IPL 2026: Royals chase 223 to inflict first defeat on Punjab

Rajasthan Royals completed a successful chase of 223 with four balls to spare to end Punjab Kings’ unbeaten run.

Royals’ dynamic opening duo of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi blitzed 51 in 3.1 overs, before the latter fell for 43 from just 16 balls.

Jaiswal kicked on to make 51 but Punjab’s bowlers dragged back 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 from 34 balls to complete the chase.

Ferreira struck his third six to simultaneously hit the winning runs and reach his 26-ball fifty, while Dubey finished unbeaten on 31 off 12.

Punjab had also made an explosive start with Prabhsimran Singh scoring 59 and Priyansh Arya whacking 29 off 11 balls in the powerplay before he was dismissed by Jofra Archer.

Australia’s Marcus Stoinis ensured that the innings did not lose its momentum as he crashed 62 not out from just 22 balls with four fours and six sixes as Punjab finished on 222-4.

Punjab remain top of the table despite defeat, with six wins from eight, while the crucial win takes the Royals up to third behind Royal Challengers Bengaluru. (BBC)