When Sam Curran, captain of Punjab Kings, walked onto the field at Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati on the evening of 15 May 2024, he knew the target was modest but the pitch was anything but friendly. The stadium, perched on the outskirts of Assam’s biggest city, had been offering a sluggish bounce all day, and the scoreboard showed the Rajasthan Royals had posted 144/9 in their 20‑over innings. By the time the Kings began their chase, the required run‑rate hovered at 7.20 per over – a number that looked doable on paper but felt steep under the damp lights.
Match Overview
The toss was won by the Royals, who elected to bat first. Their opening partnership teetered, and a series of quick wickets saw them wobble at 48/4 after eight overs. Riyan Parag, the local prodigy, scraped together a fighting 48, exactly one‑third of the total, but the innings crumbled after his dismissal at 138/9. The final wicket fell on the last ball of the 20th over, bowled by Trent Boult, leaving the Royals at 144/9.
Punjab Kings began their reply shakily, slipping to 48/4 in just eight overs. The cramped, low‑bounce surface made every run hard‑won. Yet, the tide turned when Curran, already making his mark with the ball, steadied the innings with a composed 63*.
Rajasthan Royals' Batting Collapse
The Royals' top order never really got going. Yashasvi Jaiswal was out for a mere four runs in the 10.4th over, and captain Sanju Samson fell for 5 at 40/2. Tom Kohler‑Cadmore offered a fleeting 13 before a catch at 42/3. The middle order tried to rebuild, with Ravichandran Ashwin contributing 19 and Dhruv Jurel adding 12, but each wicket came too quickly for momentum to build.
By the 14th over, the Royals were 102/6. A quick cameo from Rovman Powell (11 off 8) gave a glimmer of hope, yet the next two wickets – donning the “Impact Player” badge, Donovan Ferreira and then Parag – sealed the fate. Their final 10 runs came off the last two balls, a bitter finish for a side that had once been on a four‑match winning streak.
Punjab Kings' Chase Rescued by Curran
Punjab's innings resembled a roller‑coaster. After the early wobble to 48/4, the knock‑down point came when Curran, who already claimed 2‑for‑24 with the ball, swung his bat with the same confidence. He partnered with Jonny Bairstow, who added a useful 31 before being caught off a brilliant delivery from Avesh Khan. The partnership of Curran and Arshdeep Singh (15*) steadied the chase, and once the required run‑rate dipped below eight, the Kings found their rhythm.
Curran’s finishing six came off a short ball that rattled the boundary, and he nudged the scoreboard to 145/5 with just seven balls to spare. His all‑round brilliance – 63* not out and 2 wickets – earned him the Player of the Match award and, more importantly, a crucial five‑point lift in the IPL standings.
Bowling Performances and Key Contributors
The Kings’ bowlers set the tone early. Besides Curran’s 2‑for‑24, Rahul Chahar returned figures of 2‑for‑26, while Harshal Patel added 2‑for‑28. Their disciplined lines kept the Royals' run‑rate under 7.30 throughout.
For Rajasthan, the most economical spell came from Yuzvendra Chahal, who bowled 4 overs for 31 runs and claimed two wickets – including the catch of Bairstow. Yet the Royals’ death overs fizzled; Avesh Khan and Trent Boult combined for three wickets in the final five overs, sealing the Kings’ path to victory.
Implications for the IPL Standings
This win nudged Punjab Kings to five victories in the 2024 season, keeping them firmly in the hunt for a top‑two finish. Their net run‑rate, now a healthy +0.32, could become a decisive tiebreaker as the league tightens.
Conversely, the Rajasthan Royals slipped to a four‑match losing streak, jeopardising their playoff hopes. After a dazzling run of four straight wins earlier in the tournament, the Royals now sit outside the automatic qualification spots, and every subsequent match will feel like a must‑win.
Historical Context and Future Outlook
IPL 2024, organized by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), has already delivered a roller‑coaster of surprises. The Guwahati venue, introduced just two seasons ago, is fast becoming a venue where low‑bounce conditions test the adaptability of even the most seasoned batsmen.
Looking ahead, the Kings face a crucial clash against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru next week. A win there could cement their place in the top two. Meanwhile, the Royals must regroup before they face the Sunrisers Hyderabad, a match that may decide whether they linger just outside the playoff picture or pull off a late‑season surge.
Key Facts
- Venue: Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati, Assam
- Date: 15 May 2024
- Result: Punjab Kings 145/5 (18.5 overs) beat Rajasthan Royals 144/9 (20 overs)
- Player of the Match: Sam Curran (63* and 2/24)
- Impact on standings: Kings move to 5‑2, Royals fall to 3‑5
Frequently Asked Questions
How does this win affect Punjab Kings' playoff chances?
The victory lifts the Kings to five wins, improving their points tally and net run‑rate. In a tightly contested table, those two factors could be the difference between a direct semifinal berth and a qualifying final.
What went wrong for Rajasthan Royals in this match?
Early wickets broke their momentum, and the sluggish Guwahati pitch offered little assistance to their middle order. The loss of key batsmen before the 15‑over mark forced a scramble that never materialised.
Who were the standout bowlers for Punjab Kings?
Sam Curran (2/24) and Rahul Chahar (2/26) led the attack, backed by Harshal Patel’s tidy 2/28 spell. Their combined effort kept the Royals under the required run‑rate throughout.
When and where is the IPL 2024 final scheduled?
The season finale is set for 26 May 2024 at the Chepauk Stadium in Chennai, as announced by the BCCI earlier this month.
What does the Guwahati pitch mean for future matches?
The low‑bounce surface favours bowlers who can keep the ball tight. Teams will likely pick extra seamers and adjust batting strategies, especially in the middle overs.
