Royals’ dynamic opening duo of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi bombed for 51 in 3.1 overs, before the latter fell for 43 off just 16 balls.
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Jaiswal kicked to make 51, but the Punjab bowlers regained control in the middle overs, leaving the Royals needing 72 from the last six overs.
But Donovan Ferreira and Shubham Dubey, who came in as an impact player, combined for an unbeaten stand of 77 off 34 balls to complete the chase.
Ferreira hit his third six to simultaneously hit the winning runs and reach his fifty off 26 balls, while Dubey finished unbeaten on 31 off 12.
Punjab also got off to an explosive start with Prabhsimran Singh scoring 59 and Priyansh Arya hitting 29 off 11 balls in the powerplay before he was dismissed by Jofra Archer.
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Australia’s Marcus Stoinis ensured that the innings did not lose its momentum as he smashed 62 not out off just 22 balls with four fours and six sixes as Punjab finished on 222-4.
Punjab remain top of the table despite the defeat, with six wins from eight, while the crucial victory takes the Royals to third place behind Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
scorecard, table
(BBC)
