed breakthrough for Punjab Kings. Riyan Parag has to go after playing a stellar cameo. Shami surprises Parag with a bouncer and the young batsman gloves it to KL Rahul behind. Riyan Parag c Rahul b Shami 25(11) 

Riyan Parag smashed Murugan Ashwin for consecutive sixes as Rajasthan Royals take 20 runs off the 16th over to keep themselves alive in the chase. Parah and Sanju Samson have now struck a 50-run stand in just 19 deliveries. Parag is batting on 25 from 9 while Captain Samson is on 83 off 49 deliveries. 

OUT! You can't keep Deepak Hooda out of the action tonight. He takes a fine catch on the boundary line to dismiss Shivam Dube. Arshdeep Singh gets his second wicket. The ball was there to be hit but Dube could not time it well. Hooda takes a good catch at the long-off boundary. Shivam Dube c Hooda b Arshdeep Singh 23(15) 

OUT! You can't keep Deepak Hooda out of the action tonight. He takes a fine catch on the boundary line to dismiss Shivam Dube. Arshdeep Singh gets his second wicket. The ball was there to be hit but Dube could not time it well. Hooda takes a good catch at the long-off boundary. Shivam Dube c Hooda b Arshdeep Singh 23(15) 

Fifty for Sanju Samson on his captaincy debut for Rajasthan Royals. Chasing a massive total, the dasher has batted with responsibility but he now needs to up the ante with the required run-rate going over 12.5. Moreover, the likes of Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes are now back in the hut.

OUT! The INR 14.25 crore buy, Jhye Richardson gets the first wicket of his IPL career and it's a massive one. The dangerous-looking Jos Buttler is gone and Punjab Kings are on cloud nine. Buttler failed to read the slower delivery as the ball crashed the stumps. Third man down for RR. Buttler b J Richardson 25(13)

Despite losing both openers cheaply, Rajasthan Royals have continued to go after the bowlers with Sanju Samson and Jos Buttler collecting one boundary after another. The powerplay is over and the scoring rate is almost 10. This partnership might well decide the fate of the game.

OUT! Another one bites the dust and it's Manan Vohra this time. Arshdeep Singh strikes in his first over. The RR opener tried to hit the ball straight and the young pacer took a brilliant reflex catch. Both openers are back in the hut and the Men in Pink are in all sorts of trouble now. Vohra c and b Arshdeep Singh 12(8)

OUT! Absolutely dream start for Punjab Kings as Mohammed Shami dismisses Ben Stokes for a duck. The dashing southpaw, while going for a big hit, top-edged the ball and Shami took a good catch. Notably, PBKS skipper KL Rahul was also converging to take the catch and even collided with Shami but the pacer held onto the ball. Stokes c and b Shami 0(3)

Although KL Rahul missed his century by nine runs, Punjab Kings posted a daunting total, i.e. 221/6, on board. The skipper was magnificent throughout the innings while Deepak Hooda provided the impetus after coming at the crease. Nevertheless, no total is absolutely safe with Ben Stokes, Sanju Samson and Jos Buttler in the opposition. Not to forget Rahul Tewatia.

OUT! Deepak Hooda departs but not before playing an absolutely incredible cameo. The dasher tried to go for another six against Chris Morris but didn't get the connection and Riyan Parag took a good catch at long-on. Can RR restrict the damage with Hooda back in the hut. Hooda c Riyan Parag b Chris Morris 64(28)

Fifty in absolutely no time for Deepak Hooda! Coming ahead of Nicholas Pooran, the Indian dasher has justified the team management's decision, getting to fifty of mere 20 balls. Four more overs are still left in the innings and it's scary to think how far PBKS can go.

Some magnificent hitting from Deepak Hooda meant Shreyas Gopal gave away 20 runs from the 14th over. Hooda made a mockery of the leg-spinner and smashed three sixes in the over. With eight wickets in hand, PBKS will look to make most of the final six overs.

FIFTY for PBKS skipper KL Rahul and a must deserved one. He has paced his knock to perfection and got to the milestone pretty swiftly, off just 30 balls. Meanwhile, Punjab's scoring rate is now up to 10 and some fireworks in the end overs are on the cards.

OUT! Sensational change in bowling from Sanju Samson as the part-time spinner Riyan Parag gets the big scalp of Chris Gayle. The Universe Boss, batting at 40, mistimed a big hit and found the safe hands of Ben Stokes at long-on. Nevertheless, a fine innings comes to end. Gayle c Stokes b Riyan Parag 40(28)

KL Rahul and Chris Gayle have opened their arms after being cautious for a few overs. The surface looks brilliant for batting and RR badly need a breakthrough soon. Notably, Ben Stokes had dropped Rahul off Shreyas Gopal's bowling and the PBKS skipper would be determined to make full use of the lifeline.