IPL 2023: Cricket fraternity reacts as Shikhar Dhawan, Nathan Ellis star in PBKS' 5-run win over RR

PBKS have now won both of their opening matches.

 The 8^th match of the IPL 2023 saw the Rajasthan Royals (RR) hosting the Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati, Assam, which hosted its first IPL game ever on April 5, 2023.

PBKS came into this match with a win over Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in their tournament opener, while RR defeated SRH in their first match of the season.

Sanju Samson, the RR captain won the toss and chose to bowl first. Prabhsimran Singh scored 60 runs in 34 balls to give PBKS a flying start, but then it was the Shikhar Dhawan show as the skipper slammed 86* in 56 balls with 9 fours and 3 sixes. Jitesh Sharma also made 27 runs with PBKS posting 197/4 in 20 overs.

IPL 2023: Shikhar Dhawan, and Nathan Ellis help PBKS win their second game of the season; defeating RR by 5 runs

In reply, RR just couldn’t get going with Sanju Samson (42 in 25) and Riyan Parag (20 in 12) getting starts but couldn’t go on to play innings like Dhawan. However, Shimron Hetmyer (36 in 18) and impact player substitute Dhruv Jurel (32* in 15) brought RR closer to the target.

But in the end, RR finished on 192/7 in 20 overs and lost the game by 5 runs. For PBKS, Nathan Ellis (4/30) was on fire, getting big wickets of Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson Devdutt Padikkal, and Riyan Parag.

RR will next face off against Chennai Super Kings in Chepauk on April 12, while PBKS will travel to Hyderabad to face Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 9.

The cricket fraternity was all praiseful for the PBKS performance and lauded Shikhar Dhawan for his knock.

Here are the tweets: