A stunning half-century from Sikandar Raza followed a sensational finish from Sharukh Khan saw PBKS edge over LSG by the margin of two wickets in match number 21 of the IPL 2023 at the Ekana Stadium. LSG registered their first defeat at their home.

The coin spun in Punjab’s favour, as they opted to field first. LSG openers got off to a brisk start as the duo of KL Rahul and Kyle Mayers added 55 runs in 7.3 overs, Harpreet Brar drew the first blood for PBKS as Mayers departed for well made 29 from 23 balls. In the very next over, Sikandar Raza trapped Deepak Hooda in front for 2 runs.

However, Skipper KL Rahul and Krunal kept the scoreboard ticking as the duo added 48 runs for third wicket. Kagiso Rabada, not only broke the good-going partnership but also struck twice in two balls removing the set Krunal Pandya for 18 and in-form Nicholas Pooran for a golden duck, leaving LSG in trouble at 111/4 in 15^th over.

Meanwhile, KL Rahul rose to his 32^nd Half-century, he along with Marcus  Stoinis added 31 runs in the course of 20 balls before Stoinis got dismissed for 11-ball 15 run cameo. KL Rahul amassed 74 runs that included nine boundaries, eventually helping LSG post a defendable total of 159/8 in 20 overs. Chasing 160, openers fell cheaply as they succumbed to debutant Yudhvir Singh Charak’s dominance. Matthew Short then kept the scoreboard ticking with his 22-ball 34 runs cameo, he along with Harpreet Singh added 28 runs for third wicket. Krishnappa Gowtham then ended Shorts’ stay at the close of the powerplay.

Sikandar Raza then joined hands with Singh as the duo added 30 runs for the fourth wicket, when the partnership started to threaten LSG Krunal Pandya broke the partnership by inviting Singh to go for big hitting.  Sikandar Raza, kept the chase going on by smacking 17 runs from Krunal’s over. Ravi Bishnoi was given the ball in the 15^th over, in his very third delivery he sent skipper packing with a googly.  Meanwhile, Raza rose to his maiden IPL fifty before getting dismissed for 57 runs. Cameo of 10-ball 23 at the end from Shahrukh Khan helped PBKS edge over LSG in a nervy run-chase by two wickets.

Meanwhile let us look at the stats and numbers from 21st game  of IPL 2023 between LSG and PBKS:
105 -KL Rahul completed 4000 runs in IPL, becoming the fastest player to achieve this feat, bettering Chris Gayle’s tally of 112 innings.

2000 -KL Rahul completed 2000 runs as captain in IPL.

34 -KL Rahul now has 34 50+ scores in IPL, the joint-third highest by an opener in IPL along with Gautam Gambhir and Chris Gayle. David Warner tops the list with 56 50+ scores, followed by Shikhar Dhawan with 47.

2 – Delhi Capitals became the second team alongside Mumbai to lose five or more consecutive matches twice before registering their first win in a season of IPL.

Most consecutive losses at the start of the IPL season

8 – MI 2022

6 – DC   2013

6 – RCB 2019

5 – DC 2012 (Deccan Chargers)

5 – MI 2014

5 – DC 2023

1 –PBKS became the first team to beat LSG at their home.

3981 -Harpreet Singh Bhatia played his IPL game after 3981 days which is the longest gap for a player between two games in IPL.

Longest gap between two appearances in IPL:

3981 days Harpreet Singh Bhatia between 2012 & 2023

3962 days Matthew Wade between 2011 & 2022

3242 days Wayne Parnell between 2014 & 2023

2899 days Rilee Rossouw between 2015 & 2023

2862 days Colin Ingram between 2011 & 2019

1 -Punjab Kings registered their first win against LSG in IPL.