IPL 2020 Live Updates: Rajasthan defeat Punjab by 4 wickets, register 2nd win on trot

Smashing a boundary, Tom Curran guided Rajasthan past the winning line as Smith & Co. defeated Punjab by 4 wickets in an absolute thriller

Bowling the last over, M Ashwin has dismissed Riyan Parag with Rajasthan needed 2 off 4 balls

Just before departing, Rahul Tewatia hammered Punjab bowlers as he brought up his 50 in just 30 balls. Rajasthan need 2 runs off the last over.

Archer hits Shami for two maximums, Rajasthan need 8 off 8

Dismissing Robin Uthappa, Mohammad Shami bagged another wicket. Jofra Archer walks in to bat

Amassing 30 runs off Sheldon Cottrell's 18th over, Tewatia hit the Caribbean bowler for 5 sixes!

Hurt by Samson's departure, Tewatia seems to have taken things into his hands as he smacked Cottrell for four huge maximums in a row

Just pressure mounted upon Samson, Mohammad Shami has got the significant wicket of Sanju Samson ending his innings for 85 depriving him of a well-deserved century

Sanju Samson strikes Maxwell for two huge sixes in pursuit of the mammoth total. Rajasthan need 63 off 24  

Promoted ahead of Robin Uthappa to slog freely, Rahul Tewatia has been struggling to time shot giving Punjab an edge over Rajasthan. Rajasthan are 130/2 after 13.4 overs

A powerfully struck shot by Sanju Samson was saved by Mayank Agarwal from being a boundary, which even Jonty Rhodes could not help but applaud 

Sanju Samson has been granted a lifeline as young Ravi Bishnoi drops his catch at long-off leaving Glenn Maxwell furious

Getting Punjab the much-needed breakthrough, Jimmy Neesham dismissed a well-set Steve Smith, Rajasthan are 100/2

Skipper Steve Smith has been leading his team from the front as he has now brought up his 10th IPL half-century.

Just as Punjab notched up the highest powerplay score of the IPL 2020, Rajasthan have broken the record while chasing their total as they registered 69 runs in the first 6 overs

Smith & Samson continue to anchor Rajasthan's innings as they take their team to 69/1 at the end of 6 overs.

Despite Buttler's earlier dismissal, skipper Steve Smith and Sanju Samson continue to strike as Rajasthan reach 44/1 after 4 overs

Buttler departs for a 4-ball 7.

Rajasthan are 19/2.

Rajasthan are 19/0 after 2 overs.

Buttler & skipper Steve Smith open the innings for Rajasthan. Cottrell begins proceedings for Punjab

The 2008 winners are 11/0 after 1.

"It feels amazing (to get the hundred), but more importantly we got good runs. You got to give yourself some time, because it's not as easy as it seems. It was holding up a bit, just one of those days when you're striking well and you keep going. I'm a lot more calmer than before, backing myself and giving myself a lot of time. Lots of hard work in the nets, it's paying off now," said Mayank Agarwal post his century

Punjab have put on a stunning display of batting at Sharjah as they end their first innings with 232 runs at the cost of just 20 overs. 

Rajasthan bag a wicket as Tom Curran dismisses man of the moment Mayank Agarwal who departs after scoring 106

Trying to continue to the on-slaught, skipper KL Rahul was dismissed by ex-Punjab player Ankit Rajpoot who got his first wicket for Rajasthan

Punjab opener Mayank Agarwal has smashed his maiden IPL ton as he continues to torment Rajasthan bowlers. Punjab are 172/0 at the end of 15 overs

Just as Rajasthan continue to turn to different bowlers seeking a breakthrough, Steve Smith & Co. are unable to find answers as the Punjab openers continue to wreak havoc. Punjab are 161/0 at the end of 14 overs

As Punjab openers continue to hammer Rajasthan bowlers, KL Rahul has brought up his half-century after Mayank Agarwal. Punjab are 133/0 after 11.5 overs

Rahul-Agarwal continue to wreak havoc, Punjab have crossed the 100-run mark within 9 overs. KL Rahul's side are 102/0

On his road to wreaking havoc at Sharjah, Mayank Agarwal has brought his second 50 of IPL 2020 with a maximum

Continuing their carnage, the Punjab openers attacked Rahul Tewatia in his first over itself, as they earned 19 runs with two 2 maximums and a four. Punjab are 86/0 at the end of 8 overs

Punjab are off to a great start courtesy of Mayank Agarwal and Kl Rahul's smart striking. The duo is scoring at a strike rate of 147 and 140, respectively. Punjab have also registered the highest score at the end of powerplay in IPL 2020

As the powerplay ends, Punjab have scored at 10 runs per over, taking their total to 60 runs off just 6 overs. KL Rahul & Mayank Agarwal continue to keep the scoreboard ticking

KL Rahul has surpassed Faf du Plessis as the highest run scorer of the tournament, Punjab are 58/0 at the end of 5 overs

