IPL returns to action with Punjab edging Rajasthan

AFP | Jaipur

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India Omarzai stars as IPL resumes with Punjab edging Rajasthan

Afghanistan’s Azmatullah Omarzai marked the IPL’s restart with a strong all-round display as Punjab Kings beat Rajasthan Royals by 10 runs on Sunday, moving closer to a playoff berth.

This was the first completed match since the tournament was paused due to the India-Pakistan conflict. Saturday’s game was washed out, but conditions improved in Jaipur, where Punjab posted 219-5 after electing to bat.

Nehal Wadhera top-scored with 70 off 37, supported by Shreyas Iyer (30) and an unbeaten 59 from Shashank Singh. Omarzai added a quick 21* off 9 balls, and later took two key wickets. Punjab had earlier slumped to 34-3, with debutant Mitch Owen out for a two-ball duck, but Wadhera and Shashank revived the innings with aggressive strokeplay in 42°C heat.

In reply, Rajasthan started strong, reaching 89-1 in six overs. Yashasvi Jaiswal smashed 50 off 25, and 14-year-old Suryavanshi Vaibhav Suryavanshi hit 40 off 15. However, spin halted their momentum as Harpreet Brar (3-22) removed both openers.

Captain Sanju Samson (20) and Shimron Hetmyer (11) also fell, both to Omarzai. Dhruv Jurel fought back with a 31-ball 53, but was dismissed by Marco Jansen in the final over as Rajasthan finished on 209-7.

Punjab now sit second in the 10-team table, tied on 17 points with leaders Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The IPL final, originally delayed due to the conflict, is now scheduled for June 3.