IPL 2025: Jaiswal's Knock and Parag's Finish Propel RR to Challenging Target Against PBKS

Synopsis

In an exciting clash on April 5 at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Riyan Parag's late innings fireworks and Yashasvi Jaiswal's 67 runs propelled the Rajasthan Royals to a challenging score of 205/4 against the Punjab Kings. This performance sets a high bar for the Kings in their chase.

Key Takeaways

Riyan Parag played a crucial role in the late overs.
Yashasvi Jaiswal scored an impressive 67 runs.
Rajasthan Royals set a target of 205 runs.
Lockie Ferguson's bowling proved vital for Punjab Kings.
Dhruv Jurel contributed significantly in the final overs.

New Chandigarh, April 5 (NationPress) Riyan Parag’s explosive hitting towards the end, along with Yashasvi Jaiswal’s impressive 67-run innings, enabled the Rajasthan Royals to post a formidable total of 205/4 in 20 overs against the Punjab Kings at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium on Saturday.

Opening batsman Jaiswal and captain Sanju Samson laid a strong foundation for the Royals' innings. The left-handed batsman aggressively attacked South African pacer Marco Jansen, hitting two consecutive sixes in the fourth over. With both players rotating the strike effectively and finding boundaries at regular intervals, the Royals maintained a healthy run rate of 8.5 through the 10th over.

Just when it seemed they would take control against the Kings' bowlers, the reintroduction of Lockie Ferguson proved to be a strategic move as Samson lost his wicket, caught by Shreyas Iyer at mid-off. Meanwhile, Jaiswal notched his 10th IPL half-century, achieving this milestone in 40 balls with a boundary against Yuzvendra Chahal followed by a massive six over mid-wicket.

Jaiswal’s aggressive play continued with another six and a four off Marcus Stoinis in the next over, but it was Ferguson who eventually got the last laugh, clean bowling the young star and ending his innings.

While Parag maintained a steady run-a-ball pace from the other end, Nitish Rana, fresh off a stellar performance, sought to keep his momentum going by scoring two boundaries on his first two balls. However, he was caught off Jansen's bowling shortly after. Attempting to clear the boundary at deep cover, Rana ended up mis-hitting the ball into the hands of Glenn Maxwell.

Parag finally found his rhythm, signaling his intent to accelerate the innings by striking Arshdeep Singh for consecutive fours. Shimron Hetmyer was given a reprieve, which could have marked Ferguson's third wicket of the evening when he pulled the Kiwi pacer towards deep fine-leg, but Chahal failed to hold onto the high catch, allowing the ball to go for six.

Parag continued his assault with two successive sixes off Jansen before he also received a let-off from the bowler after an attempted slog.

Fortunately for the home team, Hetmeyer did not inflict significant damage and was eventually caught by Maxwell, becoming Arshdeep’s only wicket of the night.

Dhruv Jurel, Rajasthan’s leading scorer this season, alongside Parag, added 19 runs in the final over to push the Royals past the 200-run mark.

Brief scores:

Rajasthan Royals 205/4 in 20 overs (Yashasvi Jaiswal 67, Riyan Parag 43*, Sanju Samson 38; Lockie Ferguson 37-2, Arshdeep Singh 35-1) vs Punjab Kings