Rajasthan Royals (RR) slumped to their fourth successive defeat in IPL 2024 when Punjab Kings (PBKS) beat them by five wickets, in pursuit of 145, in match 65 in Guwahati on Wednesday (May 15). After a terrific start, having 8 wins in 9 games, RR have now lost four games on the trot despite confirming their place in the playoffs. With another defeat, their chances of finishing the league stage at the top-two has also gone down considerably. 

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Following the five-wicket drubbing at the hands of already-eliminated Punjab, RR captain Sanju Samson didn’t mince words as he called for the senior players to stand up. Speaking after the match, Samson stated, “To be very honest, we have to sit back and accept that we are going through some failures. You have to find out what’s not working well as a team. When you are getting to the business end, we need someone to raise their finger up and say I am going to win the game for the team.

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Samson added, “We have the players who can do that. If all of us try that. It’s a team sport, but this is the time when we need individual players to step up.”

Talking about the RR-PBKS tie, Rajasthan opted to bat first and rode on Riyan Parag’s 48 to post 144 for 9 on a sluggish surface. Despite having PBKS reduced to 48-4, RR failed to close the game as Punjab stand-in skipper Sam Curran stood tall with an impressive 41-ball 63 to guide his side home in 18.5 overs.

RR have been one of the most formidable sides in the past few seasons and done well too, however, they have often lost momentum in the business end and the same thing is repeating this time around as well. They have also not been helped by the fact that they are now without some key players like Jos Buttler, who has left for national duty. 

RR have one more game to play, where they will host Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) – who will end the league stage as the top-ranked side – in Guwahati and hope to return to winning ways before the playoffs start next week. 

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