KATHMANDU: In a nail-biting encounter at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, Rajasthan Royals (RR) emerged victorious over Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Match 27 of the TATA IPL 2024, thanks to a spectacular finish by Shimron Hetmyer.

Opting to field first after winning the toss, RR’s disciplined bowling restricted PBKS to 147/8.

Despite a sluggish start, PBKS tried to build momentum towards the end, with Ashutosh Sharma’s late cameo of 31 runs off just 16 balls providing a much-needed boost.

Chasing 148 for victory, RR got off to a steady start with openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Tanush Kotian scoring 43/0 in the Powerplay.

However, the boundaries didn’t flow easily, leading to frustrations. Although wickets fell at regular intervals, captain Sanju Samson’s aggressive knock and Hetmyer’s explosive finish ensured RR’s victory.

Hetmyer’s unbeaten 27 off just 10 balls, including consecutive sixes in the final over, propelled RR to victory in a tightly-contested match.

With this win, RR notched up their fifth win of the season, showcasing their resilience and determination in the tournament.

The thrilling encounter highlighted the competitive spirit of both teams, setting the stage for more exciting clashes in the TATA IPL 2024.