Rahul joined Mayank Agarwal as he went after Jofra Archer in his first over itself. The skipper hit 3 consecutive boundaries getting 13 run of his over. Punjab are 41/0 at the end of 4 overs

Rahul joined Mayank Agarwal as he went after Jofra Archer in his first over itself. The skipper hit 3 consecutive boundaries getting 13 run of his over. Punjab are 41/0 at the end of 4 overs

Rahul joined Mayank Agarwal as he went after Jofra Archer in his first over itself. The skipper hit 3 consecutive boundaries getting 13 run of his over. Punjab are 41/0 at the end of 4 overs

Rahul joined Mayank Agarwal as he went after Jofra Archer in his first over itself. The skipper hit 3 consecutive boundaries getting 13 run of his over. Punjab are 41/0 at the end of 4 overs

Rahul joined Mayank Agarwal as he went after Jofra Archer in his first over itself. The skipper hit 3 consecutive boundaries getting 13 run of his over. Punjab are 41/0 at the end of 4 overs

Smacking Jayadev Unadkat at deep square, Mayank Agarwal has brought up the 100th maximum of the IPL 2020 in the 9th game itself

After a huge six against Ankit Rajpoot, Agarwal smacked Unadkat for a brilliant boundary. Punjab are 16/0

Keeping things tight, Jayadev Unadkat has restricted Punjab from getting off to a flyer. Punjab are 3/0

KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal walk out to bat for Punjab, Jayadev Unadkat has the new ball. 

"There are still some areas that we need to improve on. It was a very thorough, professional work in the last game. We are looking forward to ticking those boxes even in this one. The focus will be on that rather than what the opposition will do. The focus is more internal. Sharjah hasn't changed over the years, from the time I have played. The batters are hitting it out of the park these days. The pitch remains the same. It's a smaller ground compared to Dubai. In terms of skill, the length will be the key, The margin of error is very limited. We have discussed that. Focus on that and not get too worried about the size of the ground. As a bowler, the last thing you want is to go in thinking that the ground is small. It's better to be positive," said Punjab coach Anil Kumble just after the toss. 

• Rajasthan: Jos Buttler, Steven Smith(c), Sanju Samson(w), Robin Uthappa, Rahul Tewatia, Riyan Parag, Tom Curran, Jofra Archer, Shreyas Gopal, Jaydev Unadkat, Ankit Rajpoot
• Punjab: KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Karun Nair, Nicholas Pooran, Sarfaraz Khan, Glenn Maxwell, Jimmy Neesham, Murugan Ashwin, Sheldon Cottrell, Mohammad Shami, Ravi Bishnoi

Skipper Steve Smith wins the toss and Rajasthan will be chasing.

The Sharjah pitch is expected to favour the batsman with batting becoming relatively easier as the game progresses. The last game played there was a run-feast as both sides scored in excess of 200. Pacer will get some movement with the new ball and change of pace will be key for them on the Sharjah pitch. On the other hand, spinners will have a tough time because of the dew and short boundaries. The team winning the toss should opt to bat first as opposed to the trend in the tournament of choosing to bowl first.

READ | Jos Buttler Returns To Rajasthan Squad For Punjab Clash, Fans Predict Storm In Sharjah

Youngster Sanju Samson would be expected to make his bat do the talking once again as he had done against Chennai where he had scored a match-winning half-century by smashing sixes at will. Even skipper Steve Smith would be hoping to make an impact with the bat as well. Meanwhile, the middle-order batsmen including the likes of Robin Uthappa and David Miller who had a forgettable outing in the last game would be eager to prove a point or two against KL Rahul & Co. 

The bowling line-up that includes star English pacer Jofra Archer will be hoping to chip in with wickets at regular intervals. On top of them all, Jos Buttler's selection will boost the morale of the former champions as well. At the same time, it remains to be seen whether the 2019 World Cup winner will be donning the keeper's gloves or will the Rajasthan franchise stick to Sanju Samson?

Coming back to Punjab, their captain KL Rahul had led them from the front in the last game against Bangalore with an unbeaten match-winning 132 and he will be hoping to repeat the same against the northern rivals. His opening partner Mayank Agarwal will also be looking to unleash the pyrotechnics from his bat like he has been doing in the last two games. However, it still remains to be seen whether the 'Universe Boss' Chris Gayle will get his first game of the season or not. 

The 2014 finalists' bowling line-up is one of the best in the tournament. Premier Indian pacer Mohammed Shami and West Indian sensation Sheldon Cottrell have the ability to do some damage with the new ball in hand. Their spin department that boasts of youngster Ravi Bishnoi and Murugan Ashwin can provide some much-needed breakthroughs for Punjab at regular intervals

Both teams are kind of equally matched when it comes to the overall head-to-head records. Out of the 19 matches that the two teams have played so far, Rajasthan have managed 10 wins while Punjab have won the other 9. Therefore, if the 2014 finalists manage to win this one, then both teams will be equally matches in terms of head-to-head records.