Skipper Sam Curran led Punjab Kings to a five-wicket win over Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League (IPL) on Wednesday, providing a consolation victory for the team.
Punjab chased a target of 145 on a slow pitch, relying on Curran's unbeaten 63 to reach the target with seven balls remaining at Rajasthan's adopted home ground in Guwahati.
Curran formed a crucial 63-run partnership with Jitesh Sharma, who scored 22. Despite Sharma's departure in the 16th over, Curran guided the team to lift them from the bottom of the 10-team table.
Impact substitute Ashutosh Sharma hit 17 and scored the winning run, resulting in Rajasthan's fourth consecutive defeat in this T20 tournament.
"To be very honest, we have to sit back and accept that we are going through some failures," said Rajasthan skipper Sanju Samson. "You have to find out what's not working well as a team. When you are getting to the business end, we need someone to raise their finger up and say I am going to win the game for the team. We have the players who can do that."
The loss hurt Rajasthan's chances of a top-two finish in the league stage, a day after confirming their play-off spot.
Rajasthan, who remain in second place with one game left, and table-toppers Kolkata Knight Riders, are the only teams to have secured their play-off berths.
The top four teams advance to the play-offs, with the first and second-placed teams having the advantage of two chances to qualify for the final on May 26 in Chennai.
Punjab, already out of the play-off race, restricted Rajasthan to 144-9 despite a 34-ball 48 by Riyan Parag.
Curran dismissed Yashasvi Jaiswal for four in the first over, and Samson departed for 18 off Nathan Ellis after a slow start.
Parag teamed up with Ravichandran Ashwin, who scored 28 off 19 balls, to push the scoring with a partnership of 50.
The rest of the batting lineup struggled against a disciplined attack as Curran, fellow quick Harshal Patel, and spinner Rahul Chahal each took two wickets.
(AFP)
Nick and Priyanka enjoy a quiet family momentInstagram/PriyankaChopra
Chirag Rao brings the magic of Bollywood hits to life with a jazz twist in his upcoming Bollywood Bratpack concert
Nazeem Hussain prepares to bring his unique comedic style to Leicester Square Theatre for his highly anticipated You Paid For This show
Jewel Thief – The Heist Begins: Despite a star-studded cast, this Netflix release is shaping up to be another disappointing addition to the streaming platform
Isabelle Kaif’s journey in Bollywood continues to be plagued by setbacks, with her upcoming film Suswagatam Khushamadeed facing an uncertain future
Abir Gulaal brings together Fawad Khan and Vaani Kapoor in a cross-border romantic comedy, offering a refreshing message of love and unity
Manoj Kumar, a true Bollywood legend, leaves behind a legacy of iconic films that celebrated patriotism and meaningful storytelling
Manoj Kumar’s legacy in Bollywood is defined by his iconic roles and patriotic cinema that resonated deeply with audiences for generations
Ranjeet reflects on his legendary Bollywood career, sharing intriguing behind-the-scenes tales from his iconic villain roles in an exclusive interview
Ambika Mod takes centre stage in Porn Play, an intriguing and thought-provoking production at the Royal Court, expected to be one of the year's most in-demand theatre events
Emraan Hashmi hopes for a career revival with a sequel to Awarapan, but his recent track record leaves many confused about his comeback