IPL 2021: Best 3 matches between Rajasthan Royals and Punjab Kings

Punjab Kings will locks horns against Rajasthan Royals in their first match of the 14th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on April 12. The two teams will be looking forward to improving their performance from the previous year as RR finished as the wooden-spooners in IPL 2020 while PBKS made a comeback after a torrid start but ended at sixth position.

As far as the history of RR and PBKS is concerned, the two teams have faced each other in a total of 21 IPL matches thus far. Out of 21 games, Rajasthan emerged victorious in 12 fixtures while PBKS outplayed them in the rest of the nine matches. Interestingly, the two sides have never met in an IPL playoff match. As they take on each other on April 11, let’s take a look at some of the-

Best matches between Rajasthan Royals and Punjab Kings

1. RR vs PBKS, Sharjah, 2020

Featuring in their first clash against each other in IPL 2020, Royals and Kings produced a thrilling affair at the Sharjah Cricket Ground. The high-scoring clash saw Punjab batting first and racking a mammoth total of 223 runs on the board. Mayank Agarwal smashed a scintillating 106 runs off just 50 deliveries, while skipper KL Rahul also played a sublime knock of 69 runs.

Chasing 224, RR got off to a good start as Steve Smith and Sanju Samson added 50 and 85 runs respectively to the scoreboard. However, the game was owned by Rahul Tewatia as batting at number four, he turned into a hero from the villain by smashing five sixes off Sheldon Cottrell in the 18th over to help RR chase the target. Royals managed to score 226 runs in 19.3 overs and won the game by four wickets.

2. RR vs PBKS, Ahmedabad, 2015

Playing in the 18th league match of the IPL 2015, RR and PBKS entertained the viewers with a thrilling affair. Put to bat first, Rajasthan posted 191 runs on the board courtesy opening batsmen Ajinkya Rahane and Shane Watson as they played sublime knocks of 74 and 45 runs, respectively. Chasing 192, PBKS got off to a torrid run as they lost both their opening batsmen within seven overs. 

They needed close to 14 an over in the last eight overs but they somehow managed to tie it from there. In the Super Over, facing Chris Morris, Punjab scored 15 runs while losing two wickets. However, Rajasthan failed to play Mitchell Johnson properly and could score only six runs. 

3. RR vs PBKS, Mohali, 2019

The second encounter between Rajasthan Royals and Punjab Kings in Mohali saw another entertaining game. Batting first, KL Rahul showed his class as he played an important knock of 52 runs. He was supported by David Miller, who added 40 runs to the scoreboard. For RR, Jofra Archer emerged as the highest run-getter with three wickets.

Batting in the second innings, Rahul Tripathi scored 50 runs alongside Jos Buttler, who smashed 23 runs off 17 deliveries to give RR a flying start. However, the team failed to capitalize the lead as they fell 12 runs short of the target.