Rajasthan Royals chase 223 to beat PBKS by 6 wickets

Rajasthan Royals secured a thrilling six-wicket victory over Punjab Kings on Tuesday, chasing down a target of 223 with four balls to spare at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh, handing the hosts their first defeat of IPL 2026.

Punjab Kings posted 222 for four after being put in to bat on a hard pitch offering bounce. Prabhsimran Singh anchored the innings with 59 off 44 balls, while Priyansh Arya made 29 off 11 and Cooper Connolly contributed 30 off 14. Marcus Stoinis then unleashed a late blitz, remaining unbeaten on 62 off 22 balls with six sixes and four boundaries, including 24 off the final over from Brijesh Sharma. Rajasthan's bowlers leaked 55 runs in the last three overs, but young legspinner Yash Raj took two for 41, dismissing Connolly and Prabhsimran with clever variations in pace and flight. Jofra Archer claimed one for 40.

In reply, Rajasthan Royals raced to 66 for one in the powerplay, led by 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's explosive 43 off 16 balls, featuring five sixes and three fours against Arshdeep Singh, Lockie Ferguson, and Marco Jansen. Yashasvi Jaiswal built on the momentum with 51 off 27 balls alongside...