RR vs PBKS, 65th Match at Guwahati, IPL, May 15 2024 - Match Result

11.35pm Alright then, a low-scoring thriller draws to a close. That will be all from us tonight. Don't miss the action tomorrow as Gujarat Titans take on Sunrisers Hyderabad. For now, it's Abhimanyu signing off on behalf of Shashank, Thilak and everyone else at ESPNcricinfo. Adios!

11.30pm Time for the presentation ceremony.

PBKS captain, who is also the player of the match - Sam Curran: "I thought we bowled really well as a group. We had a lot of pride to play for. The way the guys came together... Nathan Ellis, the way he played his first game was excellent. Great character from the team. [On the chase] When I went in, Jonny said it was holding a tough. We were trying to build a partnership. Jitesh came in and got in nicely. We didn't need too many risks, just a couple of sixes. I've thoroughly enjoyed the season, thoroughly enjoyed captaining. Quite frustrating to leave, but obviously excited about the World Cup. Hindsight's a wonderful thing. If we win our next game we finish on 12 points. So I feel this team was close to something but it wasn't meant to be. Over the next few seasons, if we can keep some of the really good players, we can go better. Lots of positives. The chase against KKR. Shashank Singh has been amazing, Ashutosh in his debut season. Harshal and Arshdeep have done well as well."

Eric: "KKR to finish top of the league standings for the first time!" Indeed. With Royals' defeat today, KKR are guaranteed a top-of-the-table finish. If this was just a league format competition, the champagne would be coming out in Kolkata tonight! But they know they still have a long, long way to go still. Oh, also, the last two times KKR finished in the top two, they went on to win the league. Ominous signs?

11.15pm Sam Curran's joint-highest IPL score helps Punjab Kings win their fourth away game in a row. It keeps them off the bottom of the table, while giving Rajasthan Royals more to worry about. Royals have now slumped to four defeats on the trot. A second place finish looks difficult for them now. Excellent bowling performance from both teams, but in the end the target was too little to deter PBKS. Curran said at the start that he still wanted PBKS to win their remaining games, he said he wanted his character to rub off on the team. Today he led by example. He was excellent with the ball and he played an incredibly crucial hand with the bat with his team in trouble.

Sanju Samson: "[On the surface] We were expecting wicket to be a touch better. I think it's not a 140-kind of a wicket, we should have got around 160. I think that's where we lost the game. Would have been nicer to have one more bowling option, gets a little tough when you have just five. But I am used to it. And we have quality five bowlers. 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. 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."

Jitesh Sharma: "I had thought I wouldn't even have to bat today, but I am happy I got to bat. I feel relieved because I was able to middle the ball and we won and I could contribute as well so I am very happy. I didn't think there was much in the wicket. It was a little slow, but with a little intent you could score more runs here. Bairstow is going away he wanted to keep for a game, I'll be back with the gloves for the next match. But my fielding isn't bad [laughs]."

Avesh will bowl out

A track and field athlete normally doesn't get a police escort, but Neeraj Chopra isn't normal. The superstar was treated with due reverence at his first event in India after taking Olympic gold, but he proved once again that he was a champion of the people. Oh, and he won gold of course.

One over left for Boult, Sandeep and Avesh. Who will bowl this one? It will be Sandeep Sharma

Charan: "Arshdeep is not a bad batsman and he proved it in international matches. Shouldn't have been replaced" I always feel that when you are bringing an Impact Player in the second innings, you should remove a batter who has already gotten out! Ah well, what do I know?!

Here's Avesh

Chahal bowls out with figures of 2-31

Ashutosh Sharma is predictably on as PBKS' impact player. Arshdeep is the player replaced

Parth: "How many times has Nelson struck this IPL? Happened AGAIN today!!"