PBKS vs RR, 4th Match at Mumbai, IPL, Apr 12 2021 - Match Result

What a contest, eh? Absolutely mindblowing cricket. KL Rahul's innings was of a much better tempo than last year. Deepak Hooda's half-century was fascinating. Chetan Sakariya had an excellent IPL debut. Sanju Samson's 119, and of course, Arshdeep Singh's cool head. This game had everything, and in the end, Punjab Kings, the freshly named Punjab Kings remember, managed to hang on for a tight four-run win. See you tomorrow for Mumbai Indians vs Kolkata Knight Riders...till then, goodnight!

Man of the Match is Sanju Samson for his 119. Samson again: "The second part of my innings was my best IPL performance. But I went back to the basics, communicated with my partners, accepted they were bowling well, rotated strike early and got into my rhythm. I really enjoy my shots, but I come to the present after playing them. When I am in the zone, and watching the ball well, the sixes come out naturally, and in that process I tend to lose my wickets also. Happy to play that way no matter what. (Batting long) mainly about trusting yourself and the process. Didn't do anything extra. My mind was playing, not body. The coin (at the toss) looked brilliant, and I wanted to take it, but the match referee said no."

Winning captain KL Rahul: "Heart rate was high but I didn't stop believing. We knew a couple of wickets would bring us back. Till first 10-11 overs we bowled well. It was close because we dropped a few sitters, including me. As a bowling unit, we bowled as we planned. When you're bowling against Sanju, it's difficult. We weren't thinking of the last year's game (the Tewatia one). Great way to start. We made some mistakes. Bowled well in patches, something bowlers will learn. It's a young team, some new boys, the boys are talented and skillful, so we need to back them. Deepak Hooda's innings was amazing. That's the kind of batting we want to see as a team. We want to bat fearlessly and take down bowlers. We have a lot of power in our line-up but we've been tentatively slightly. Important for us to bat fearlessly, great to see boys trying to understand what we expect. And that they are feeling comfortable to do that role. Good with Hooda's batting, Gayle batted well. I had gone to Arshdeep for crucial overs last year too. He doesn't mind bowling the pressure overs, he seems to enjoy it. He loves being in the contest. Love throwing him the ball. He's pretty clear with what he wants to do."

11.54pm Time for the presentation.... who should the Player of the Match be....Rahul or Arshdeep? Or maybe Samson?

11.45pm Losing captain Samson: I don't have words to explain my feelings. Would have loved to finish it off for my team. I don't think I could have done better than that. I thought I timed it well for a six but somehow... Catches go down and good catches were also taken. It's part of the game.

Arshdeep: The heartbeat was quick earlier, but now it's good. The plan was to keep it simple and wide. The only thing was he could get a four. Still the plan was to keep it simple and wide. The start has been good and the captain has been supportive. That boosts the confidence as a player. The form was good in the 20-over domestic format and that helped me here.

Rahul Sargam: "Though the fact that Meredith was really expensive, you can't deny the fact he brought them into the match by dismissing Tewatia and conceding only 8 runs in a second last over which was the most important over of the match. Both left arm uncapped medium pacers Sakaria and Arshdeep picked 3 wickets and also this is the first time where 2 Indian skippers being a captains and a wicket keepers scored more than 80 runs in a IPL match. Well bowled Arshdeep."

Udayan : "I feel for Samson. Absolutely fantastic innings. Almost won it.He is my MoM!!"

5 needed off the last ball

7-2 off-side heavy field

RR need 13 off the last over. Arshdeep will bowl it

Morris v Meredith

RR need 21 off 12 Meredith to bowl the penultimate over. He's done it at the BBL for the Hurricanes. Can he turn it around on IPL debut?

Shiva Jayaraman: This equals Jhye Richardson's most expensive T20 spells.

Shami finishes his complement of overs and leaves the field. Richardson