Rajasthan Royals (RR) suffered a narrow defeat at the hands of Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Match 8 of IPL 2023 at Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati on Wednesday (April 5).
Chasing 198 to win, the Royals were blown away by Nathan Ellis (4-30) before Shimron Hetmyer (35) and 'Impact Player' Dhruv Jurel (32* off 15) forged a 62-run stand to bring them back in the contest. However, PBKS all-rounder Sam Curran defended 15 runs in the last over to restrict RR to 192/7.
During the chase, R Ashwin accompanied Yashasvi Jaiswal at the top instead of regular opener Jos Buttler.
After the game, RR skipper Sanju Samson revealed the reason behind the move, saying that Buttler had picked up a small injury while fielding.
"Jos (Buttler) had a small injury. He was doing his stitches as while fielding he got injured. So the physio wanted some time, time was not there to get the stitches and go to open. The move was to send Ashwin bhai and then holding everyone back.
"He (Buttler) seems fine, I think he should be fine," Samson said in the post-match press conference.
During the match, PBKS batter Bhanuka Rajapaksa also sustained an injury. He was forced to retire hurt on 1 after a powerful drive from Shikhar Dhawan hit him above the wrist-band of his left hand.
Punjab Kings' batting coach Wasim Jaffer provided update on Rajapaksa’s injury and said: “He had a muscular injury. Hopefully he should be alright by the next game.”
Earlier, PBKS rode on Dhawan’s 86* off 56 balls and Prabhsimran Singh’s 34-ball 60 to pile up 197/4 on the board.
Jaffer had special praise reserved for Prabhsimran, who added 90 runs for the opening wicket with Dhawan.
“Apart from this season, he’s never got a consistent run. Jonny Bairstow, KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal have batted at these spots before. And this time, he’s got his chance and has scored consistent runs, so he’s been a fabulous player,” Jaffer told reporters.
“But no matter how good you are, you need a little consistent run, and play a lot more fearlessly. He’s always been a very good player. And he’s come good, which is a good sign since we don’t have Bairstow. I’m really happy with him,” he added.
