Yashasvi Jaiswal and Devdutt Padikkal scored fine half centuries as Rajasthan Royals kept their hopes alive by defeating the Punjab Kings by 4 wickets at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala on Friday.
After being asked to bat first by Rajasthan Royals skipper, Punjab got off to poor start as Prabhsimran Singh (2) chipped a return catch to Trent Boult in the very first over.
The pair of Shikhar Dhawan and Atharva Taide added 36 runs for the second wicket before the latter miscued a pull off Navdeep Saini to Devdutt Padikkal at mid wicket for 19.
Dhawan (17) was then trapped leg before wicket while attempting a sweep off Adam Zampa. Punjab were in further trouble when Liam Livingstone was bowled by Navdeep Saini while attempting a heave.
The pair of Sam Curran and Jitesh Sharma added 64 runs for the fifth wicket before the latter perished to Saini for a 28 ball-44.
Curran (49)* featured in yet another crucial unbeaten 73 run stand for the sixth wicket alongside Shahrukh Khan (41)* to take Punjab to 187/5 in their 20 overs.
Chasing 188, Yashasvi Jaiswal got Rajasthan off to a confident start by smashing Sam Curran for three consecutive fours in the first over. Kagiso Rabada then provided the crucial breakthrough by trapping Jos Buttler leg before wicket for a duck.
Jaiswal and Padikkal then featured in a 73 run stand for the second wicket before the latter sliced a catch to Harpreet Brar at backward point off Arshdeep Singh for 51.
Rahul Chahar then struck a body blow by dismissing Sanju Samson (2), caught at deep square leg by substitute fielder Rishi Dhawan.
Left hander Jaiswal along with Shimron Hetmyer added 47 runs for the fourth wicket before the former (50) was caught at backward point while attempting a switch hit.
Hetmyer and Riyan Parag then added 32 runs for the fifth wicket stand before the former fell to a stunning catch by Shikhar Dhawan at covers for 46.
With 9 needed off the final over Impact Player Dhruv Jurel (10)* held his nerve by smacking Chahar for a boundary to take the Royals to a thrilling 4 wicket win.