Mumbai, April 12: Sanju Samson's magnificent century went in vain as Punjab Kings pulled off a 4-run win against Rajasthan Royals in Match 4 of IPL 2021 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Monday (April 12).
Earlier, KL Rahul and Deepak Hooda pummelled the Royals bowlers into submission with their sensational stroke play, powering Punjab Kings to an imposing 221 for six in their alloted 20 overs.
Chasing the big target, Rajasthan Royals could score 217 for 7 in their 20 overs with Samson top-scoring with 119 from 63 balls. He hit 12 fours and seven sixes.
While Rahul top-scored with 91 off 40 balls, Hooda smashed 64 off 28 and Chris Gayle added 40 off 2 balls. IPL debutant Chetan Sakariya was the pick of the Rajasthan bowlers with three wickets for 31 runs in four overs.
It was Rahul and Hooda's show at the Wankhede that made the difference to their total as the duo tore into the opposition attack on way to to their 105-run stand. Courtesy their monstrous hitting, Punjab added 111 runs in the final eight overs.
Here is how Match 4 of IPL 2021 between RR and PBKS happened:
End of the match: Sanju Samson's century goes in vain as Punjab hold the nerve to pull off a 4-run victory.
WICKET! Arshdeep strikes and wins the game for Punjab as Samson gets caught at deep cover by Hooda for 119 off 63 balls. RR - 217/6 in 20 overs.
Dot ball! Samson decides against running despite hitting into the deep. 5 from 1 now.
SIX! Samson connects well as he hits Arshdeep over extra cover for a maximum. 5 from 2 now to win.
Morris can't get it past Gayle at covers, Another single to RR. Samson on strike now as Royals need 11 from 3 balls.
Samson gets a single of the second ball. Gets Morris on strike. Royals now need 12 from 4 balls.
Arshdeep starts with a Dot ball. 13 from 5 now.
Meredith finishes well in the penultimate over as he concedes just 8 runs from it. Royals need 13 from 6 balls to win with Samson on strike for the final over.
SIX! Samson flicks Meredith for his sixth maximum of the night. RR need 14 from 8 balls to win.
WICKET! Meredith removes Tewatia for 2. Are Punjab back on top? Or will Sanju Samson take Royals home? RR - 201/6 in 18.1 overs.
19 runs come from Richardson's final over and the Aussie pacer ends with figures of 1 for 55. RR - 201/5 in 18 overs, need 21 off 12 balls to win.
200 up for Royals in the 18th over
FOUR and Century for Samson in his captaincy debut. Can he take his team all the way now? Royals need 26 from 15 balls.
FOUR and SIX! Samson starts Richardson's over with back-to-back boundaries and moves to 98. RR - 192/5 in 17.2 overs.
FOUR! Samson drives Shami straight down the ground and the fielder at long on misses the ball. RR 182/5 in 17 overs.
Tewatia joins his skipper in the middle and will look for a repeat performance of last season.
WICKET! Shami strikes again as he dismisses Riyan Parag for 25. RR - 175/5 in 16.2 overs.
Shami resumes play after the strategic time out and starts with a wide. Royals now need 47 off 24 to win.
At the fourth and final time out, Royals reach 174/4 in 16 overs with Samson unbeaten on 83 off 49 balls and Parag unbeaten on 25 off 9 balls. Royals need 48 off 24 to win.
SIX! SIX! Parag this time smashes Ashwin inside out for back-to-back sixes. RR - 173/4 in 15.5 overs.
SIX! Samson welcomes Ashwin back into the attack with a maximum and moves to 82. RR - 160/4 in 15.1 overs.
Second successive over goes for 13 runs as Royals get back on track in run chase. RR - 154/4 in 15 overs.
FOUR and SIX! Samson moves on to 75 as he hits Jhye Richardson for back-to-back boundaries. RR - 153/4 in 14.4 overs.
13 runs come from Shami's third over. RR - 141/4 in 14 overs.
SIX! Parag hits Shami over deep mid-wicket for his first maximum. RR - 139/4 in 13.4 overs.
FOUR! Samson flicks Shami for another boundary as Royals skipper looks to take his team close to the target. RR -132/4 in 13.2 overs.
FOUR! Riyan Parag off the mark with a boundary to end Arshdeep's over. RR - 128/4 in 13 overs.
WICKET! Arshdeep removes Dube as Hooda takes a good catch at long off. RR - 123/4 in 12.4 overs.
FOUR! Dube gets his third boundary as he welcomes back Arshdeep Singh with a straight drive. RR - 121/3 in 12.1 overs.
8 runs come from Ashwin's third over. RR are 117/3 in 12 overs, need another 105 runs to win from 48 balls.