Ferreira's 52-run blitz steers RR past PBKS in 19.2 overs, chasing 223
Synopsis
Rajasthan Royals turned a 223-run chase into a six-wicket romp at Chandigarh, with Donovan Ferreira's unbeaten 52 and a 77-run blitz alongside Shubham Dubey in the final overs dismantling Punjab's pace attack. The victory handed Punjab their first loss of the season and showcased RR's lethal finishing ability under pressure.
Key Takeaways
Donovan Ferreira scored an unbeaten 52 to guide Rajasthan Royals to a six-wicket win over Punjab Kings .
Ferreira and Shubham Dubey stitched an unbeaten 77-run stand off 32 balls in the closing overs.
RR chased down 223 in 19.2 overs at the PCA New International Stadium in Chandigarh .
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (43 off 16 balls) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (51) gave Rajasthan a flying start.
Marcus Stoinis smashed 62 off 22 balls to power Punjab's 222 for 4 .
Donovan Ferreira's unbeaten 52 and a devastating 77-run unbroken stand with Shubham Dubey off just 32 balls guided Rajasthan Royals to a six-wicket victory over Punjab Kings at the PCA New International Stadium in Chandigarh on 29 April, completing a chase of 223 in 19.2 overs. The stunning turnaround handed Punjab their first loss of the season.
How RR built momentum
Rajasthan started brightly, with 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi smashing 43 off 16 balls and Yashasvi Jaiswal contributing a brisk 51. A middle-order stutter, triggered by Yuzvendra Chahal's strikes, saw the required rate climb beyond 12 runs per over midway through the innings, putting RR under mounting pressure.
Ferreira and Dubey's finishing masterclass
Ferreira and Dubey dismantled Punjab's pace attack in the closing overs, with Ferreira connecting cleanly in the penultimate and final overs to seal victory. The pair's unbeaten alliance showcased composure and aggression in equal measure, turning a contest that appeared to slip away into a commanding win.
What Ferreira said
"It's important that we back ourselves, and if we play our best game, we will come across," Ferreira told the IPL broadcast. "Shubham Dubey came in and played an excellent knock, took a lot of pressure off me. And then in the second or third last over, I really connected a few balls, which obviously took us over the line." He added that the team's mantra was to stay grounded regardless of results, learning from both victories and defeats.
Punjab's big total falls short
Punjab Kings had posted 222 for 4, powered by an explosive unbeaten 62 off 22 balls from Marcus Stoinis, while Prabhsimran Singh made 59 and Shreyas Iyer contributed 30. Despite the formidable total, RR's fearless finishing proved too much for the opposition bowlers, particularly in the death overs.
Looking ahead
The victory underscores Rajasthan's depth in the lower middle order and their ability to chase under pressure — a trait that could define their campaign as the tournament progresses.
Point of View
The teams with the deepest finishing depth will dominate. Punjab's loss, despite a 222-run total, is a sobering reminder that even big totals are no longer safe in the shortest format.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Rajasthan Royals chase down 223 against Punjab Kings?
Rajasthan Royals chased 223 with a six-wicket win, completing the target in 19.2 overs. Donovan Ferreira's unbeaten 52 and an unbroken 77-run partnership with Shubham Dubey off just 32 balls, particularly in the final overs, dismantled Punjab's pace attack to seal victory.
What was Donovan Ferreira's role in the chase?
Ferreira remained unbeaten on 52 and played the crucial finishing role. He emphasised the importance of self-belief and said that connecting well in the second and third last overs was key to taking the team over the line.
How did Rajasthan start their innings?
Rajasthan got off to a flying start with 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi smashing 43 off 16 balls and Yashasvi Jaiswal contributing a brisk 51. However, a middle-order slowdown triggered by Yuzvendra Chahal's strikes put them under pressure midway through.
What was Punjab Kings' total and who scored the most?
Punjab Kings posted 222 for 4, powered by an unbeaten 62 off 22 balls from Marcus Stoinis, while Prabhsimran Singh made 59 and Shreyas Iyer contributed 30.
What does this win mean for Rajasthan Royals?
The victory handed Punjab Kings their first loss of the season and demonstrated Rajasthan's depth in the lower middle order and their ability to chase under pressure — traits that could prove crucial as the tournament progresses.
