RR vs PBKS, IPL 2023: Second victory for Punjab Kings, they win by 5 runs

So close yet to so far and Punjab Kings have won by 5 runs. 

In fact, this is only the third time Punjab Kings won their first 2 games of a season in the history of IPL.

Sanju Samson's 42, Shimron Hetmyer 36 and Dhruv Jurel's 32 got the side almost to the finish line, but it was not their day today.

1 run completed but Hetmyer wanted another but gets run-out.

The batter smashes the full toss to long-off and looks for a non-existent second. SRK was quick to get to the ball and he sends it at the bowling end. 

Hetmyer run out (Shahrukh Khan/Sam Curran) 36(18) [4s-1 6s-3]

There is no stopping Nathan Ellis!

Padikkal's harrowing 26-ball 21 that included one lucky boundary comes to an end.

Padikkal b Nathan Ellis 21(26) [4s-1]

Homeboy Riyan Parag departs!

Nathan Ellis has brought all his BBL and national experience into play. 

He has now got his third wicket in 13 balls. 

He did miss out on a hat-trick.

Riyan Parag c Shahrukh Khan b Nathan Ellis 20(12) [4s-1 6s-2]

Nathan Ellis at it again!

The bowler has now picked up RR's two best batters in his 2 overs. 

With no boundaries in site, Samson had to take a risk. But he doesn't get the desired timing and slices it off the toe-end straight down the throat of Short at long-off. 

Samson c (sub)Short b Nathan Ellis 42(25) [4s-5 6s-1]

This could be the game changer!

Buttler was looking to play the on-drive but the bat turned slightly on impact and the ball popped up off the pad. 

Ellis, who bowled was quick on his feet as he ran forward and dived to complete a good two-handed catch.

Buttler c and b Nathan Ellis 19(11) [4s-1 6s-1]

A duck for Ashwin and the experiment ends in failure!

Ashwin was cramped for room on the pull and all he could manage was a big top-edge. 

It lobbed high and over mid-on and Dhawan kept back-pedalling and got into a good position to take the catch,

Ashwin c Dhawan b Arshdeep Singh 0(4)

It was a catching practice at extra-cover!

Jaiswal leant into the drive and ended up hitting it straight into the hands of Short at extra-cover.

The substitute fielder's first impact on IPL 2023 and the in-form Jaiswal has been dismissed. 

Jaiswal c (sub)Short b Arshdeep Singh 11(8) [4s-1 6s-1]

In a strange turn of events, Ravi Ashwin walked out to open with Jaiswal.

Looked like Buttler injured his finger while taking the catch that dismissed Shahrukh. 

The Royals will happy that they managed to stop the train going towards 200.

Prabhsimran gave PBS a striking start as he smashed a fine 34-ball 60. 

Rajapaksa was unfortunate to be forced to retire hurt and Jitesh played a nice little cameo. 

Dhawan played till the end and helped Punjab finish with 197.

Ravi Ashwin and Holder were outstanding with the ball.

It was the carrom ball which drifted in with the angle.

It drew Raza forward and then straightened past the outside edge, crashing into the off-stump. 

Raza b Ashwin 1(2)

Dhruv Jurel replaces Chahal for the Royals.

It was a low full-toss and Jitesh jumped down the pitch and was looking to go inside out.

But instead the ball went straighter and down the throat of long-off, who moved across swiftly to his left to complete the catch.

With this Chahal crosses Malinga's record.

Jitesh Sharma c Riyan Parag b Chahal 27(16) [4s-2 6s-1]

With a FOUR, Dhawan brings up his fifty. 

It is his 50th fifty score in IPL

Rajapaksa walks off after he was hit in the forearm on his right hand. 

That was slammed really hard by Dhawan. 

Jitesh Sharma comes in.

Buttler plucks a good catch and the 90-runs partnership is broken!

It was a short ball and Prabhsimran looked to slap it but only ended up slicing it.

The ball went aerial and Buttler from long-off took a stunning catch.

Prabhsimran c Buttler b Holder 60(34) [4s-7 6s-3]

Fifty off 28 balls for Prabhsimran!

The lad has set the platform for Punjab tonight along with skipper Shikhar Dhawan.

The long-wait for the Indian Premier League to come to the shores of the Brahmaputra has ended!

With that being said, Rajasthan have won the toss and opted to bowl first.

Teams:

Punjab Kings (Playing XI): Shikhar Dhawan(c), Prabhsimran Singh(w), Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Jitesh Sharma, Shahrukh Khan, Sam Curran, Sikandar Raza, Nathan Ellis, Harpreet Brar, Rahul Chahar, Arshdeep Singh

Rajasthan Royals (Playing XI): Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson(w/c), Devdutt Padikkal, Riyan Parag, Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder, Ravichandran Ashwin, Trent Boult, KM Asif, Yuzvendra Chahal