IPL 2021: Match 4, RR vs PBKS – Punjab Kings Player Ratings

Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) produced an absolute masterclass on Monday in the fourth match of the 2021 Indian Premier League (IPL). At the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, both teams were involved in a high-scoring thriller.

However, after a lot of twists and turns, it was the Punjab-based franchise, who came up trumps by four runs to open their account in the league. After electing to field first, the Royals’ bowlers went all around the park as PBKS notched 221 in their 20 overs.

But in the run-chase, RR skipper Sanju Samson put on an absolute spectacle, scoring 119 runs off 63 balls with 12 fours and seven sixes. His efforts went in vain as his team fell tantalisingly short. The pitch had absolutely nothing for the bowlers and the batsmen, well and truly, made hay.

Here are the PBKS Player Ratings for the RR vs PBKS match:

KL Rahul- 9.5/10

KL Rahul, the PBKS skipper, played with responsibility until the last over. He was circumspect to start with but pressed the accelerator later. He scored 91 runs off 50 balls with seven fours and five sixes. Chetan Sakariya got his wicket.

Mayank Agarwal- 3/10

Mayank Agarwal didn’t have the day he would have expected to. The right-hander started with a couple of fours but then edged one off Sakariya. He scored a nine-ball 14 before getting out.

Chris Gayle- 7/10

Chris Gayle had his moments as well. The Universe Boss smashed 40 runs off 28 balls and he smashed four fours and two sixes. Riyan Parag induced a false stroke from the big man after which Ben Stokes took a sharp catch.

Deepak Hooda- 9.5/10

Deepak Hooda made sure that PBKS didn’t lose any momentum in the middle overs. He got to his fifty off 20 balls and ended with a 28-ball 64. He smacked four fours and six massive hits over the ropes.

Nicholas Pooran- 1/10

Nicholas Pooran couldn’t make an impact with the bat in hand. The left-hander came to bat in the 18th over and ended up bagging a golden duck. It was Chris Morris, who accounted for his prized scalp.

Shahrukh Khan- 5/10

Shahrukh Khan, making his debut for PBKS, came to bat with only 12 balls left in the innings. He hit one four and stayed unbeaten on six. He would be looking for more chances going forward in the league.

Jhye Richardson- 4.5/10

Jhye Richardson turned out to be the most expensive bowler for Punjab on the day. In his four overs, the pacer went for 55 runs. However, he got the important wicket of Jos Buttler with a well-disguised slower delivery.

Murugan Ashwin- 2/10

Murugan Ashwin didn’t have much to rejoice in the game. The pitch hardly had anything for him as he went for 43 runs in his four overs. The leg-spinner managed to bowl seven dot deliveries.

Mohammed Shami- 9/10

Mohammed Shami got the wicket of Ben Stokes upfront to push the Royals on the backfoot. Then he nipped out Riyan Parag with a short delivery. In four overs, he gave away only 33 runs at an economy rate of 8.25.

Riley Meredith- 4/10

Riley Meredith started his IPL career after being hit by Buttler for four fours in a row and he conceded 18 in his first over. Though he had economy rate of 12.25, he got the important wicket of Rahul Tewatia.

Arshdeep Singh- 9.5/10

Arshdeep Singh was exceptional throughout. In four overs, he picked three wickets and conceded only 35 runs. Most importantly, he bowled stupendously in the last over, restricting the Royals.