Punjab Kings (PBKS) skipper Shreyas Iyer missed out on fielding in the match against Rajasthan Royals (RR) due to an injury to his right index finger sustained during practice. Stepping in for him as captain was Shashank Singh, who led PBKS to a 10-run triumph.
“I was struck on the finger while practising yesterday, so I’m unsure of the exact issue. I’ll need to get it checked,” Shreyas reported post-match, with his finger wrapped up.
Shreyas contributed 30 off 25 balls after winning the toss and opting to bat first, before being substituted for their Impact Player, Harpreet Brar, at the beginning of RR’s innings. PBKS posted an impressive 219 for 5, boosted by half-centuries from Nehal Wadhera and stand-in captain Shashank Singh.
However, Rajasthan’s openers, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Suryavanshi, commenced the chase energetically, amassing 67 without loss by the sixth over. It was here that Brar, a left-arm spinner, made a critical impact. He dismantled the opening partnership by removing Suryavanshi and went on to claim Jaiswal and Riyan Parag, finishing with sterling figures of 3 for 22.
“[Brar] has consistently performed in the nets, striving for his best. Today, he seized the opportunity and excelled,” Shreyas acknowledged. “Congrats to him for his efforts and mindset throughout.”
While typical wisdom suggests that left-arm spinners face challenges against left-handed batters, Brar disproved this by dismissing both RR left-handed openers. Reflecting on his game plan, Brar shared, “Ricky Ponting, our head coach, inspired me to believe that left-arm spinners can dismiss left-handed batters. I focused on maintaining my line and not giving away easy runs.”
Brar’s disciplined approach restricted RR’s early progress in the powerplay. “They were great players on a cooperative pitch. I wanted to minimise easy boundaries, making them earn it if they attacked,” he explained after being named Player of the Match.
In conclusion, despite Shreyas’s absence in the field, PBKS’s strategy and Brar’s exceptional performance proved decisive, securing a well-earned victory over RR.
