Stoinis smashes 62 off 22 to power PBKS to 222 against RR in IPL 2026
Synopsis
Stoinis's 62 off 22 wasn't just a cameo — it was a statement. After warming the bench for four innings, the Australian walked in and rewrote the match in 22 balls, with a devastating 24-run final over that exposed Rajasthan's death bowling and handed Punjab Kings a fighting total. In T20, opportunity and form colliding is rare; when they do, the results are explosive.
Key Takeaways
Marcus Stoinis scored an unbeaten 62 off 22 balls (strike rate: 281.81 ) for Punjab Kings on 28 April 2026 .
Stoinis had managed only 27 runs across four innings before this match, making his impact all the more significant.
He struck two sixes off Jofra Archer and plundered 24 runs in the final over bowled by Brijesh Sharma .
Punjab Kings finished at 222/4 against Rajasthan Royals at New Chandigarh .
Stoinis noted the pitch was slower than typical IPL venues, with limited turn on offer.
Marcus Stoinis delivered a match-defining late assault on 28 April 2026, hammering an unbeaten 62 off 22 balls (strike rate: 281.81) to propel Punjab Kings to 222/4 against Rajasthan Royals in the IPL 2026 at New Chandigarh. The Australian all-rounder's explosive cameo came after he had managed just 27 runs across four innings earlier in the tournament, making his impact all the more significant.
How Stoinis turned the match
Stoinis began by taking on Jofra Archer with measured aggression, striking two consecutive sixes — one over deep midwicket and another straight down the ground. However, it was the penultimate over bowled by Brijesh Sharma where the Australian truly changed the complexion of the innings. After a dot ball, Stoinis flicked past short fine leg, launched a full toss over wide long-on, smashed a waist-high delivery over cow corner, and launched another over extra cover. He finished the over with a low full toss sent past square leg, scoring 24 runs in that single over and sealing the momentum for Punjab Kings.
What Stoinis said post-match
"Enjoyed that — it has been a different season, watching the boys smack it all around the park. Nice to get a hit tonight," Stoinis reflected, acknowledging his limited opportunities before this match. He credited his team's top-order batting display and noted that Rajasthan's spinners executed well despite the pitch being slower than expected. "If you can make an impact in a couple of overs, it can change things," he added, suggesting that even brief interventions in T20 cricket can prove decisive.
The pitch and RR's bowling
Stoinis observed that the New Chandigarh surface played slower than typical IPL venues, with limited turn on offer. Rajasthan's spin attack adapted well to these conditions, but the Australian's late-order onslaught exposed the vulnerability of death bowling in the final overs. His ability to read length and convert slower deliveries into boundaries underscored the fine margins between control and collapse in T20 cricket.
What's next for Punjab Kings
With 222 now on the board, Punjab Kings will look to defend this total and build momentum in the tournament. Stoinis's performance suggests that the team's middle-order depth — often a concern in T20 leagues — has a potent weapon when form aligns with opportunity. His contributions could prove crucial as Punjab navigates the remainder of the IPL 2026 season.
Point of View
But once Stoinis arrived with a clear mandate to attack, the lack of a death-bowling specialist became glaring. Punjab's ability to find impact players in unexpected moments — whether through form or desperation — is what separates tournament contenders from also-rans. One explosive over shouldn't paper over earlier batting collapses, but it's a reminder that in T20, context and timing matter as much as skill.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many runs did Marcus Stoinis score in his IPL 2026 cameo?
Stoinis scored an unbeaten 62 off 22 balls with a strike rate of 281.81 against Rajasthan Royals on 28 April 2026. He had managed only 27 runs across four innings before this match.
Which bowlers did Stoinis target during his innings?
Stoinis took on Jofra Archer with two consecutive sixes early in his cameo, but his most devastating attack came against Brijesh Sharma in the penultimate over, where he scored 24 runs off six balls.
What was the final total scored by Punjab Kings?
Punjab Kings finished at 222/4 against Rajasthan Royals, with Stoinis's late-order assault providing the crucial acceleration in the final overs.
Why did Stoinis describe IPL 2026 as a 'different season' for him?
Stoinis had limited opportunities early in the tournament, facing just 27 balls across four innings before getting his chance against Rajasthan. His comment reflected the frustration of being sidelined and the satisfaction of finally making an impact when called upon.
How did Stoinis assess the pitch conditions at New Chandigarh?
Stoinis noted that the pitch was slower than typical IPL venues with limited turn on offer, which he said allowed Rajasthan's spinners to execute their plans effectively in the middle overs.
