IPL 2021, Match 32: PBKS vs RR, Stats Review: KL Rahul, Arshdeep Singh reach significant milestones amid RR’s jailbreak

Rajasthan Royals have kick-started the second leg of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 in emphatic fashion, registering a two-run triumph against Punjab Kings. Chasing 186 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, the Punjab-based side was in command for the major part. However, some major drama in the last few overs turned the tide in Rajasthan’s favour. As a result, KL Rahul’s men were restricted to 183/4.

Earlier in the game, the coin landed in PBKS’ favour and KL Rahul opted to bowl. The decision didn’t seem fruitful at the start as RR openers Evin Lewis and Yashasvi Jaiswal went after the bowlers from the outset. While the duo wreaked havoc in the powerplay overs, Liam Livingstone and Mahipal Lomror continued the onslaught in the middle overs.

With the Men in Pink being 136/4 in 14 overs, fans expected some fireworks in the end overs. However, Punjab bowlers bounced back and took wickets in the flurry. As a result, the Royals got bundled out for 185 runs. While Arshdeep Singh took a five-fer, Mohammed Shami took three wickets.

Chasing the competitive total, Punjab Kings got off to a stellar start as openers Rahul and Mayank Agarwal added 120 runs for the first wicket. As a result, the equation came down to Punjab needing 38 from 30 balls with as many as eight wickets in hand. However, some brilliant death bowling from Kartik Tyagi and Mustafizur Rahman took RR over the line.

Meanwhile, here are the important stats and numbers from the PBKS vs RR clash in IPL 2021:

3 – Adil Rashid played 201 T20 matches before making his IPL debut, third-most by any player. Dawid Malan (227) and Joe Denly (202) are above the Punjab Kings leg-spinner on this list.

2 – KL Rahul became the second-fastest player to complete 3000 IPL runs, getting the feat in 80 innings. Chris Gayle got the landmark in 75 innings.

380 –Rahul is now the joint-leading run-scorer in IPL 2021, having scored 380 runs. Delhi Capitals’ Shikhar Dhawan has also scored as many runs.

3 – Arshdeep Singh becomes the third-youngster bowler (23 years 228 days) to take a five-fer in IPL. Jaydev Unadkat (21 years 204 days) and Alzarri Joseph (22 years 137 days) occupy the top two spots.

2 – Arshdeep became the second bowler after Anil Kumble to take a five-wicket haul against RR in IPL.

4 – Arshdeep also becomes the fourth uncapped Indian player to bag a five-wicket haul in IPL. Harshal Patel, Ankit Rajpoot and  Varun Chakravarthy are the others with the feat.

2 – 3/23 are Shami’s second-best figures in IPL. In 2020, he registered figures of 3/15 against Delhi Capitals.

49 – Yashasvi Jaiswal recorded his highest score in IPL. He scored 49 off 36 deliveries.

2000 – Mayank Agarwal completes 2000 runs in IPL. He achieved the feat in 96 innings.

6 – Mayank Agarwal and KL Rahul became the sixth pair to have five or more century stands in IPL.

3 – Kartik Tyagi became the third bowler after Siddharth Trivedi and Munaf Patel to successfully defend less than six runs in the final over.